Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a few african fatties that won't eat. they are getting a little thin. I have mealworms available for them in a dish and also 5 or so dusted crickets everynight, but they are still there in the morning so I remove them and try again the next night. I have a male who is getting thin looking and a seperatley caged female who isnt quit an adult yet. They both have a hide and watter. I mist there cage a little everynight b4 i go 2 bed, and one is on paper towels and the other is on bed-a-beast. I have several others who are in similar environments who are doing well, even better then when i got them. It has been 2-4 weeks that they have been like this. I have bought some appetite plus that i have been giving them for about 4 days now. The male will also only eat pinkies wich I give him about every 9 days just so i know hes eating. the female is too small for pinkies.
I also have 2 male leos(caged seperatly) that wont eat anyhting else just a pinkie every 9 days or so. HELP!!!

What are your substrate temperatures and what are you measuring your temps with?

Have you taken a fecal sample to the vet to be tested for internal parasites? Stress can make them vulnerable to parasitic infestation which will casue them not to eat. Of course if they aren't eating at all, a fecal may be difficult to obtain.

How long have you had these problem eaters for? What is the appetite plus and what are it's ingredients?

This slushy recipe from GoldenGateGeckos may help:

1 small can Hill's A/D pet food (available at most vets)
1/4-1/3 cup Ensure (not chocolate)
1 jar baby food squash
1/4-1/3 cup Pedialite
2 tablets or contents of 2 capsules milk thistle (herbal supplement, liver purifier, found at most drug stores.)
1/2 tsp. each calcium powder and herp vitamin powder
1 large handful of mealworms, added slowly while mixture is blending

Puree all ingredients until completely smooth, and pour into ice cube tray(s) and freeze. Store cubes in zip-lock bag in the freezer until ready to use, then thaw out 1 cube at a time and store in fridge for 2-3 days. I use the empty baby food jar for this purpose, washing it thoroughly after each batch.

Using this mixture, draw a full dropper (eye dropper type) and place a drop on the gecko's nose. It will lick it off, and as it does, slowly squeeze out a little at a time. Most geckos love this food, and will lap it up."

If the appetite plus you are using doesn't help or isn't suitable, you can put a small amount of grapefruit seed extract into their water to help stilualte appetite, or you could try acidophiliz ( http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?ref=7&products_id=227 ) which a lot of people have used with rescues and problem eaters with success.

Good Luck!!