Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just aquired a VERY thin and neglected fat-tail. When I say thin, I mean digustingly emaciated... I can see all her bones, even her spine and skull. She was dropped off at the petstore I work at, and I took her home with me to try and help her out.

She eats and drinks fine, she loves crickets, so her problem seems to be with more prior neglect than sickness.

What can I do to add some weight to this poor girl?? Will vitamin-dusted crickets and mealworms be enough, or should she be getting anything else too?

Thanks for the help in advance.

I am not sure if this will help but I used to have a gecko (he passed away) that was born "without any survival skills" according to the vet. I was told to force feed (with a syringe without a needle) boost or ensure and give him jumpstart (i think that is what it is called). Problems with this: you have to be REALLY carefull when forcing them to take in a fluid because it can get into their lungs and they drown (so this is a last ditch effort, as it was for me) but it does have a lot of calories and does not hurt the gecko, so maybe if you put some on her lips and have her lick it off, this will take time but may work. Second the jump start worked well, once again i hated shoving it in his mouth so i just put it on his lips and had him lick it off, both have a lot of calories and can be a good addition to crickets. unfortunately my gecko was really far gone when i got him (my first one and i didnt realize how sick he was, just thought he was small) and i lost him but these were the suggestions of the vet... Best of luck!!!!
-D

I forgot, I talked to my vet about the gecko I have now (he is about 5.5 years old) and he said it is ok to give him jumpstart even when he is eatting well just for some extra calories, he if a fat boy though so i dont think he needs them haha

You should get a fecal test done. If she is eating and not gaining weight she may have parasites.
Also be sure to feed the crickets well.
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Sarah H

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