Stressed new gecko

[crazytanak]

I went to Repticon on Saturday and I bought a sweet little red dalmation female from Big Fat Geckos. Most of the day she hid under the substrate in her deli cup, i think from all the light and noise and comotion. We introduced her to the other geckos that are to be her cage mates and everyone got along fine. We held her a little bit each day.

She seems to have lost a little  weight from when we got her. Last night I was hand feeding her and she did this weird sneeze thing and spit out all her food. After a few moments I got her to lap up some more food off my finger, and she did the sneeze thing again and spit out all the food. Then she licked some food off my finger and did the sneeze a third time.

After that I put her in her own cage, I did have her with the others for a few days. Im gonna leave her in the other cage away from the other geckos for a few days.

Is she just stressed out still? She has lost a little weight, but she still has a descent stick to her pads and she is still as strong in her tail as she was when we got her. She also doesnt seem lethargic. She stays mostly hidden in the cage but she does move around and climb fine. Is there anything I can do for her, or should I just kinda leave her alone for a few days and let her relax?

[zuk450]

its probably a good idea to have the new one quatantined for at least 30 days before introducing it to your other geckos. it will help him adjust not having all the other geckos around, and it gives a chance to better monitor her health and eating habits. not to mention if he has some kind of "bug" inside her he my spred it to your other geckos if he isnt quarantined.

[MdngtRain]

Keep an eye on her and the geckos you put her in with.  I agree with zuk that quarenteeing is best for new geckos so you don't introduce anything to your existing colony.  But that's only good for next time.  For now, keep a look out for poop and evidence that she is eating.  Also, try not to bother her much for a little while as she adjusts.  Keep us posted, and let us know what else her symptoms are.

[crazytanak]

She hasnt done anymore sneezing. The sneezing was after she licked food off my finger, so i think maybe she tasted some lotion residue or something. After the initial few gram loss, she doesnt seem to be losing any weight. I havent seen how much she is eating (hard to make that small amount of food) but when I hand feed her with a spoon she will readily lap up the food. When I do hold her she still has all her strength and her pads have ample stick, and she has a normal amount of energy still.

[crazytanak]

The little gecko is doing fine, has good energy, eats well, and looooooves for me to hold her.