Re: [gecko]Sick -- probably dying -- gecko

[Leann Christenson]

One of the parasite that is often looked over by veterinarians is Cryptosporidium .  This is because it requires a specific test that most veterinarians do not do in house.  It must be specifically requested.   I mention this because you are describing two of the most common symptoms - wasting and regurgitation.    Regretfully, Crypto is becoming more and more common in the leopard gecko population, especially pet store leopard geckos.  Crypto is spread by fecal contact that gets into the mouth.  Leopard geckos eat crickets that walk on the bottom of enclosure.  The crickets step into infected droppings (poop or what ever you call it) and then the gecko eats them. The infected gecko begins to waste away, usually over a long time period, regurgitates its food and finally becomes very weak and dies.    Many keepers think Crypto ends in death for any gecko who gets it.  However, in a number of instances, the gecko can survive. Through strict quarantine, keeping the gecko's enclosure very clean (remove fecal matter the minute you see it), providing easy to digest food, and treat other symptoms can a gecko have a chance of survival.  Quarantine is also very important in order to keep Crypto from spreading to any other geckos in your collection.    There is so much to say about Crypto.  I am not a vet and cannot say that your gecko has this, but because of the rising incidence of Crypto, it should be considered.  Whether or not you decide to test for Crypto, take all precautions just in case it is.    If you would like more information about Crypo, how to nursed the sick gecko, or necessary quarantine practices to safeguard other geckos, I would be glad to share more.   Leann Christenson         ----- Original Message ----- From: Jamie A. Stine To: gecko@lists.gekkota.com Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 3:18 PM Subject: Re: [gecko]Sick -- probably dying -- gecko uhm.... Might I ask why you're feeding mealies in the first place?  IMHO, mealies shouldn't be a staple food source for geckos -- they're too crunchy.  The exoskeletons are very difficult to digest.. Anyway, that being said, what does her poop look like?  IS she pooping?  She  could have an impaction from built up chitin from the mealies, that's why I'm asking. Jamie A. Stine On 4/30/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote: Thanks for the advice. I got her to eat about three mealworms last night, even without cutting their heads off. I just dropped them into the enclosure in front of her, one at a time. However, in the morning I found them regurgitated. So I'm going to have to bite the bullet and take her to the vet, although I don't have much confidence in any of the local vets as far as leos are concerned.  I cleaned her enclosure today and am waiting for her furniture to dry off to put it and her back in it. Maybe that will perk her up a bit -- or not. Diane -- Jamie A. Stine Chat Host and Moderator, The Melleri Discovery [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo IM: TankDiveGirl AIM: CalvusGirl http://www.myspace.com/tmelleri http://www.melleridiscovery.com