Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my gecko over 6 months now, and he's been fine until now. He doesn't want to eat. I cleaned his cage 2 days ago and he hasn't even used the bathroom yet since I cleaned it. He looks ok to me (I'm not an expert though). He is on paper towels, so it can't be sand impaction. What do I do? Please help.

How old is your Leo? Also, we would need to have some information on your setup such as:
* What are you using as the substrate (floor covering)?
* Approximately when was the last time he pooped?
* What are the substrate temps on the warm side, cool side temps?
* How many hides do you have in the enclosure?
* Do you have a humid hide?
* What are you feeding your Leo?
* Do you supplement your Leo with calcium & vitamins?
* Does your Leo appear normal other than not eating?
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www.StoplightCityLeopardGeckos.com

How old is your Leo?
he was small when i got him, so less than a year old.

Also, we would need to have some information on your setup such as:
* What are you using as the substrate (floor covering)?
paper towels

* Approximately when was the last time he pooped?
less than a week i believe, but maybe 5 days

* What are the substrate temps on the warm side, cool side temps?
don't know exact temp, the room temp is usually 75ish, the warm side has an under tank heater

* How many hides do you have in the enclosure?
2 hides, one on the cool side, and a humid hide on the warm side

* Do you have a humid hide?
yes

* What are you feeding your Leo?
mealworms

* Do you supplement your Leo with calcium & vitamins?
have a small dish of calcium (cuttle bone powder) and have supplements his food gets shaken in before feeding

* Does your Leo appear normal other than not eating?
yes, he looks ok, but just isn't eating

Here's a pic of his cage:

Have you taken a fecal to the vet for tests?

They can look healthy, act healthy and not be healthy. Find a herp vet in your area, and take a fecal if you can get one.

A way to help stimulate a pooh is a warm soak. Use warm water to the mid of his/her body and soak for 15 min.

If you can't get pooh, due to no more food in his/her system, try the slurry, that is on this website. I have not had to use it but most of the best breeders swear by it. www.usageckos.com/info_tipstricks.html
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www.LeopardGeckoBreeder.com

www.LeopardGeckoArt.com

5.13.1 Leos
1.0 Peach Fronted Conure
0.0.2 Red Ear Sliders
1.0 Pembroke Corgi
0.2 Cats
8 fish

I really wouldnt recommend force feeding slurry to a brumating gecko.
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1.0 Hypo stripe, Het Rainwater from JL (BJ)
1.0 HypoTang from Crested (Apricot)
1.0 Tremper Albino (Cloud)
0.2 Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Pepper)
0.1 Normal (Freckles)
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko (Brite)
0.1 Tangy Mutt Leopard Gecko (Rainbow)
0.1 Tremper Albino (Leucy)
RIP Peaches, Ghost, Bill
Hatched: ~25
Holdbacks: 1.0 SHCTB- nice surprise! and 0.1 jungle
Available:
1.0 aberrant m, 0.1 pastel F, 9 month male circleback tang

I don't think your Leo would be brumating (Leo's version of hibernation) as he sounds a little young for that. I agree a fecal sample for testing by a vet would be a good idea. Of course if he isn't pooing, you'll have to take him in and the vet can usually get a sample.

Your setup sounds pretty good. One thing you should add though is a digital thermometer with a probe. It is really important to know the temp on top of the substrate on the warm side in particular. It should be kept between 88-93 degrees. This will insure that your Leo is able to properly digest his food. I buy really nice digital thermometers with probes at Walmart really cheap, around $8.00. I like these better than any others I've had because the probe is flat on one side.

Sometimes leos do simply go on a hunger strike, maybe he's bored with mealworms. You might try giving him some crickets and see what happens. If you have a pet store that sells Superworms (not Giant mealworms, they are different) you might give those a try too.

Hopefully he's fine and will resume eating soon. But, as stated before in the post by Ballonzforu a quick trip to the vet for a fecal test couldn't hurt a thing. Keep us updated on how he's doing
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www.StoplightCityLeopardGeckos.com