so i adopted this leopard gecko at the end of February, he’s 3.5 years old and has a skull deformity, a really short lower jaw and an overbite. the guy i got him from said he had no issues eating, no signs of neuro issues or MBD, and nothing else wrong with him, so i took him home. i have reptile experience and i work at a small pet store that frequently takes in medically needy reptile surrenders, so i felt i’d be able to handle any medical issues he may have.
however. it’s been two months and he HAS. NOT. EATEN. i’ve tried every feeder available (different size crickets, mealworms, dubias, wax worms, BSF larvae, and small hornworms), both cut into pieces and whole, tong feeding, as well as leaving feeders in with him. he will not touch them.
he saw an exotic vet in April, who examined his mouth and didn’t see anything that would keep him from eating normally (especially since he’s already 3 and a half and has been eating small dubias and 3/4 inch mealworms according to his previous owner), and advised i put him on reptaboost. he takes reptaboost well, but i know it’s not sustainable to keep him on that for the rest of his life. i contacted the guy i purchased him from, and he basically said to wait it out. but he’s losing weight and still refusing every time i try to feed.
he’s currently in a 20 gal long as i had planned to get a baby leo and got him instead, and i have a 40 ready to upgrade him, but im wary to move him if he still isn’t eating. his temps are good, but he spends all his time in his humid hide and is rarely on his warm side, so i don’t think it’s due to being too cold. we’ve been soaking him with reptile electrolytes in case he’s impacted but no change. i also dewormed him with a small dose of fenbendazole in mid March, but can dose again if needed.
he’s a good boy and i love him, but im at my wits end with him not eating.
does anyone have any suggestions?
i attached photos of him for reference, the first three are from the last week of February and beginning of March, the last is this morning. his visibly losing weight in his tail and arms and would hate him to lose more. please help!!