Girl Update

[Samba]

Hey guys, thought I'd update you on Girl's progress....

Although still petite from her 4 month fast (in which I supplimented her with chicken baby food and calcium), she started becoming interested in live foods on Feb. 19, 2004. (It was that day she ate a single mealworm offered from my hand).

Since then she has eaten on occassion, and I have stopped supplimenting her, (to encourage full-force appetite return). She will scramble after crickets like there's no tomorrow, but often fails to catch them. When I freeze them to slow them down a bit she appears less interested.

I know she's not out of the woods yet... It has been almost a week since the last time she ate, and she is acting pretty lethargic. This may be due to the fact she went into shed last night but I'm not sure. Speaking of shedding, this is the THIRD time in a months' period she's done this. She is drinking on her own, but any advice to get her up and running would be most appreciated. She's extremely thin, but then again she's never been huge. I will post before (fast) and after (fast) pics soon to see what you guys think. My BF just thinks she's coming out of brumation...

I've had Girlie going on four years... any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Matt.B]

try to pinch one or both the legs off the crix they move just as fast but the cant jump.
Matt

[Samba]

Thanks, Matt, I'll try that (even though I really hate the idea)!

[drewlowe]

Samba, do you still hate crickets after all this time???

I'd give ya some tips but you already know most of them if not all. I'm sure your giving this girl plenty of TLC.

Good luck and can't wait to see some updated pics of Girl.

Jamie

[Samba]

Thanks, Jamie, btw How YOU Doin'? Hehe, I'll post pics tomorrow if I can... show ya'll my skinny cutie! I'm watchin her like a hawk but not sure what else to do... vet says she should be acting normally... vet also like my BF's brumation idea... but in almost 4 years Girl has never hibernated before....

[drewlowe]

I'm doing good waiting for some darn eggs to come from my corn and beardie. LOL How have you been?

Well it was winter time and she's just now starting to "act" like she wants to eat, so brumation may be the answer. Have you tried Jumpstart- appetite enhancer, maybe that'll get her going a little faster.

[Samba]

I'm good as well... stressed, as always. I'll give Jumpstart another try... I didn't have good results the first time I used it because of dosage info, (at the time it was in pounds instead of ounces or grams).

I work for BlueCross BlueShield now... cool clerical job... Having a hard time since I broke my ankle (again) last Sunday... I feel useless here at work... LOL

I have three leos once more... a 'normal' baby named Candy (a total sweetie - she always seems to pose for pictures... which I'll try to post tomorrow). Of course, I still have Girl, who, up until recently never was problematic, and my newest baby is 'Freckles' an adult female with a great personality. I dunno how old she is, but she is also very good looking.... I already have the baby (who is large for her age, mind you) and the adult female living together. They get along great, and of course, I have quarentined both before the move. I'm just waiting for Girlie to gain some weight and get healthy again before I introduce her to them. Her tail is so noodle thin though I'm not sure if she'll make it. (Keeping fingers crossed). I'll update you guys tomorrow... I'm off to home now!

[Leviathan]

Hey Samba,

I have a girl that is the same. When I bred her last year she was so nice and fat. She layed over 12 eggs and it was only her second year of breeding. She hasn't eaten since then on her own. I have to hand feed her and I give her a wet dog/cat ect. food called A/D. It's a high fat and protien diet. It's Hill's perscription diet so you have to get it through the vet. She hasn't put on too much weight, but it's helping. Most of the crickets she eats she regurges. Good luck with your girl.

[Samba]

Thanks, please see my new post ... I will be putting up pics... Hope your girl gets better too!=)

[Samba]

Well, nevermind. I guess the pics I have are too large (but they're like 640 something to 400? something?) I don't know how I can get them any smaller... I've been using my camara's smallest setting... If someone could help me out I'd appreciate it!

[Tortoise man]

is it correct to relate to a female reptile or what ever it is you guys are trying to discuss as a girl?
aren't girls of a human species or am i just not getting the picture?
i really need some verification
somone please correct me if i'm wrong

[drewlowe]

Girl is the name Samba gave her leo.

So when we say Girl where calling the leo by her name.

[drewlowe]

Samba Open your pictures in a program like say photoshop and then resize the photo. I usually resize mine to 400 (largest) X whatever the program comes up with for the second figure.

If you still have problems e-mail them to me i'll resize and send back.

jamie

[Samba]

Ok Jamie, I sent some to ya... if you could post them for me (new thread or here? whichever is good) I would appreciate it. Hopfully I'll be able to get some feedback on her weight loss after everyone sees her! Thanks again!

P.S. Tortoise man - If your dog or cat were to do something wrong, would you scream at it, YOU BAD - genetically - male / female canine/feline!?!? LOL Girls are girls and boys are boys - no matter the species!

[drewlowe]

Samba i figured i would post the first 2 pics for you, If it doesn't attach i'll see if i have space in my gallery to upload them to.

[Samba]

AWWWW there's my Girlie-Girl!!! Isn't she the cutest?!?! Thanks Jamie!!!!!

[drewlowe]

and the 2nd pic.

[drewlowe]

Anytime Samba, I sent you an e-mail with all the pics resized and some info for you that i thought would be better left for private.

With me hurring i forgot to say Girl is a cuttie, hope she starts fatting up for you.

Jamie

[Samba]

Thanks, Jamie, I got ur e-mail. I will look into that this weekend. but Girlie's had that test before (like a year ago) and it was neg. She also hasn't been roomed with any other geckos... but food insects can pass it along too, right? Thanks again, I'll e-mail you on Monday when I return to work!

[drewlowe]

Yep, it can pass from feeders, water, fecals, and possibly shed (they haven't made that definate i think it's because it's possible ocdyisis can be on certain parts of the shed, but hey they eat that anyway.)

Remember Negitive isn't always "certain" But a positive is always positive. It sucks I know!!! Have a good weekend.

[Samba]

Okay, another update. On Friday after work I went home and encouraged Girl to eat. She caught and consumed 3 medium sized crickets (with my help, of course). She seems lethargic, and only once in a while, she will come out of her hide to drink. Vet had an emergency and was unable to see us (he has to come to us, since I am on crutches right now. Never used him before but he's supposed to be good. Will keep you updated. She hasn't eaten since Friday, and seems weak... is there anything I can do for her? Do you guys think I should go back to the chicken baby food I was giving her while she was fasting? ... :(

[drewlowe]

Samba, Sorry was being lazy, ok more like busy so i just copied and pasted this for you from one of my previous post. It worked quite well for me until they started eating on there own again.

If your vet wants to give her meds, Be care with how skinny she is it will be very hard on her system, make sure she gets PLENTY of water. Also since she hasn't been eating well you may want to take out the mealies and supers, her digestive trac may not be able to handle the chitlen in the exoskeleton.

Here's a little recipe passed on to me from another member on this site. I think i have it right, i'm at work so i'll try my best.

Get an old or for "reptile" use only blender and some ice trays.

Mix all items together in no specific order. ALl insects gutloaded.

12 crix
12 mealies
12 supers
12 silkies
12 butters
12 wax
1 can peach baby food
1 can chicken baby food
1 can ensure (mine prefered strawberry)
1 tsp. calcium no phosprus
1 tsp. herptivitamin
1 cup pedilite

Mix very well, but you may want to turn your head. LOL Pour contents into ice tray and place in freezer. when their completly frozen take em and place in a little baggie. You can take one out when needed and let thaw. Feed to your leo through a syringe.

[Samba]

I've been known to stomach a lot of things... but this I think would flip me out. Poor little bugs! Oh, speaking of eating, Girl at one mealworm and two mealworm pupae yesturday. I had to hold them in front of her face but she took 'em. She also chased some crickets around for a bit but didn't seem to have the energy to catch them. Does anyone think her weight loss is just a result of brumation? She became her heaviest ever ( a measley 35-40 grams) right before she stopped eating... still trying to ahold of the vet... update ya later...