hi

sick Leopard Gecko
My 10 year old purchased a leopard gecko about 1 month ago. We were in and out most of the weekend and on Sunday night when we fed it I noticed its tail had shrunk. It seems also to have loose stools. Its seems to have eaten a few crickets this week and I have managed to feed it some water with electrolits in it with a dropper. Its poop also smells is this common? Help we are new owners and my daughter will be very upset if "spike" dies

What temps are you keeping the little guy at ?

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

its 90 and I am keeping its house just to the side so it may be a little cooler there

Hello,

Welcome to the HC Network. It sounds like the leo has parasites. I would suggest taking some of the stool to the vet to have a fecal done.

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.:: Rich ::.

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Welcome sarahjoy!

Hope everything works out for you!

Steve

I'm with Rich, just about any vet will run a fecal float exam for under $25 and they will be able to twell you if and what parasites the leo might have.
Can you describe the enclosure too?
You came to the right place for advice, and i'm glad you realize that herp keeping can't just be put upon the shoulders of your daughter, it is truley a family affair!

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welcome to HC! glad you joined us. hope everything goes well with your leo.

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its been a week now and the tail is still shrunk. It seems to be eating the smaller crickets and not the bigger ones. its seems to be weaker I am feeding it water with electrolyes in it by a dropper> not sure how much is ok to give it and how often
thanks for the feedback

This really sounds like a problem that only the vet can help with. It would be a good idea to get a faecel done if you haven't already done so to eliminate or treat parasites and infection.

I'm not quite sure I understand your description of its tail "shrinking" - do you mean it is getting thinner?

How old is the gecko? Can you describe the enclosure and other temps? If it is eating and defacating but losing weight you really need to have it checked for parasites.

As for the smaller crickets, if the gecko is only young you should only be feeding it smallish crickets anyway not big ones - the general rule is to feed items no bigger than the space between the lizard's eyes.

Hope you have better news for us soon.

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"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004