My lizard (leopard gecko) got infected with mites. Hence, I brought it to the veterinarian. The vet injected Charlie with an antibiotic to kill the mites. She was very lethargic after that and not eating (before she had a voracious appetite). Anyhow, now her skin is very dry and lost its elasticity. Also, I am trying to offer Charlie water in an eyedropper and she is not licking that up either. I read the guidelines on how to open a lizard's mouth but I can't open its mouth--there's no dewlap or I can't find it to depress it to open the mouth! I'm concerned that she's slowly dying. Any advice?
Answers:
Don't panic. Leopard geckos are a desert lizard and it will take awhile before she actually dies of dehydration. Getting her to take water orally is the first step. If you pinch the corners of the mouth and try to get a fingernail or something flat or small in eventually she will open her mouth and you can get water in there. Even better would be some unflavored pedialyte or some water with electrodize, a reptile supplement in it that stimulates appetite. Both of these have electrolytes that will make her more energetic and help her want to eat. If this doesn't work by tomorrow go and ask your vet for an injection of fluids. Most vets will give this to you as it is non medicinal. It will just be like saline and electrolytes, I have to use saline for my bearded dragon sometimes because she doesn't like water or her veggies all the time. You can pinch the skin between her shoulder blades and insert the needle, or ask your vet to do it, and give her some fluids under the skin that her body will absorb. Try the mouth first though, it should open if you keep trying.
You need to call an emergency veterniarian right away. They might be able to tell you how to get the water in his mouth or have you bring him in to treat him for dehydration.
To open the mouth gently pinch the corners and it should open, if not stick your fingers and try and gently pry it open. As for fluids, try pedialyte, it will hydrate the lizard faster than water, and its important to get the animal hydrated as soon as possible.
that happened to my hamster once but my dad told me to force him to drink.
Hello...hopefully you're misting the cage twice daily @ least as well..many lizards prefer licking water droplets instead out of a bowl...seems there's also other advice you can follow to hydrate as well ...but be very careful about prying a leopard gecko's mouth, as they are pretty fragile compared to larger lizards like beardies or iguana's...good luck :) %26 Take Care
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