Update on Mio

[Colby and the Dwarfs]

Mio is okay. Not great, but better at least She's eating, this is her feeding schedule:

PM
3:30- 2 mealworms
5:00-2 mealworms with calcium*
7:00- 1 mealworm, vitamins and minerals
AM
6:45-3 mealworms, calcium*

*I was so caught up in the vitamins I forgot her calcium for a while(I'm so mad at myself!) so now I worry she's behind in that.

I decided to stick with mealies as that's what she's used to. I don't want to change her diet now, when she improves I might though.

Her tail is thickening, so I'm okay. She is rather skittish and refuses to eat sometimes, but I'm working with her.

My little girl is doing well overall, and I'm proud of her. People don't understand why I "play God" and do everything in my power to keep her alive, but she's my baby, I love her, and as long as she's not giving up I'm not either. She's such a strong girlie, so brave.

On anther note, I'm pretty sure her eyes are the most gorgeous things ever. They were kind if milky white, then green, now a light brown-green. I'll get some photos of them with my camera later for you!

Now that she's healthier I may do a professional photo shoot later, I want to do one for her birthday also! May 21st is almost here!!! My little gal will be 2, people said she wouldn't get past 10 months.

Any who, she's doing okay and is lovely; so if you would like I'll get some professional pics of her soon!

[Bec]

So glad Mio is doing well, she's certainly a little fighter and you are both lucky to have each other.

Pictures are always a treat here on HC....and you do take some amazing photos

[HollyHamster]

I read somewhere that mealworms are very high in chitin and shouldn't be fed exclusively or in excess, only an occasional treat. They said that crickets are better for a main diet.

[Colby and the Dwarfs]

Originally Posted by Bec

So glad Mio is doing well, she's certainly a little fighter and you are both lucky to have each other.

Pictures are always a treat here on HC....and you do take some amazing photos

Thank you and yes, I'm just as lucky to have her as she is to have me! She brightens up my day, every day

Originally Posted by HollyHamster

I read somewhere that mealworms are very high in chitin and shouldn't be fed exclusively or in excess, only an occasional treat. They said that crickets are better for a main diet.

Actually, mealworms are very acceptable. I've never heard of the chitin thing, I will research that, I do know that many great breeders/owners use them; that's one of the reasons why I started using them so much.

Also, Mio is unable to catch crickets due to bad aim caused by her overbite and other things. Thank you though, it's really great to know others care about her just as much as I do.

EDIT: This site: http://www.leopardgecko.com/leopard-gecko-care says they're good:

"Live insects are a must for your gecko; they do not eat plants or veggies. The best items to use are mealworms or crickets, but you can treat your pet to waxworms or superworms once a week if you wish. We have used regular mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) without health issues for since 1978."

This is what I went off if when I got her.

[DrKMcK]

"People don't understand why I "play God" and do everything in my power to keep her alive, but she's my baby, I love her, and as long as she's not giving up I'm not either. "Of course you must do whatever she needs to keep her healthy and happy. Ignore anyone who says different. Some people are just heartless *sigh*. I think Mio is wonderful. Every single time I see her I just giggle. That smile is just the greatest thing ever!

[Panda's_mommy]

Mealworms and crickets are actually the worst feeder insects you can give to any herp! They are both dangerous (a hungry cricket or mealworm will eat through a herp) I had a perfectly healthy tree frog that was eaten by uneaten crickets in the tank. They are also the worst as far as nutritional value. Mealworms are also harder to digest because of their exoskeleton. I would highly recommend dubia roaches and genuine phoenix worms. Both are very nutritious, soft, easy to digest, they don't stink like crickets and mealworms. I ordered some phoenix worms for Topaz as a treat and she loves them! You can do a search online and buy a huge quantity for a decent price. Phoenix worms require no food or anything and stay in the plastic containers you get them in. They also don't need to be dusted because of their nutritional value, but for a sick herp you may want to dust. Dubia and phoenix worms both last much longer then crickets and mealworms as well. I also still suggest feeding her waxworms at least once a week until she gets to a healthy weight. Make sure they are dusted! How old was she when you got her? Did she suffer from MBD?

[Colby and the Dwarfs]

Originally Posted by DrKMcK

"People don't understand why I "play God" and do everything in my power to keep her alive, but she's my baby, I love her, and as long as she's not giving up I'm not either. "Of course you must do whatever she needs to keep her healthy and happy. Ignore anyone who says different. Some people are just heartless *sigh*. I think Mio is wonderful. Every single time I see her I just giggle. That smile is just the greatest thing ever!

Thank you DrK(when I type "D" it autocorrects to DrK now!)! I love her sweet face too

Originally Posted by Panda's_mommy

Mealworms and crickets are actually the worst feeder insects you can give to any herp! They are both dangerous (a hungry cricket or mealworm will eat through a herp) I had a perfectly healthy tree frog that was eaten by uneaten crickets in the tank. They are also the worst as far as nutritional value. Mealworms are also harder to digest because of their exoskeleton. I would highly recommend dubia roaches and genuine phoenix worms. Both are very nutritious, soft, easy to digest, they don't stink like crickets and mealworms. I ordered some phoenix worms for Topaz as a treat and she loves them! You can do a search online and buy a huge quantity for a decent price. Phoenix worms require no food or anything and stay in the plastic containers you get them in. They also don't need to be dusted because of their nutritional value, but for a sick herp you may want to dust. Dubia and phoenix worms both last much longer then crickets and mealworms as well. I also still suggest feeding her waxworms at least once a week until she gets to a healthy weight. Make sure they are dusted! How old was she when you got her? Did she suffer from MBD?

-Okay, I'm not being sarcastic AT ALL, I truly want to know, if mealworms are dangerous, why do all the best breeders in the world use them?

-And the reason your cricket ate your frog is because you didn't take the cricket out after 30 minutes.

-I feed Mio out of the tank and closely monitor her.

-My mealworms don't stink...?

- I don't feed my mealies either. I just put them in the fridge.

-Yes, I dust everything that goes in her mouth, lol.

-The feeding chart was just the norm; she gets waxworms twice a week as well, most weeks.

- She was a hatchling when I got her, very, very young. Her birthday is the 21st of May, but I don't remember the exact day I got her.

-No, she's never had MBD, thank goodness.

Thank you so, so, so much, I really appreciate it. I know everyone cares about her on this forum, but it's also amazing to have someone who takes the time to type and research things to help her