Rescued Leo....

Lizardlover

Lizardlover

New Member
I just rescued a little Leo gecko last night, hes so emaciated he cant hold his head up barely. He hadnt eaten in 3 months according to the owner :eek::eek::eek:. I brought him home and I gave him some water, he drank, and drank, and drank, and drank, then I had to stop because he drank for literally 10 minutes. He wouldnt eat, so I found it urgent enough to force feed him, I only fed him one cricket because I didnt want to stress him out a ton. He seems to have something wrong with his eyes. he cant open them, I sprayed them but he still wont open them. the owner gave him no calcium whatsoever and had him under no light....Ill see how this goes. He seems to have gotten alot more energy just from the water and cricket. any tips, I have a leo myself but Im not an "expert on them." I wanna bring this guy back to health so I can show the owner how the gecko that refused to eat and would probably die before he got home is doing. It really is sickening to see how skinny and emaciated he is. How could someone do this is all I wonder...:(
 
Aww! Well done for rescuing him! I don't keep leos myself, but they are so cute and I'd like one of my own one day too. Sounds like you are doing all you can for him. With the right environment and light, etc that you are providing, he should be comfortable at least. Hope he improves for you.
 
Reading your post made me feel so angry:mad: Poor, poor gecko. Personally I would report the previous owner for serious neglect. Anyway I too rescued a gecko several years ago. My one hadn't eaten for two weeks but he made a 100% recovery I'm glad to say. He soon put on weight (he'd been skinny).

I agree you musn't overload the poor lizard as he wouldn't be able to cope with much food. The best tip anyone can give you is to take him to see a vet. BTW I own three leopard geckos and I don't have them under any light. I have a heat mat in each vivarium but thats it. I treat my leopard geckos different to my chameleon and bearded dragon in that I believe they don't need UVB.
Whenever I have had a sick chameleon in the past I have mushed up some insects and added Nutrobal powder to it. A paste is easier to give to them. Do you have critical care powder in USA? That is good to use in their drinking water.
Good luck with your gecko. You are wonderful to take him on. I would be livid if I met the person responsible for the gecko's bad health.
 
Danny, whatever happens, just know you are doing the best you can for it.

Take it to the vet if money and time allows.
 
Lizbeth has one of these (a very old one) and she just loves superworms. Try supers and anything eles you think he might eat.
 
well I have good news, the little guy ate, but he has to be assisted when since he cant see as he still cant see :( He is being kept the same way my female who Ive had for about 4 years is kept, I will not post pictures becuase his condition is sickening. Unfortunatley though, after my last vet visit I will not be able to take him to a vet, so Im hoping he will be fine without the visit. Chamgirl, I have never heard of critical care powder, and I have always kept my leo under uvb, although I do agree they may not need it since they are nocturnal, thanks for everyones help/concern. I am still unsure why he cant open his eyes, I think it may be and injury since he lost his tail because the previous owner had small children and I was told he lost his tail do to them...Im hoping he will eventually open his eyes, although it looks like they arent even in there. I will keep you guys updated.
 
I am glad you are not posting pictures, I would probably cry if I saw how he looks. Good news he ate. I don't like the sound of his eyes though, poor gecko.:( Are you able to get T-Rex Hydro-life? I swear by this product for sick chameleons.
 
Never heard of it, I will look into it though, its been another day in my care and he seems to be licking his eyes constantly, I water his eyes and give him lots of water since some people have told me this can happen from dehydration. I will keep you guys posted like I said.
 
Great job Dr. Dan. Sounds like you are on top of things. I hope the little guy survives and prospers.
 
Thanks Naomi, means alot. This little guy looks like hes had the biggest meal of his life by eating just one superworm yesterday...he didnt eat today but Im going to take the eating slow since hes used to eating hardly anything.
 
You can go to petsmart and buy reptiaid. It's a powder you mix with water and suck up in a syringe and put in his mouth to feed him. Its for emaciated and dehydrated reptiles. Follow the directions and give it to him every day until he can eat on his own. There is different formulas so make sure you get the carnivore one. If he is able to get around you might want to provide him with a moist hide also. If he can sit in there it will help with hydration and possibly his eyes(due to humidity). It's just a box or cave with damp moss in it at the cool side of the tank. It helps with shedding too. Leo geckos do not need UV if you give them calcium with added vitamin D3 once a week. Hope this helps you. I rescue reptiles and this kinda thing happens all the time. It never stops shocking me though, how people treat these wonderful animals like a piece of property like a pet rock, a toy or something. Very sad:(
 
I too have rescued a leo in such state. The moist hide will be a huge benefit. In regards to food, you are wise to go slowly. What I found was using wax worms to help get some weight on quickly and crickets. Throw in a silk and horn once/twice a week also.
Good on you for taking in such a creature. Good luck and best wishes.:)
 
Yeah I must agree with the moist hides. Sorry I forgot to mention this in my previous posts. All three of my leopard geckos have access to a moist hide at all times. I use long transparent empty insect tubs for mine with a door cut out for an entrance and wet moss. I would try the reptiaid suggested to you, it sounds like it is the USA equivalent of the UK Critical care powder.
 
Thanks guys Im going to buy some reptaid at petsmart and some waxworms, I got the moist hid though. Thanks for everyones help!
 
lil guy kicked the bucket, I did all I could and I gave him a happy ending but he was just in too bad shape to make a good recovery, he ate a few waxies one day then I came home the next and hes dead. :(

RIP Lil dude (he never really got a real name since the lady's children changed it about 6 times a week)
 
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