Geckos

[Disneyphile]

Well, we're adopting a gecko this evening (I swear I'm getting closer to a kitty...).

While browsing furniture on Craigs List, I found a cute baby gecko with terrarium for a very small price. The owner needs to get rid of him, because she's moving.

Does anyone have experience with them? I'd like to hear any tips and stories. :)

[CoasterMatt]

Um, I'll ask Rose - she's closing PETSMART tonight :)

[Disneyphile]

Um, I'll ask Rose - she's closing PETSMART tonight :)Oooh!! Also ask her if they carry ferrets now. I've heard that they've become legal in CA.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

We want a picture!

[Disneyphile]

We want a picture!Sure will! He's going in the Tiki dining room, so we're going to name him after one of the Tiki gods. ;)

[CoasterMatt]

Maui :D

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Rongo!

[Ghoulish Delight]

While browsing furniture on Craigs List, I found a cute baby gecko with terrarium for a very small price. The owner needs to get rid of him, because she's moving. hmm, someone needs a brushup on her search engine skills. :p

[Disneyphile]

Well, we didn't adopt him.... we rescued him. :mad:

First, the owner called and we arranged for me to come pick him up at her place. I got there, and a neighbor told me she just left. I was even on time! I called her cellphone which was turned off. So, I drove back home, pretty annoyed, and thinking even more about the poor thing, because my hunches were telling me that she's not responsible. Less than an hour later, her boyfriend called me, saying that they had to leave to take her to the hospital because she got hurt. (Wow, that's a quick hospital - I need to go there from now on. :rolleyes: ) He asked if I wanted him to deliver him, so I said ok and gave him very detailed directions. Half an hour later, he called back, saying he returned home, because he "couldn't find our home", and asked if I would just meet him at a nearby store. I told him that tomorrow would be best, but then he insisted, saying they needed the money tonight for her new prescription that the hospital just gave to her. (Yeah, more like the bag o' reefer that was probably waiting for them on some street corner.) So, I agreed to meet him just up the street from our home. He arrived, and put it in the back of my car, and then thanked me and took off.

Here's what I discovered inside, once I brought him home:

http://pics.livejournal.com/disneyphile/pic/000bk9r3/s640x480

Yes, that little stick figure is an extremely emaciated leopard gecko. (The white "stripe" down his side is actually loose skin because he can't fill it out.)

Here is what he should look like (colors do vary with each animal):

Link (http://animal-world.com/encyclo/reptiles/lizards_geckos/images/LeopardGeckoWHLG_Ap2.jpg)

:mad:

I want to smack the old owners.

Ken came home and immediately left to get some small worms and crickets from the nearest pet shop, along with a liquid calcium supplement and a high-caloric liquid food, just in case.

Thankfully, he did eat 3 small worms almost right away, which I'm hoping will be a good sign. The poor little thing is SO skinny, and his head is so big. I also inspected the cage poo and could tell he's only been given water for quite some time. :mad:

Did I mention I really want to smack someone?????

I'll post photos of his (hopeful) progress. I also intend on sending her before and after photos, with a fairly nasty note.
Also - think of the Tiki gods, and help us come up with his name. This could be fun. :)

[Not Afraid]

OH! The poor little thing! Fatten him up and make his a happy Gecko.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I bet you save a ton of money on your car insurance now. ;)

[Disneyphile]

Checked on him this morning, and he's moving a little. He's very weak and even seems to have a problem holding up his head. :(

We're keeping a close watch on him, and I'm going to feed him some of the liquid protein tonight.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

My two favorites are Koro, Midnight Dancer, and Tongaroa-Ru, the East Wiiiiiind. :D Depends on if you want male or female.

[BarTopDancer]

Awww. Poor not-kitty. :(

[€uroMeinke]

He must live!

If for no other reason for you to show us pics of him defying gravity

[Disneyphile]

I syringe fed him this evening, but he'd hardly take it. The little guy was smart enough to wipe it off his mouth.

We also completely overhauled the enclosure - added tile flooring, a hide box with moss, and even a new plant and a red heat lamp since he's nocturnal.

But, he's hardly moving. He explored only a few inches and then collapsed, shutting his eyes asleep again. He sleeps a lot.

At least with the tile flooring, we can see if he's passing food. I hope he hasn't gone beyond the point of no return with his liver and kidneys shutting down. :(

Keep your fingers crossed!

[tracilicious]

Poor little guy. :( Here's hoping he'll pull through.

[Kevy Baby]

Visited the poor little guy last night. He does not look good, but put up a good struggle as we tried to syringe-feed him some high-protein, high-calcium, high-fat goop. He fought it pretty good, but we managed to get some down his gullet.

But he is skinnier than he appears in that picture. It is kind of frightening.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Poor little guy. At least he'll be taken care of now.

[Nephythys]

:(

Can you report them for animal neglect???

Anxiously awaiting a new update- I hope he pulls through!!

[Snowflake]

Poor little guy. Reading these things (like the Munchikins rescue) just makes me so damn mad.

You deserve mega good karma in pet heaven for all your rescues and care you give your animals. :snap:

The people that owned this little tiki god before deserve to be treated as they mistreated this little guy. Rant rant rant! :mad:

Please keep us posted and I'm pulling for the little guy.

[Disneyphile]

Well, he decided to leave us. :(

We found him yesterday in the same spot where he fell asleep - but this time he had crossed over. On a good note, we had fed him again the night before, so he went with a full tummy and lots of love. I think it was that comfort that made him decide to let go.

On the other bright side, we do have a full and proper set-up for a gecko now, so we plan on looking for another rescue/unwanted pet. Hopefully, the next one won't be as bad.

And yes, I want to smack the previous owner and starve her for awhile. She needs to know hunger and neglect. :mad:

[Snowflake]

RIP little gecko :(

I hope you do contact them and tell them how their neglect made it impossible for you to truly rescue this helpless creature. Bastards.

[Disneyphile]

I hope you do contact them and tell them how their neglect made it impossible for you to truly rescue this helpless creature. Bastards.Oh, definitely. I still have the girl's email address. I'll also be sending photos of what a proper set-up should look like, as well as a care sheet of how they should be fed, plus a link to what happens in animal neglect cases. I doubt she'd give a crap, but at least I can do my part to educate her. Maybe she truly was just ignorant, although that's no excuse.

[BarTopDancer]

Poor not-kitty :( I bet you're right - your love and comfort allowed him to let go.

[Not Afraid]

I think tey knew he was in such poor shape and that's why they wanted to get their money before he died. I may be wrong, but that's the feeling I get.

Poor little guy.

[Disneyphile]

I think tey knew he was in such poor shape and that's why they wanted to get their money before he died. I may be wrong, but that's the feeling I get.That's what my thought is as well. They seemed really desperate to get rid of him that evening. I hope she never has kids.

[Snowflake]

That's what my thought is as well. They seemed really desperate to get rid of him that evening. I hope she never has kids.

No kids and definitely no more animals.

[lizziebith]

Oh I am so sad! When I left, the little guy hadn't yet been gotten, and now he's gone. :( I hate neglect! :mad: I'm glad you made his last day one of nurture...Good on you!

[€uroMeinke]

That's horrible - thank goodness his last moment were with you guys.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Poor little guy. At least he knew you cared about him. Stupid people. I'll join the line to smack that lady into next week.