Hi guys, I've been working with this family over the phone to try and help save a leo (they got my number from a local pet store) I don't keep leo's (yet) so I need a little help. Here's where we are so far.

HI JAY
SPOT LIKED HIS WARM BATH BUT HE DID NOT TAKE TO THE CRUSHED BANANA TO GOOD
WE MANAGED TO GET SOME DOWN HIM. WE ALSO PUT THREE CRICKETS IN THE CAGE AND
THEY ARE GONE HE POOPED WHICH LOOKS LIKE LIQUIDY BANANA. HE IS SO THIN YOU
CAN SEE THE BONES IN HIS LEGS AND BACK. HE SEEMS LETHARGIC. I AM STUMPED
BECAUSE HE IS EATING A LITTLE BUT STILL SO THIN HIS TAIL IS A QUARTER OF THE
SIZE OF HIS BODY VERY THIN. HELP
CHARLOTTE
This is the email I received today!

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Answers are great. But I prefer questions!

Visit me at www.jaysreptiles.com

a few questions?

how old is the gecko?
how long have they had it?
why did they give it a warm bath?
why were they feeding it bananas?
has it always been this skinny?
how often do they "dust" its food?
do they keep a calcium dish in the tank?
what temps are it kept at?

sorry for all the questions but im as lost as you are on this one...lemme know

I would say definitely a vet check is in order. Sounds like it might have parasites or coccidia. They could try some of the powder repti-aid to assist in stimulating his appetite and to keep him hydrated.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Here's the problem, they are new and listened to the pet store.
They had: no thermometer
a 75 watt lightbulb on a 10 gallon tank
it's tail was fat, now it's skinny

What I told them (just to get started)
get a thermometer
rehydration (hence the warm bath) and in case of impaction
it wasn't eating it's crix so I asked what fruits and veggies they had.
get a stool sample to check for parasites.

I offered to make a house call and look at the set up, we'll have to see what happens. At least it ate some crix today. I really think it was just way to hot in the enclosure. And I sent them the link to the caresheet here. Thanks guys I'll keep you informed.

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Answers are great. But I prefer questions!

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Jay,,,,I don't think my Leopard Geckos would eat banana if they were starving to death. To get some quick fat in em I would give the guy a few waxworms coated with reptocal. ANd keep giving him crickets dusted w/ reptocal. (gut load the crix first, for this I use cricket gutload withcalcium, fresh fruits and vegs- preferably high in calcium) also place a small dish with calcium powder in the viv.

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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

Great Jay, keep us informed.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

I know this one is hard guys, especially working over the phone, but I'll take anything I can get.

__________________
Answers are great. But I prefer questions!

Visit me at www.jaysreptiles.com

Jay, so sorry to hear of this little one's situation.. I understand that people take in what they are advised, but I believe both the pet shop owner and the owners of the gecko are at fault here - the owners should have done their research before buying the gecko, and shouldn't have just relyed on one source. Anyway, lecture over!

I sure do hope the little guy gets better - if they got him when he was healthy and he is now in this state, how long have they had him?? And how long has he been like this? ..it would take a while to go from being so well to being so ill. I have no other suggestions apart from those already given - make his conditions and housing accurate and suitable, feed him lots, and take him to the vet! Even if this is due to too-high temps, he could have parasites or an infection as a result of stress from being in the wrong conditions. They need to get him to a vet and then begin to hopefully make him better.

Please keep us updated on the poor little fella.

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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

Ken's idea of using waxworms to fatten the little guy up should help, but butterworms are also high in fat, and from what I found out recently, they're apparently high in calcium too.

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+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

What kind of substrate they are using...they easily can get impacted by sand or reptisand products.....and ditto the others for advice....lyn

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Warmest Regards from Lyn