Crested gecko mouth full of eco earth

[tichek5313]

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I just got back from a weekend away to find my 4 year old crested gecko with his mouth stuffed full of eco earth. I know people have debated a lot about eco earth, but I thought he would be okay since whenever I feed him crickets I always do it outside of the tank so there is no loose substrate. I don't know what would have caused him to take such a large bite out of the substrate. Anyways, now my main question is how can I get this out of his mouth? Please know, he is new to me and had not previously been handled ever before in his life (Like I mentioned, he's 4) so he is VERY scared of my hand and will violently run into the walls and jump around if I even put my hand in the same cage as him, so he is not easy to catch. I managed to spray some of it out with a water bottle, but I'm worried to do this any more because I don't want to choke him. It is out in the front, but looks like it is clumping towards the back of his mouth. He also will occasionally shake his head violently and open his mouth trying to get it out. Any advice will be gladly welcome. I'm newer to crested geckos and I've never had this problem before.

[Aimless]

how is your gecko today?

[tichek5313]

how is your gecko today?

He seems alright. He's been moving around in his cage, but I can tell there is still dirt in his mouth. I don't know how to help him get it out anymore because its more towards the back of his mouth and hes very flighty. I've read that it is more risky when it happens for geckos under 15 grams and last time I weighed him he was 42. I am still very worried about him. I've put paper towels down to see if he poops at all.

[Aimless]

definitely keep him hydrated to help him pass anything through. paper towel will dry out faster than eco earth, of course, so maybe make a serious bump up in your misting routine.

[tichek5313]

Unfortunately, i think he might have passed. i came home today to find him on the bottom of the cage and there is thrown up eco earth around him. He isn't responding at all to shining a light on him. I feel so bad for the little guy

[Aimless]

I'm wondering if the mouthful of ecoearth happened during a seizure.

I'm sorry you lost him.

[tichek5313]

A happy update: Somehow he has made an incredible comeback! I truly thought he was dead. I shined the light on him and nothing happened and when I picked him up he was lifeless as well. I was nearly 100% ready to admit that he had passed and was preparing to "dispose" of the little guy. Thank goodness I didn't! I had to run to class quick so I put off taking care of what I thought was his dead body and then when I came back he had moved! He has now pooped several times and is active and eating again. I truly do not know how he did such a 180, but I'm happy to report he seems to be back to his old self. Thanks for your help!

[GeckoLeen]

You may want to switch out the eco-earth to some other safer substrate for a while.

[tichek5313]

Do you have any recommendations for a better substrate? Right now I just put paper towels down, but it's pretty ugly so I'd like to have a more natural looking tank if there are any you recommend. My local reptile store recommended Jungle Mix. Do you have any experience with this?

[GeckoLeen]

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The only other things I've used besides paper towel is New Zealand Sphagnum moss (for more humidity), and Exo Terra Moss Mats (with paper towel underneath them). I've been happy with both.