visible spine! please help.

lookatthestars25 · #1 01-06-2012, 11:21 PM

I just bought a 6month old albino leo gecko, a week ago. He was really skinny when I got him.
He's been eating okay, and everything. His tank is well kept, heating is right. everything is how it should be. But, this morning when I woke up I noticed that his spine was visible. Is this a bad thing?
I love him dearly, and I don't want anything to happen to him,.

cricket4u · #2 01-06-2012, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookatthestars25

I just bought a 6month old albino leo gecko, a week ago. He was really skinny when I got him.
He's been eating okay, and everything. His tank is well kept, heating is right. everything is how it should be. But, this morning when I woke up I noticed that his spine was visible. Is this a bad thing?
I love him dearly, and I don't want anything to happen to him,.

Hello,

Sorry to hear about your gecko. Spinal prominence is usually seen in moderate to severe dehydration and/or impaction. According to what you are stating that the geckos spine is visible. I am surprised he is eating. You can soak him in warm water for 15-20 minutes, however it can be quite stressfull. It would be best to take him to a vet if possible. You can post a picture and we can get an idea of how serious it may be. In the meantime please look over the caresheet to make sure he is under the best conditions possible.

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/commu...12-update.html

lookatthestars25 · #3 01-07-2012, 01:13 AM

I have noticed a blue-ish purple patch underneath his belly. I'm pretty sure it's impaction. I have bathed him twice for a half an hour each, gently massaging underneath his belly. I put him back in his tank, on the warm side. He is laying with his belly pressed against the carpet. I can not get him to the vet tonight. I'm afraid he won't make it till morning though. Is there anything else I can do ?

cricket4u · #4 01-07-2012, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookatthestars25

I have noticed a blue-ish purple patch underneath his belly. I'm pretty sure it's impaction. I have bathed him twice for a half an hour each, gently massaging underneath his belly. I put him back in his tank, on the warm side. He is laying with his belly pressed against the carpet. I can not get him to the vet tonight. I'm afraid he won't make it till morning though. Is there anything else I can do ?

It will be unethical to suggest anything other then what is in the caresheet without having the gecko in front of me. The most important thing is hydration and heat at this point to try to get his bowels moving. The fact that you mentioned his spine became more visible overnight leads me to believe he can be severely dehydrated and feeding will make things worst. If the dehydration was not severe a drop of mineral oil on his mouth to lick up would be helpful, however it can make things worst in a severely dehydrated reptile. If you can get him to lick a few drops of Pedialyte(non-flavored)mixed with water 50/50 please do so. I would suggest to call around to see if you can find a 24 hour emergency reptile veterinarian.

**Elizabeth Freer** · #5 01-07-2012, 05:03 PM

checking in......

lookatthestars25 · #6 01-07-2012, 05:03 PM

I took him to the pet store that I got him, and talked to the girl that I had bought him from. I talked to her about his spine, and the dark patch on his stomach. She said, since he is an albino, you're suppose to see his organs. His tummy isn't hard, at all. I asked her about his spine and she said that he's probably just stressed out. She said that he isn't impacted, what so ever, since there is no bump. I think I over reacted just a bit. He's my baby, and I'm just in overprotective mode. Could dehydration be the cause of seeing his organ more clearly and his spine?

**Elizabeth Freer** · #7 01-07-2012, 05:05 PM

Please post a picture of your leo. Then we can better advise.

lookatthestars25 · #8 01-07-2012, 05:23 PM

summer 2011 291.jpg this is his underbelly. I am waiting for the other picture to load. I know, it's not a good quality camera.

cricket4u · #9 01-07-2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookatthestars25

Attachment 12743 this is his underbelly. I am waiting for the other picture to load. I know, it's not a good quality camera.

Can you take a picture of his spine to see what you are talking about?

A picture of him completely from above will be best. It's tricky when looking at their abdomen in a picture due to the fact their organs are visible , but sometimes an impaction due to dehydration can look like their normal digestion system in pictures. Is he passing feces? feces look normal? Does the urates (white portion) look white or yellow?

lookatthestars25 · #10 01-07-2012, 05:36 PM

this is his spine