Hey folks, I need your help. My tokay is acting quite strange and isn't appearing to eat.

Some background info is that I've had Spartacus for a little over two years, and I'd roughly say its about ten-eleven inches long. Right now I can't measure with real accuracy because it won't climb. I noticed that about two weeks ago it hadn't fully removed its old shed from its body, so I increased my mistings to two-three times a day to increase humidity in the cage. The only major change was going from a reptile bark (All Living Things) to a reptile carpet, and the cause for that was to make it easier to see if defecating regularly. Also as I mentioned before, it won't climb. Before, it use to only stay on the walls. However, the last time I was cleaning its cage (18" l x 18" w x 24" h), when I placed it back in the cage, I thought it had grabbed a hold of the glass, when in fact it only grabbed on to the plant hanging and it slipped and fell roughly 8" to the bottom.

Furthermore, two nights ago when I picked it up to check it for anything unusual, its body went stiff, the toes curled upwards, its tail spazzed and it looked as though it wasn't breathing. After some cooing it relaxed a little and then when I petted its back, it barked at me. It has moved since then, but it still isn't eating. All in all, it just isn't acting right. I tried the Fluker's first aid formula to try and get it to eat, but it won't lap it up. I've run out of ideas. Unfortunately, I can't financially afford to take it to a vet, as they are quite expensive here in Tennessee.

Please, I'd love to hear any ideas as to what could be the problem!

Thank you all and god bless!

I'm sorry but your only route is to take it to a qualified vet.
By the time you try and guess what is wrong he'll probably be dead.
Vet expenses are something that must be taken into consideration when purchasing any animal.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

You might try calling around to the herp vets and see if anyone would be willing to set up a payment plan for you, but I agree with Mike, you need a vet asap.

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Just a quick update, after calling around some more and pleading some, I was able to work a plan with a vets office relatively nearby, but the only downside is it will be 9th before Spartacus can be seen. Any ideas of things to try in the mean time???

What are his temps and humidity? Sometimes a 5 degree bump in temps helps out.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Well, the temp was high about 80-82, low 70-75. However, I was startled to hear it start making noises while hiding behind it's waterfall. I looked and noticed two crickets by it, so I figured they were aggravating poor Spartacus. With that, and to get a temp. increase, I moved it (I think it is a she, but am not positive) to a bit smaller plastic container and left a half log and a rock formation I made some time ago in there. the high is around 86, with the low being high 78-79.

She has lost significant weight, and I know she is sick because I was able to handle her with an open palm and she never even attempted to run. I did notice that she shed so I assisted her by gently pulling the old skin. Was that a mistake? I also tried to once again give it some Fluker's first-aid formula, but her jaw was clenched shut so I don't know if any was able to make it in... Once last question, has anyone ever seen their pupils completely contract, then after a minute or so react normally like they were playing dead?

Edit: I was just reading about how crickets attack lizards, and sometimes the crickets can be infected. Earlier I was looking at Spartacus' tail and noticed that it looked like it had been bitten. Could that possibly explain or be a partial reason as to the sudden lack of appetite and movement?

That could be a possibility.... You should never leave crickets in with your animals for too long. With my Leo I leave the crickets for about half an hour and then take out anything they haven't gobbled up which usually isn't much!

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Ok I have seen the curled toes, loss of appetite and twitching syndrome in Homopholis geckos.... A friend of mine's died all of a sudden once showing these symptoms. He cared for them in the best possible way....really good gecko herpetoculturist.

I got a fright when I noticed two of mine all of a sudden started doing the same. I started giving them direct sun light (uvb!) and, although this is not considered a need for nocturnal geckos, it seemed to fix the one up... The other I found had an intestinal impaction from prey items that were too big. My friend also realised this was the cause for his geckos death... really large prey size.

Maybe: * Give your gecko a nice warm soak in shallow water( watch it does not drown if too weak). Then let it bask for a bit in the sun everyday (watch you don't cook it!) or try get hold of uvb lighting.

* Please note: I am not a vet but this is just from my experience. Just anything until you can get to a vet. I am not diagnosing your gecko, just noticing that it showed the same symptoms

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Don't be jealous the voices only speak to me...

www.herprecon.org

Well, it is with much regret that I say that Spartacus is no longer with us, as she passed away yesterday morning. She has gone to the great jungle in the sky...

I'm sorry!

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