My lepard gecko which is 10 months old has recently stopped eating its mealworms altogether??

Question

For a good 2 weeks now it has not eaten.. it is ok living off the fat in its tail but its needs to eat. i went to my pet store and they gave me an idea that it might be constipated but it isn't that and still she just turns her head away from the meal worms and crickets that i try to give to her. If this has happened to anyone then please tell me how to solve this before she starts getting too thin. Thanks to anyone with an idea :)

Answer 1

If you have only been feeding mealworms then it's possible she is blocked up due to the chitinous shells. Warm bath to help her p**p and if that doesn't work then you need a vet ASAP. The diet should be mostly crickets, not worms. Wax worms, superworms, butter worms are all other types that you can feed also to give a bigger variety and more nutirents.  

Answer 2

could be the first signs of impaction has it been passing stools (pooping) if not reptile vet asap

and never take sick animals to the pets store they'll just try and sell u something that more than likely wont help

Answer 3

Yes, this has happened to me! My leopard gecko was about 1 1/2 years old and she refused to eat. The vet actually said that it was ok, that they don't need to eat nearly as often as I thought. She didn't eat for about three weeks, then suddenly started catching crickets again. The pet store guy told me to turn the temperature down a bit, and that this is actually healthy for them. And yeah, they do know a lot on retiles. Don't ask me why, but mine was just fine and is perfectly normal now.

Answer 4

your leopard gecko might be having a hard time digesting its food. so make sure you sprinkle calcium powder  on its food. this will aid it in digestion and make the gecko more attracted to the food. if this doesn't work try giving it a natural supplement insted of it's normal mealworms or crickets. Any pet store will carry these products like petco or pet smart just ask some one to help you so you pick the right one. if not hears the number for a reptile center they will answer any questions you have and they'll give you advice on how to solve the problem                                   # 631-737-6474      

Answer 5

Try giving her some different food, how would you feel eating the same food for so long, try mixing it up!

Answer 6

Ok, I will tell you this now. GET TO AN EXOTIC VET!!!

This could be VERY life threatening. Mine had the same problem and became very sick and it also became very pricey. Have you tried feeding it wax worms? Those were a fatty TREAT for mine. Try to get her some of those. They really don't do anything nutrition wise. But if she will eat them maybe she can pass stool. Which would be a good thing. But like I said, pet stores really know nothing when it comes to the health on the animal. Get to an Exotic Vet asap!

Answer 7

I would give a variety first of all, try waxworms. Waxworms are probably the most fattiest dessert for reptiles ever. If she doesn't eat them, try butterworms. If that doesn't work, I would go and give her a few baths. Not just one. Three generally will work to make her go p**p. However you said that she is going p**p, but I would still try this. Then go to the vet if it doesn't happen. Hopefully it's not constipation, don't trust a pet store.

I would really just think it's a variety issue. Your ten month gecko isn't full size, so don't try to feed it pinky mice, or locusts. Another thing to try is flightless fruit flies. Those are healthy for them. Silkworms are very healthy too. Earthworms or insects from your backyard are nice too.

Hope I could help.

  

Answer 8

It could be the seasonal change.  It will often put reptiles off their feed for a bit, but she should have started eating again by now.  Check your husbandry.  Use a good digital probe thermometer, or a Infrared temperature gun.  Make sure her warm end and basking areas are warm enough.

Please stop feeding her meal worms.  Read this link:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Impaction .  Most reptiles find meal worms very difficult to digest, and they can cause impaction.  You're offering her very little nutrition, compared to the tough packaging it comes in.

As already mentioned, gut loaded crickets, Phoenix, Silk, and Butter worms are good choices for adding a bit of variety with the crickets.  Make sure you dust them every 3-4 days with reptile vitamins & calcium with D3 (if she's not taking calcium from a bowl). Insects should be no larger than the space between her eyes.

If you decide to try to tempt her with a wax worm, be careful.  They can be addictive and put her off eating the other types of insects she needs.  The other soft grub types worms mentioned above are a much better choice.

Even though you say she is still eliminating, she has the classic 'symptoms' of impaction.  I would recommend 2-3 15 min. warm soaks daily, and VERY GENTLY massage her tummy towards her vent.  Keep this up for 2-3 days.

If you don't see any change, and she does resume eating, then it's time to take her to the vet.  One of the first indications that a reptile is ill is when it goes off its feed.  They are slow to show signs of illness, and by the time they exhibit symptoms, it's usually pretty progressed.  They are also slow to heal, so time is important.

I hope she's feeling better soon, and I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.