9 week leopard gecko not eating
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It's important that baby leo's eat everday to ensure healthy growth.
To be honest I would have a check up with the vets to check he has no parasites etc.
Do you know the history of him, how old he is, was he captive bred and kept with other hatchlings? what substrate he was kept on?
Also what is the set up you have , temps etc?
Han
To be honest I would have a check up with the vets to check he has no parasites etc.
Do you know the history of him, how old he is, was he captive bred and kept with other hatchlings? what substrate he was kept on?
Also what is the set up you have , temps etc?
Han
he is a about 9 weeks old and was keep on what looked like cat litter it the pet shop with 3 other leoprad geckos which looked about the same age and size. I am keeping him in a 2 foot wooded viv with kitchen roll for the substanes with two hides for him. With a red light heat bulb, his temp is about 80 at the hot end and 75 at the cool end and he is moving around abit at night and looks at his food but ive not seen him eat any for two days which is different to the first few days when i got him he was eating about 10 crickets a day and ate as soon as he saw them.
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Temps seem fine and he may be eating when you are not looking as they are nocturnal, but its a little worrying that he was kept on cat litter stuff before you had him. You are doing the best thing by keeping him on kitchen roll but it would be a good adea to make sure he's not impacted at vets.
Waxies are ok but not that nutritious for youngsters as they are very fatty. Also they can like them 'too' much and get fussy with other food. They are the same as mcdonalds are to us!
Is he still pooping? Also mealworms are not good for young leo's as the chitin shell is too hard for them to digest and end up using well needed reserves to try and digest it. I would keep to either small crickets or locusts.
Han
Waxies are ok but not that nutritious for youngsters as they are very fatty. Also they can like them 'too' much and get fussy with other food. They are the same as mcdonalds are to us!
Is he still pooping? Also mealworms are not good for young leo's as the chitin shell is too hard for them to digest and end up using well needed reserves to try and digest it. I would keep to either small crickets or locusts.
Han
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It could be exactly that hun, leo's do lose their appetite before shedding so wait and see how he is after that. If he eats his skin and poops following i'm sure he will be fine.
If his poop looks normal I wouldn't worry yet. I know how panicky it can be at any sign of abnormality but I'm sure he will be ok
Have kept quite a few leo's now and raised hatchlings so my nerves have been up and down!
Also keep him off the meal worms until he is a little older - they won't help anything. Try giving him locusts or black crickets as they have the most nutritional value and will make sure he grows up to eb a abig healthy leo!
Oh also do you have a wet box set up to help with shedding - it's really important to make sure no skin stayes on his toes or eyes!
Han x
If his poop looks normal I wouldn't worry yet. I know how panicky it can be at any sign of abnormality but I'm sure he will be ok
Have kept quite a few leo's now and raised hatchlings so my nerves have been up and down!Also keep him off the meal worms until he is a little older - they won't help anything. Try giving him locusts or black crickets as they have the most nutritional value and will make sure he grows up to eb a abig healthy leo!
Oh also do you have a wet box set up to help with shedding - it's really important to make sure no skin stayes on his toes or eyes!
Han x
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If he looks quite pale and you expect him to shed soon it should be over in a matter of hours - some of my leo's do it in the space of walking in and out of a room - like magic!! He will probably do it overnight!
They should shed every 2-4 weeks, it all depends on their habitat and speed of growth. You will probably notice that the skin looks as though it's slightly coming away from the body and they should start rubbing themselves on hides and the walls of viv. Thatswhy its vital for them to ahve a wet box. If you don't haev one yet, just get a tub (like a butter tub) and cut a small hole on side for them to walk in. Put moist moss/kitchen towel on bottom and the heat should cause slight humididty in there for them to ease skin on toes. If you see ANY stuck skin on toes you will need to remove it with a coton bud as it will cut off circulation to toes and they will drop off or become infected - not nice!
If you get any pic's pop them up and I could guess how close he is to shedding.
Han x
They should shed every 2-4 weeks, it all depends on their habitat and speed of growth. You will probably notice that the skin looks as though it's slightly coming away from the body and they should start rubbing themselves on hides and the walls of viv. Thatswhy its vital for them to ahve a wet box. If you don't haev one yet, just get a tub (like a butter tub) and cut a small hole on side for them to walk in. Put moist moss/kitchen towel on bottom and the heat should cause slight humididty in there for them to ease skin on toes. If you see ANY stuck skin on toes you will need to remove it with a coton bud as it will cut off circulation to toes and they will drop off or become infected - not nice!
If you get any pic's pop them up and I could guess how close he is to shedding.
Han x
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oops sorry to add about food! He should have his appetite back the following day, 2 at most!
If he still hasn't eaten then try dropping some mushed up waxies mixed with calcium and vitamins on the end of his nose and he should lick it off and get the taste for food back!
If he still hasn't eaten then try dropping some mushed up waxies mixed with calcium and vitamins on the end of his nose and he should lick it off and get the taste for food back!
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Some great advice, and most pleasing, a good outcome !
well done all !
well done all !
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