Sick Leopard gecko.... HELP!!!!

[lilhildy]

My nephew told me his leopard is sick but when i went to check it out its extremely skiny like skin and bones and when fed dusted gut loaded crickets it throws them back up within 24 hours. I am not sure how to give first aid to a leopard gecko as I am an anphibian and arachnid freak myself. Please help!!!!! My nephew is 12 and highly worried about his lizard 'Lizzy', what can i do to help it recover and get weight back on it?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[beetleman]

if it's throwing the food back up,it may have internal parasites(worms),first try alittle baby food w/alittle calcium(very little),but i would have a vet check it over,good luck

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Vet vet vet. Vet. Vet. Forget everything else, forget trying to save it yourself, you probably can't. This is NOT a matter of first aid, this is a matter for an immediate trip to the reptile emergency room. So don't delay: VET.

Something doesn't add up here--a lizard doesn't become "skin and bones" overnight. How long has it been showing symptoms?

 

[AneesasMuse]

Vet. That's all you can do at this point... and by all means, PLEASE go to a reputable Exotics Vet. I've heard of way too many Leos dying because the Vet miscalculated the Ivermectin dose or whatever the anti-parasitic of choice may be. (I prefer Panacur, but you still need to know basic algebra to calculate the dose properly )

Good Luck!

 

[ChainsawMonkey]

They're right. Take Lizzy to the vet, he or she might die if medical attention isn't sought immediatly.

 

[MissConnie]

I have no knowledge on leopard geckos but even im screaming VETVETVET!
that animal NEEDS to be at the vet!
Good luck!

 

[AneesasMuse]

Miss Carmela Boogy and I would like to know how the Leo is doing, please?

 

[lilhildy]

update

Lizzy is still hanging in there and other than being skinny and tossing up food, seems to be herself. Have appt. with highly recomended Herp vet but can't get her in until tuesday of next week. (the 4th) I am going to try to feed her som high call reptil suppliment mixed with baby food to keep her energy up and pray she makes it till then.
Interesting that you mentioned panacur for geckos... we have used that on horses, kittens and puppies growing up round farms. It would be a micro dose for a leo seeing that its mixed by body wieght... the calcs are easy and I have done them before for other animals but can't measure that small accurately or i would probably just mix it myself but i don't have a digital scale. (organic chem background with my bio degree.)

I will update when she gets to see the vet on tues.

 

[AneesasMuse]

Good luck at the Vet and we'll be hoping Lizzy has a complete turn around.

Btw, Carmela Boogy is my own little Leo baby... she's a sweetie that actually "boogies" when it's feeding time

 

[Rain_Flower]

Btw, Carmela Boogy is my own little Leo baby... she's a sweetie that actually "boogies" when it's feeding time

That name is adorable.

And even though I haven't posted on this thread before, I have been reading it and I also hope that you little girl makes through alright. Good luck

 

[lilhildy]

After the third mirco scopic dose of panacure, Lizzy started eating again and keeping them down. I was still giving her electrolite suplimented water by hand with a dropper each night and a little hi-cal reptile supliment but saddly she didn't make it.

Not sure if we will be getting my nephew another lizard or not at this point. Thank you for everyone's advice and concern.

 

[AneesasMuse]

I'm sorry to hear ...umm, read.. that Lizzy didn't make it. It sounds like you tried everything you could at the end.

Maybe you can wait until your nephew has matured a bit and can handle the responsibility of another lizard. Leopards really are a great beginner reptile, for most.

Thanks for the update.. take care!

 

[OTwolfe]

I"m sorry for your loss. Usually leopard geckos are good keepers for a beginner, I hope this doesn't turn you guys off to lizards in general. Well, it's happily chasing lots of tastey bugs in the sky. Many hugs to you all.

 

[lilhildy]

I am still pointing the cause at poor house keeping since there was lizard poo all through the tank when i was notified that she was sick. Kept clean i think this could have all been avoided.

Yeah , i don't see another lizard until he learns that daily care is a must. He'll get there.

 

[myrmecophile]

How long had he had the lizard before it became symptomatic, and where did he get it? I would not be at all surprised if it had the parasites or illness prior to him getting it. A very good reason to not buy from anyone other than a reputable breeder.

 

[lilhildy]

He has had it for almost a year before symtoms were evident. She was originally purchased from a local Petsmart here in PA. I was the one who picked out which one for him to find the healthiest one out of their stock. Although now that you mention that we were always having to feed her heavy to keep weight on...

 

[ShawnH]

Sorry to hear about the lizard. I'd say get him a snake, they are easier and don't require any complicated UV lighting or vitamins like lizards.

 

[Jmugleston]

Sorry to hear about the lizard. I'd say get him a snake, they are easier and don't require any complicated UV lighting or vitamins like lizards.

Leopard geckos are nocturnal. No UV needed. You seem to put a lot of faith in UV lights. Why? If they were such a requirement (they aren't) why wouldn't a diurnal snake need them?

 

[ShawnH]

I know they dont need UV. Alot of lizards do though. Snakes don't seem to need UV at all.


Edit: look up metabolic bone desease.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Edit: look up metabolic bone desease.

That's a wee bit arrogant, and I think you misunderstood the question. Granted, the other person thought you meant that every lizard ever needs UV, which *is* wrong, even if not what you meant.