AllExperts > Reptiles 
Search      
Reptiles
Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Reptiles Questions · Answer Library  · Encyclopedia ·
More Reptiles Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Reptiles
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
 
About Pam
Expertise
I can answer 98% of all questions regarding the husbandry of most desert to temperate climate omnivore and herbivore lizards. This would include bearded dragons, and skinks. I can also answer questions regarding iguanas. I can not help with snakes,amphibians,crustations or arachnids. For tortoises I will only refer you to the World Chelonian Trust. I am not a vet, but I've had enough medical (human) training to know that when a reptile is showing symptoms he needs definitive care. That means a vet, period. I can help with a few conditions, such as prolapse, so that the animal has the best chance at the vet to treat and recover. The answer to having two species sharing the same habitat will always be no. Just because you don't like my answer does not mean I'm wrong. As for breeding animals, especially bearded dragons who already have a weak gene pool as it is, you will get all the reasons why you shouldn't. There are enough inexperienced breeders out there, filling pet stores with undersized sickly babies, I will not add to their number. If you need a lizard identified, please give me an idea of where you live and a description of the animal.

Experience
I own and breed bearded dragons (pogona vitticeps). I've been a member of several e-mail lizard care groups, I am both a forum chat moderator for Reptilerooms.com, and forum moderator for Pogona and Babyiguana Yahoo Groups. I have soaked in the knowledge of some of the best researchers, rehabbers, and herp veterinarians from those groups

Organizations
Long Island Herpetological Society International Reptile Conservation Society

Education/Credentials
SUNY @ Farmingdale - Animal Science Univ. of GA - Pre-Vet

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Reptiles > Sick Leopard gecko?

Reptiles - Sick Leopard gecko?


Expert: Pam - 9/26/2006

Question
My Leopard Gecko, i've fed it 1 time in the last 12 days because i was away on a trip. I'm very concerned with my Gecko because her tail which is usually big and fat, is like a stick. All skinny and she seems to be very inactive (sleeping, moving to go sleep again). and the worst thing is i just noticed this at 11:30 pm. which i cant go buy crickets or mealworms for her. i have no food with me, and she wont drink much water. over that time she didnt have water or food. I'm very concerned and i do not know what to do.

I tried cutting up carrot pieces really small and tried that but it didnt work. i put her vitamins in her water and she hasnt dranken any of it. she did have water before i put the vitamins in it. but i'm very concerned and worried.

She is acting extremly different. she's usually very active and alert. now she wont do much. She did just shed incase if that has anything to do with anything.

PLZ WHAT SHOULD I DO!? please send me a reply as soon as possible. i feel awful for this.  

Answer
  Mitch, did someone tell you that reptiles were like snakes as far as husbandry goes?  Whoever gave you the idea that any animal could be left without food or fresh water for 12 days should be shot!  The gecko is starved and dehydrated, and at this point needs a vet or a professional rehabber as soon as possible.  Until appointment time give the leo a series of very lukewarm shallow baths and mistings to get some water into him.  Then get him to a good reptile vet immediately!  A vet can replace fluids and nutrition invasively.  If you don't have a reptile vet, go to:
http://herpvetconnection.com/
 The next time you need to go away for more than a couple of days, find a petsitter.  Sometimes the vet has boarding or one of his techs will do this.  Or ask a herp society if there is someone willing.  If it's for a day or two, leave extra food and a super moist salad, and make sure his moist hide has extra moisture.

Add to this Answer   Ask a Question


 
User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy | Help
Copyright  © 2008 About, Inc. AllExperts, AllExperts.com, and About.com are registered trademarks of About, Inc. All rights reserved.