weak gecko

Question
my  leopard gecko baby has what seems to be the same problem as everyone elses. i have a heating lamp. and im getting the heating pad. he has a hide he just ate a few crickets. but when i originally had him he was more active now he stays in his hide all day almost never comes out and doesn't eat as much he looks a little weak and is kind of slow now i got reptile carpet and i mist his hide.hes still young and looks a little skinny. I'm just worried because i don't have the money to take him to the vet. i got him at a reptile whole sale place in which they sell allot of B grade reptiles that are sick. what do you think i can do is there any over the counter stuff i can give him to strengthen him?

Answer
Hi Julian, Unless the ambient temperature of your house is quite cool you really should not need both a heating pad and a heat light for a leopard gecko. One or the other, but not both should be sufficient to provide an adequate hot spot ( 85 - 90 F) for a leo. You don't want to overheat or heat the whole tank, just one end should be in that temperature range. Leopard geckos are nocturnal so it is quite normal for him  to stay in his hide during the day but they will usually wake up a come out for food.
It sounds like he had a poor start before you got him. Places that deal in poor quality animals tend to buy from "breeders" from who pay little attention to nutrition, genetics or hygiene. Stress and overcrowding are also common problems. Without knowing what, if anything, may be wrong with him it is impossible to suggest a specfic course of action.  What you can do now is give him the best possible environment like proper temperature, no loose substrate (as you have done), a good diet with the appropriate vitamin and calcium supplements. That will keep his metabolism and immune system functioning well and give him the best chance. Keeping him well hydrated can also make a big difference, try soaking him in just a little tepid water for a few minutes each day. You can also boost his nutrition by dabbing a little chicken based baby food on his upper lip and snout. They will usually lick it off. Try putting a little vitamin and calcium powder into the baby food as well.
I've included the link to Dr. Gecko, a very good site on the care of leopards. Best of luck.


http://www.drgecko.com/