Raspberry

Question
QUESTION: Hello Donna! I hope all is well with you :) I really appreciate the links you sent me for supplies. I ordered the hide boxes (the one she has is too big and theres no room for 2) and the underneath heating pads (gotta wait for next payday to order more). Raspberry still wont eat anything except smashed up and by the dropper. And she doesnt seem to like the chunks of crickets or worms. And since we still have to wait a week to get her in to a 'real' vet I was wondering if there was a 'formula' or something she could have while we are dropper feeding her. I worry she isnt getting enough nutrition. And I read that too much calcium could bind her gut? Should we not add so much at every feeding? Thank you again for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Jessica

ANSWER: To avoid overdoing the calcium, just coat the crickets with it before smashing--cover them with powder, and shake off the excess gently, then mash them.  If you can mash them finely enough, she won't even realize she's eating, when you use the dropper.  Be sure to use calcium that has a D3 supplement.  It's vital not to overdo vitamin D3, as an overdose is toxic, but she needs it in order to mteabolize the calcium.

There is a new product available called Repashy Meat Pie, that comes as a powder--you mix it with water, microwave, and then chill, and it turns into a gel.  It should be nutritionally complete for a leopard gecko.  I'm not sure if that's much help, since you'd have to order it, and by the time it got there, you may already have her in to the vet, but if she still isn't eating on her own, it may be an alternative to cricket mush.

I've sent a letter to Repashy to find out whether the formula is safe to use without cooking it.  (Cooking it turns it into a gel, so it's like jello for reptiles, lol).


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again :) I read that using chicken baby food, mixed with water and the calcium supplement is a good alternative and she has been doing well with that. Hard to guess how much 'dust' to add but I'll cut back some since she IS eating it (with coaxing). Id definitely like to know more about that meat pie jello :) And get this, SHE SHED YESTERDAY! I sure hope thats a good sign that she's starting to feel better. She got it all off too except we had to soak her feet to get it off of her back feet. Waiting on the stuff I ordered so I have room for a wet house. Been awfully humid this whole week so perhaps that had helped. Talk to you soon.

Jessica

ANSWER: He did reply quickly--the powder mixed with water is perfectly safe to use without cooking it (so it will remain liquid).  He recommends it for rehabbing reptiles, too.  It has the proper balance of nutrients, so, completely safe. :)  (It already has the right amount of calcium and D3).

This would be much better than chicken baby food, if you can get ahold of it.  (The issue with bird and mammal meat is that they are too high and fat and have the wrong protein balance for insectivores--this can lead to issues with the liver and kidneys).

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So THANK YOU for all your help! Raspberry is set up pretty good in a 50gal tank with 3 houses (warm, cold & wet). After a LONG time of dropper feeding she is eating crickets (dusted with calcium) again. We use paper towels now and have given her other things in her habitat 2 help her feel 'normal.' You have been essential in her living. By the time we took her to the vet she was doin great and the vet looked at me funny lol Raz hand is still messed up from the improper care she was previously receiving. What can I do to help the chain stores be brought 2 justice???? Raspberry is so sweet, her kin should have the love and info regular people dont even know about.

Jessica

Answer
With a chain store, your best option is to write a letter to corporate, explaining the issue.  They do have standards for care for their reptiles.

Beyond that, spreading the word and educating others is the best way to stop these sorts of things from happening.  Pet stores will often happily lead people to believe that the advice their personnel give is all that's required, when it's usually wrong.

I'm glad she's doing better for you!