Leopard Gecko question....?

Question

I have an approx 8 month old leo and she will not eat! After months of everything I put in there for her to eat dying (not getting eaten) and her looking like she was going to die, I started force feeding and forcing water w/ an eye dropper. She doesn't mind the water part, but it's getting harder to force worms down her. And at that its only one wax worm everyother day. I was doing it everyday, but I don't want to traumatize her too much and she seems to be doing fine other than she still wont eat on her own.) What can I do to get her to hunt the things I put in there?? Will a companion help or hurt? I don't really want a male and have to deal w/ babies. The lizard was a birthday gift for my son and he's never taken care of her, I have. I'm ready to sell her or give her away at this point. I don't mind feeding her everyday and the normal care, but this force feeding thing is getting old. Any advice???

Answer 1

What type of substrate are you using (flooring)?  If it's anything loose, please remove it immediately and replace (for now) with paper towels.  Impaction in leo's is unfortunately common (bad pet store advice)!  Impaction is a blockage in the gut that prevents bowl movements, and can be fatal in bad cases.  A vet will be able to check for impaction.  Also, worms or parasites can cause a leo to go off feed, a fecal smear would be a good idea.

What heat source are you using and what are your temps (hot & cool side).  I prefer to use an under-tank heater (uses less energy and easier to control) and I keep my warm side between 88-94*F (monitor with a digital temp gauge with a probe that's measuring the ground temps...leo's need belly heat to digest).  Dial, stick-on or analog temp gauges only measure ambiant air temps!

Also, waxies are notortiously addicting and herps will often refuse other food items that are better for them (think offering a 5 year old kid the choice between asparagus and a Twinkie!).  It's comparitive to reptile crack!  I would suggest silkies and phoenix worms, which are soft bodied (in case she is impacted, they're easier to digest and are great from a nutrition standpoint).  Once she's eating on her own again, crickets, roaches and mealies can be re-introduced to her diet.  Leo's are strictly insectivores, so no pinkies or anything of that nature!  They bodies are not designed to handle it.

Are you supplementing with a multivitamin and PURE calcium?  I leave a dish of calcium in the tank at all times, a soda bottle cap works well!  Dust with multivitamins 2x a week...I use Herpavite by Rep-Cal (blue label).  

Please do not introduce another reptile ... leo's are in general solitary, and the new leo may become ill as well.  Stress is the last thing your leo needs right now, and that's what adding another reptile into her enclosure will do!

You can find good HERP vets at: www.arav.com  Also check out:

www.reptilerooms.com

www.drgecko.com

for good care sheets!  Good luck!  ~Michelle

**I think leo's can lay infertile eggs...check some posts one reptile rooms...the leo forum's pretty good there.