Leo dying

Rebecca · 07-23-03, 06:56 PM

I have a leopard gecko that is dying, and the vets don't know why. She is not eating, and is loosing weight very quickly. I took her to a couple different vet's and they have no idea what's wrong. We did a fecal and it's clean. It's not impaction, she's on papertowel. I was just wondering if anyone could give me an idea, that can maybe help.

damzookeeper · 07-23-03, 08:11 PM

what size are the prey she is eating? Papertowel is the best substrate but if it is a young gecko it could still get an impaction if it is eating insects too big for it or large insects with lots of chitin. Just an idea. I really have no idea other than that. Have you tried warm baths? Also, if I remember right it can be very dangerous but I had a beardie baby inpacted over a year ago and the vet did, I guess what you would call, an enima 2x to her. SHe was really sick for a couple days and had to be syringed fed pedialite but on the third day she started coming around and she is a wonderful 13 month old, big girl today.

Not that I'm saying to do this at all, just sharing my experience. I hope you find out what is wrong with her soon, they can go down hill really fast.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Rebecca · 07-23-03, 09:03 PM

She was eating mealworms. Once in a while crickets because we don't get them here very often.

Tim and Julie B · 07-23-03, 09:06 PM

How long has she been fasting for? Is she still pooping?

damzookeeper · 07-23-03, 09:59 PM

is this one of the babies? How old is she and what size where the meal worms she was given?

Alicewave · 07-23-03, 10:28 PM

Did you run a crypto test? They don't test for it in the regular fecal.

fanmaninacan · 07-23-03, 10:49 PM

No point to let it suffer,

A twist of the neck will let the little guy rest in peace...
unless u can get it better------somehow

T.P

Rebecca · 07-23-03, 11:02 PM

fanmaninacan you may have ment well but you could have said it differently. This a a leo I am actually attached to. Anyway it's not one of my babies, they're fine. I feed her medium sized mealworms. She's about 1 1/2. She did a crypto and it's clean. She stopped eatting about 2 weeks ago. But she stopped eating on her own about a month ago. This is the gecko that I figured had worms but she's clean. I'll try to post a pic of how skinny she has gotten. Her tail is a pencil and you can see her spine kinda sticking up, when she arches her back. The vet's and I have no idea what's wrong.

damzookeeper · 07-24-03, 05:00 AM

man, that is tough! I hadn't realized she was a big girl, in my last posts I thought maybe it was one of the babies. I doubt if she is in cooling this time of year and a pencil think tail is something to worry about. You said you tried a couple vets, where they very experienced with leos? If so I really don't know what to tell you, I"m baffled along with you. I'm so sorry for your situation, I know how you feel about being attached to one and trying to make the best decision.
We'll say a little prayer for her and think of you today. Good luck with her again, and hope you find her problem soon.

Samba · 07-24-03, 10:10 AM

I'm sorry to hear about your gecko. I cannot offer any advice other than to cherish the time you have with it. I do hope you find the cause of death eventually, though because not knowing can be more painfull than losing the animal. I wish the best of luck.

Rebecca · 07-24-03, 03:19 PM

She actually ate 2 crickets today!!!!

I'm so excited!!! Maybe there is hope for her yet. The closest reptile vet is in Sask to far away. Although I did have one vet spend 2 days on the phone with one college exotic vet teacher, and they could not figure it out. I guess the teacher is the best around. Anyway I'm going to buy some more crickets and see if I can get her to eat them. Also the vet said to get gatorade to make sure she does not loose too much water, what do you guys think?? Should I?? I have seen her drinking so I don't know if I should or not.

Samba · 07-24-03, 04:29 PM

Rebecca - I wouldn't recommend Gatorade (sugars), but I would put a few drops of Pedialyte into your gecko's water bowl. If you notice your gecko has stopped drinking completely, offer Pedialyte via syringe plain or mixed with some yummy chicken baby food. Make sure s/he it keeps eating and try to get it to a vet as soon as possible.... remember... the vet being too far away is not an excuse. If it were your child, (and many of us here think our leos are our children) it would not be a problem. Good Luck and keep us updated on it's progress!

Rebecca · 07-24-03, 05:02 PM

I love my geckos I really do, but I live in B.C, I don't have the time or the resources to go to Sask to see a actual herp vet. Even if I did I can't get the time from work. I have taken her to other ones here in town, I'd even drive the 2 or 3 hours to another town if they had a herp vet but they don't. I'm going to try the pedilite. Will it hurt any of my other geckos?? Right now she is in with 2 other ones. (I tried putting her in a tank by herself but she just got depressed I guess, she didn't move wouldn't drink nothing, I put her back in the other one and she was happier. Moving around still not eating but drinking and that. I guess she just want's to be with her friends right now.) Anyway I will keep you guys all posted on how she is. Thank you by the way for caring and trying to help me and my geckos out. I sometimes find it just amazing that there is actually other's out there that love their pets as much as I do. Thanks agian.

damzookeeper · 07-24-03, 05:06 PM

I agree with Samba on the gatorade, I was going to write the same thing but she beat me to it. lol. Definately use pedialite or pediasure or ensure.
But about the vet I don't totally agree, I found that was a bit harsh. I know that can be hard, especially if the only herp vet is in the next provence! I know you are trying your best and wish you all the luck with her, I hope she continues to eat for you. It would be great if you could get her to a herp vet, but I realize that is not always easy. And you did take her to a couple non herp vets, so I would definately consider that trying your hardest!

If she is drinking the pedialite or ensure and chicken baby food would be great, you can also make a leo slurpy to help fatten her up.

Here is what you need.
In a blender...
1 can of ensure (I was told strawberry is one of the best)
24 mealies
12-24 crickets
12 super worms
24 waxworms
12 butterworms
12 silkies
teaspoon of chicken baby food
4 pinched of calcium powder
2 pinches multivit
2 pinched calcium with vit.D
Blend very well.
Pour into ice cube trays and freeze.
Once frozen you can put them into a freezor bag and mark them leo slurpy.

Pull them out one cube at a time when you need them. Defrost and use in a syringe.

Good luck.

damzookeeper · 07-24-03, 05:14 PM

I posted before seeing your last post and I noticed you have your sick girl in with others, I highly recomend you taking her out of there a.s.a.p. I realize she may be a little stressed from the move but you are endagering all the geckos in that tank if she stays there, especially not knowing what is wrong with her. If it is a parasite prbolem she could very well spred it to all the geckos in there with her. The best thing would be to give her a tank beside them where she can still see them but not be in contact with them. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before handling your geckos, try to handle her last and wash your hands again afterwards. I know you want her to be happy but if she remains with the others you could end up losing all three instead of just one.

Please keep us updated and continue to ask anyquestions or post any comments you might think that will help figure out what is wrong with her.