Opinions about when to euthanize a gecko

[TheOneBlueGecko]

I was wondering what your guys' opinions are about when or if you should euthanize a leopard gecko.

The gecko I have is quite poorly. She is very thin and not growing despite everything my vet and I have tried for her. She does not seem in any obvious distress and has been in this same condition of being quite thin for close to a month and has not grown since I got her around 3 months ago.

I have tried many things to try to get her to gain her weight back including treatments for parasites and a variety of food. I have not given up on her, I continue to try to get her to eat, but I have accepted the fact that she is unlikely to live for too much longer.

Would you guys consider it more humane to have her euthanized now if she is showing no progress or improvement or is it right for me to continue to try to get her to eat even though she shows no improvement?

She does not seem in distress, and this is not an urgent question as I do not expect her condition to change suddenly, and I love my little gecko, but I don't want to needlessly have her suffer.

 

[Yoshi'smom]

That's hard. I would say that as long as she doesn't seem to be in any pain or overly stressed I would keep trying to get her to eat. However if she suddenly takes a turn for the worst or displays pain associated behavior/lethargy (anything like that) then I would ask myself what's best for her. That's my opinion. I hope it helps some.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

When was the last time that you just left her alone for a week without touching, looking, stressing at all? I'd give her water, put her tank somewhere dark where she's not subjected to any real noise or action, and just leave her alone for 5 days or so. Zero stress. A lot of times all the time that people spend fussing and trying to fix an animal is just compounding the stress levels and that just makes them shut down. Just leave her be for a while. Then, after like 5 days, toss in a couple of crickets or roaches and see what she does. Make sure her temps are correct, etc. but no peeking at her, tapping on the glass or whatnot. Just let her unwind in a nice dark quiet warm place.

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

Thanks! Both of those replies really help. I think I will move her too my room. It is not that crazy where she is now, but the light schedule can be a bit hectic and I can control this if she is in my room. I will try just making sure her water bowl is full and giving her a bowl of meal worms at the start (they are contained and cannot escape so this should not add stress) and then leave her alone.

I just have to really monitor the temps as my room stays hotter than most of the house.

Do I need to worry about the room being dim all the time and never full daytime bright? I would need to keep my blinds closed to control the temperature fluctuations.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

They're nocturnal and would prefer it to be dark. Bright lights just add to their stress. Unless it's over 100 degrees, you're not likely to overheat your leo. You have to keep in mind where these animals comes from...places like Pakistan. Unless you live in Death Valley or something, he'll probably be fine in your room.

 

[Pokeefe88]

Do I need to worry about the room being dim all the time and never full daytime bright? I would need to keep my blinds closed to control the temperature fluctuations.

If you leave them open a bit/half way then it should be okay as long as there is enough indirect light for her to see when it is day/night.

Good Luck! I hope this helps

 

[Mardy]

Get a mealworm escape proof dish, put 10 mealworms in there, and leave the dish in there for a day or two without bothering her. If you are worried about light, just cover the tank up with a towel or something that shades the tank. Don't cover the top mesh, they need air flow. It's quite amazing how leopard geckos can thrive when we aren't around.

 

[Lenewen]

I'd take Ethan's advice and just leave her alone as much as possible. I'd only disturb her for feeding and refilling the water dish, and at those times, be as quiet as you can be so as not to frighten her. A little darkness and silence will do her good.

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

She is now in my room, so hopefully the calm and quiet will help. I filled up her meal worm dish and the water dish so she should be good for some time (not that I won't be discretely checking that and the temp.) I am also going to be adding a paper to the front of the tank that should just even more make her tank look like a calm, dim hole.

 

[Lenewen]

Sounds like a good treatment plan

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

Well, I found my gecko dead this afternoon. I am really sad about it, but I at least know that I did everything I could to try to help her. I really do appreciate everything all you guys here have done to try to help me help her.

 

[JIGSAW818]

Well, I found my gecko dead this afternoon. I am really sad about it, but I at least know that I did everything I could to try to help her. I really do appreciate everything all you guys here have done to try to help me help her.

I'm sorry :/ you tried your best.

 

[Lenewen]

I am very sorry to hear that. You did everything you could. I hope you adopt a new, healthier leopard gecko. They can be such rewarding companions.

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

I am very sorry to hear that. You did everything you could. I hope you adopt a new, healthier leopard gecko. They can be such rewarding companions.

Thank you. I am planning on buying one online some time in the future (I am not one of the total anti petco people, but I do not plan on getting my next leopard gecko there) I just need to work on figuring out if I can reuse my tank (there is a possibility this gecko had crypto) and what would be a good site to buy from.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

Sorry to hear the bad news. Look in the diseases forum for some tips on crypto cleaning. There's lots of great breeders to choose from. No need to buy from petco, etc. Take your time, shop around, and wait for one that really catches your eye. Kingsnake.com classifieds has tons of leo breeders.

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

Sorry to hear the bad news. Look in the diseases forum for some tips on crypto cleaning. There's lots of great breeders to choose from. No need to buy from petco, etc. Take your time, shop around, and wait for one that really catches your eye. Kingsnake.com classifieds has tons of leo breeders.

Thank you. I really want to find a good one I like, I am a fan of the normal patterned geckos so I am hoping to find one of those that I like. I am willing to take my time to find one that I really love online.

 

[Pokeefe88]

I'm sorry to hear about your leo . I got my gecko from the breeder lzrdgrl.com at an expo by me. I would recommend getting your gecko from a breeder who will give you a care sheet. That way you know they care about their geckos. Make sure the leo you pick is healthy and alert & ask what it has been eating too so that you know what to get for it if it gets picky

 

[Yoshi'smom]

I'm very sorry to hear about your gecko. I know that when I lose my little man I'll be a terrible wreck! Keep that chin up!