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scrawny blizzard baby needs help - Marcia's slurry?

Geckogardener

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I was told to ask Marcia from Golden Gate Geckos for her recipe, a life giving elixer for geckos that are in bad way... and this one certainly fits that description.

I was on the way to pick up a tree frog and anole that someone who was moving decided to give away, I stopped for crickets at a local pet shop, and I saw this little blizzard on his last legs. (marked $80!) I don't know for sure if it will make it. It's in awful shape.

This was at my neighborhood family pet shop They usually take decent care of their animals, but they are new to leopard geckos. Even so, they usually have fairly healthy ones, and only one or two at a time. (on bark - but I want to educate them gradually, so I don't come on too strong) As soon as I saw this I asked what was up with it. They said it came in from their supplier like this about a week or so ago, and it's just too young and small for them to care for. They tried, and it ate a few pinhead crickets, but as you can see, it needs a LOT more TLC to make it. I told them I'd take it home and get it healthy and give it back so they could sell it when it was strong and well. They agreed and gave me the whole tank and a light and hide (no uth was attached) They won't hold me accountable if it dies, since they could see the condition. I figured it would give me the opportunity to help it, and to teach them about proper care. Once they see it improve (let's hope) I think they will be more inclined to listen to advice about how to keep them.

I actually got it to eat a couple of little mashed up crickets
(without legs and such) and it's very active, so there's hope. I
think the under tank heater I bought there will make a difference too.

The lady that was getting rid of the frog and anole, was the same one who put two leopard geckos outside (in the glass tank)to be picked up by someone last week and they died in the sun waiting. I sure wish I had known earlier about those two!

She was going to put the frog and anole out on the front step too, but I showed up too early.

Here is the poor little twig:
baby-blizzard-001.jpg
 
G3 Slurry- (truly a miracle)

In a blender, combine:
1 small can Hill's A/D pet food (available at most vets)
1/4-1/3 cup Ensure (not chocolate)
1 jar baby food squash
1/4-1/3 cup Pedialite
2 crushed tablets or contents of 2 capsules Milk Thistle (herbal supplement, liver purifier, found at most drug stores.)
1/2 tsp. each calcium powder and herp vitamin powder
1 large handful of mealworms, added slowly while mixture is blending

Puree all ingredients until completely smooth, and pour into ice cube tray(s) and freeze. Store cubes in zip-lock bag in the freezer until ready to use, then thaw out 1 cube at a time and store in fridge for 2-3 days. I use the empty baby food jar for this purpose, washing it thoroughly after each batch.

*Lately, I have been adding about 1 Tblsp. T-Rex Gargoyle MRP to each new thawed out cube.

Using this mixture, draw a full dropper (1 ml. eye dropper type) and place a drop on the gecko's nose. It will start To lick it off, and as it does, slowly squeeze out a little at a time. Most geckos love this food, and will lap it up. Patience is the key here.

**NOTE: Do NOT tell anyone in your household you put mealworms in the blender!


I personally make mine with everything here plus a little vionate (except on the pedialite and the ensure I use the cheaper store brands). If you'd like to save a few bucks, just make sure to check the labels and compare to make sure that your store brand products do not contain anything unusual and have the same or better nutrition (most are about the same). I have found the Gerber Unflavored LiquiLytes four-pack to be great for making one batch of slurry. Pedialite will go bad a few days after opening, but the LiquiLyte comes in 4 much smaller bottles, therefore saving you money. Do not skip out on ingredients if you can help it! They are all in there for a reason!

I personally use an eye dropper with the bent tip, and dab a drop on the front of the gecko's mouth until they start licking. Some geckos really hate the little chunks of worm exoskeleton so just try not to get those in the dropper. Good luck on saving the little guy! I really hope he makes it ok.
 
Thank you both... I am heading out to purchase the supplies this morning. I was able to get a little bit of mashed cricket and mealie guts with vitamins in her (yum), and she had a normal (but very tiny) poo, so I really think there might be hope!
 
Susan, I'm sorry I missed this thread! That poor little gecko really does need help... and hopefully the slurry will give it some nutrition and a solid enough stool to take in for a fecal examination for parasites. You might also want to bump up the temperature on the warm side of it's enclosure a few degrees.

When these week-old hatchlings get shipped out to pet shops from gecko mills, some die in transit just from the stress. Many haven't even been fed after their first shed, and have no feeding response. The slurry is designed to provide nutrition and hydration to geckos while being treated with medication, or convalescing from illness or injury. I still believe you will need to try to stimulate the little one's responses by using a pair of tweezers and teasing it with a small mealworm or cricket, making sure it is wiggling so the gecko sees it.

Best of luck with the little blizzie, and please keep us posted on it's progress.
 
You are so right about the lack of feeding response. I was able to get it to eat once the food was actually part way in the mouth, but live food didn't seem to trigger any sort of reaction. I would have thought it was too weak to care, but the little bugger can run and climb just fine!
It's eyes are bright and clear, and I did bump up the heat, which I expect will help. He had no uth at the shop, just a lamp.
I was able to get it to drink by putting drops of water on it's snout away from the nostrils, of course.(I added a little bit of bug guts for flavor, yum, yum)

How often do you give the slurry? I was thinking twice a day... but I'd like to follow what has worked for you.
Sue
 
I was able to get the slurry made... but I had to skip the milk thistle (nobody around here had it and the price to order it was really high. The vets were all closed today, so I substituted some turkey & veal baby food for the pet food for now. (sorry Marcia, LOL)
It was a disgusting glop - but the baby took some from the eyedropper and I just saw it up and about, taking a drink of water. It's tummy was so skinny, that the effect of even that tiny bit was obvious. It's more round and full looking. From underneath, this guy is so translucent that you can see the food and the other organs pretty well. There's a dark area that I don't like the looks of, but since it's eating and pooing OK, I won't worry too much just yet. I'll call about the fecal tomorrow when the vet opens up.

I don't want to stress it out any further... so I won't be giving it any more today, I'll let it digest what's in there.
I suppose I'll try to feed it twice a day, unless anyone here has a better recommendation.

Thanks everyone for your help and support.
I'll post updates every few days or so.
 
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