Leopard Geckos Daenerys & Drogo: changing substrate and sleep question

[SORROW89]

DAMN that's a shame. Some people are so irresponsible. Good lucking out! You shouls take them both to the vet for exams, but the female should see the vet asap. Her poops don't look right and if she is always sleeping she is sick.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

It's been removed with fresh paper towel, maybe I just wasn't ready for the smell, but it was strong. Her other poop from last night was pretty normal looking, nice clump. This one today was just so runny, specially the big brown stain.

Is it normal for them to poop inside of their hide? and then just lay in it? Drogo, my male poops outisde of his in the corner, as did she before but not this time.

I'm getting a ton of hours at work, so I *should* be able to get the necessary stuff for them both.

Feces, urine, and urates---you're correct.

You say you saw a mealworm part in the feces. Mealworms are more difficult to digest because of the chitin. I suggest switching to crickets. Might try silkworms too.

I think it is quite unusual for leos to poop inside their hides. The strong smell you report could also indicate a problem. Maybe she in not feeling good.

Good to hear that your leos will benefit from your extra work. How wonderful is that!

 

[EchotheGecko]

It's be good to get a photo of your male as well if we can. Its clear from looking at your female that she has a regenerated tail..... Did you friend mention her dropping her tail? It looks like she has plenty of fat stored back there though which is a good sign!

And if shes made that much of a wet mess whilst pooing, make sure she hasnt become dehydrated. So you have a moist hide in her tank?

 

[perfectlyflawed36]

I'm going to the pet store tonight to get crickets. Yes she did drop her tail, I guess the male was agressive with her and she dropped it, so I was told.

I woke up this morning and she had vomited up all of the mealworms from 2 days ago. They were whole, so I'm thinking she just couldn't digest them. I have a wet hide but neither of them use it. I don't want her to get dehydrated.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I'm going to the pet store tonight to get crickets. Yes she did drop her tail, I guess the male was agressive with her and she dropped it, so I was told.

I woke up this morning and she had vomited up all of the mealworms from 2 days ago. They were whole, so I'm thinking she just couldn't digest them. I have a wet hide but neither of them use it. I don't want her to get dehydrated.

:-( Are all your temps OK?

 

[EchotheGecko]

I'm going to the pet store tonight to get crickets. Yes she did drop her tail, I guess the male was agressive with her and she dropped it, so I was told.

I woke up this morning and she had vomited up all of the mealworms from 2 days ago. They were whole, so I'm thinking she just couldn't digest them. I have a wet hide but neither of them use it. I don't want her to get dehydrated.

They probably use it whilst you aren't looking. Have you got an accurate temperature for belly heat on the warm side? Without this she will not be able to digest properly. Get some crickets and dust with calcium w/d3 and see how she goes, though I.would collect vomit and stool samples and head to VET asap now. Could be parasites or a blockage due to sand.

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk 2

 

[perfectlyflawed36]

It's hard to tell, because the only thermometer I had is the crappy air one, Petco had no good ones that would tell floor temp. I'm going to this other pet store I forgot we had, they might have something else there, then I'm also doing to see if I can find a temp gun at Radio Shack or Best Buy tonight. Once I cleaned everything up she went back to sleep in her warm hide.

I really don't want to disturb her again by moving her to check the temp. I felt the floor with my hand and it felt like it was a good temperature. Air temp is 80 on their warm side, but I really have no way of getting an accurate reading, as I said this was all thrown at me. I didn't expect everything to cost so much because I had no idea how wrongly they were taken care of until I got them here. There's only so much I can do without putting myself in debt.

I really have no way to take them to the vet, I work all day today and then the weekend is coming up. I don't think it's a blockage because she's pooped a good amount since I changed out the sand.

 

[cricket4u]

It's hard to tell, because the only thermometer I had is the crappy air one, Petco had no good ones that would tell floor temp. I'm going to this other pet store I forgot we had, they might have something else there, then I'm also doing to see if I can find a temp gun at Radio Shack or Best Buy tonight. Once I cleaned everything up she went back to sleep in her warm hide.

I really don't want to disturb her again by moving her to check the temp. I felt the floor with my hand and it felt like it was a good temperature. Air temp is 80 on their warm side, but I really have no way of getting an accurate reading, as I said this was all thrown at me. I didn't expect everything to cost so much because I had no idea how wrongly they were taken care of until I got them here. There's only so much I can do without putting myself in debt.

I really have no way to take them to the vet, I work all day today and then the weekend is coming up. I don't think it's a blockage because she's pooped a good amount since I changed out the sand.

Yes please buy the thermometer. It is soooo important! I would not offer any insects right after she regurgitated. Give her at least 2 days for her stomache to settle down. She is in no danger weight wise, plenty of fat in that tail. The humidity hide is transparent and can be a reason for some not to make use of it. Maybe covering the lid with black electrical tape for now can help?

You can see grains of substrate mixed in the scattered areas of the feces as well. So at least she is passing it. Elizabeth is correct. Defecating inside their own resting site is usually an indication of illness. Meaning their immediate hide, not for example their moist hide or water dish.

 

[perfectlyflawed36]

The sand mixed in is probably just sand I missed from under thirty water dish. I forgot to wipe it off, because there is a lot of sandy I had to shake off the paper towel.

So I will get a thermometer tonight, and I'll give her a bit of time with out food. I really hope she's not sick and maybe just stressed. I'd imagine if an animal is not used to eating much and then eats too much they'd get sick. so that could be it also? I'm hoping at least.

 

[cricket4u]

Just keep in mind that if you buy a thermometer that remains in the enclosure, you will need 2. You do not want to transfer any objects from enclosure to enclosure, especially if she is showing signs of illness. If you buy a temp gun, you will also need a digital one with suction cups that you can move around in order to read air temps. These can come with humidity reading as well which is a bonus.

Examples: I have never tried these specific products myself.

http://www.bigappleherp.com/Big-Apple-Deluxe-Thermometers-Humidity-Gauges

http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store...lypage-26435&gclid=CJ3S1KD-3bECFcXb4Aod2QQA_w

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

The sand mixed in is probably just sand I missed from under thirty water dish. I forgot to wipe it off, because there is a lot of sandy I had to shake off the paper towel.

So I will get a thermometer tonight, and I'll give her a bit of time with out food. I really hope she's not sick and maybe just stressed. I'd imagine if an animal is not used to eating much and then eats too much they'd get sick. so that could be it also? I'm hoping at least.

This could be a case of "Too much, too soon."

Just keep in mind that if you buy a thermometer that remains in the enclosure, you will need 2. You do not want to transfer any objects from enclosure to enclosure, especially if she is showing signs of illness. If you buy a temp gun, you will also need a digital one with suction cups that you can move around in order to read air temps. These can come with humidity reading as well which is a bonus.

Examples: I have never tried these specific products myself.

Reptile And Animal Cage Digital Thermometers and Humidity Gauges

Terrarium Hygrometer Thermometer Reptile Products - GregRobert Pet Supplies

Let us know what type of thermometer you get. Some pet stores carry this nifty Fluker Farm's digital thermo/hygrometer which can be purchased for a better price online. It sticks on the tank with velcro, but you don't need to use the velcro so that you can move it around. This one does not have a probe and measures about 4 inches x 1.25 inches.

 

[perfectlyflawed36]

Hey all,

So I went and bought some crickets (the pet store in the mall is awesome, they gutload the crickets and were so helpful). I bought one new tank today, and decided to give it to her because she isn't doing as well. I also bought some multivitamins and pure calcium for their tank (right, this goes in their tank? 24/7?). Also found a temp gun, it doesn't stay in the tank but I'll just check the readings until my thermostat gets here. So far their warm side seems to be around 95-97 in the very hottest. Should I worry if their warm spot gets to 100? Unplug it for awhile or what? Just incase. The cooler end of the tank is 75. Air temp is low 80s in warm side and low 70's on cool side.

He seems to be doing really good today, it looks like he's grown a bit honestly, and before I even put the crickets in he was excited. Put a couple in to see what he did and he shook that little tail and pounced. Oh my gosh it was so fun watching him. I dusted them with the Calcium +D3, and I'd say he ate about 5 or 8 of them. He chased them all over the tank and seemed to dig it way more than those nasty meal worms. I'm not going to give her any until tomorrow though, just to let her get used to the new tank.

Picture time!

Here he is, Drogo (don't worry, I changed the nasty paper towel)

Here's her new set up cool hide, water dish, moist hide and warm hide. She loves her little coconut ^_^

aaaaand this adorable picture, I just happened to walk in and see her standing by her bowl, I've never seen them drink. I squeed with joy when I saw this.

I've put paper around their tanks to just block out some of the outside stimulus and light. I don't think he likes it lol, he seems very interested in everything.

 

[cricket4u]

I am so glad to see her in a larger enclosure. Yes, only the plain calcium (phosphorus free, NO d3) goes in the tank. Isn't it great to see their tails wiggle for the crickets? So what is the exact temp where she spends most of her time?


BTW, neither are skinny!

 

[perfectlyflawed36]

It's 96 in her hide it looks like.

 

[cricket4u]

It's 96 in her hide it looks like.

It looks like? If you notice her walking out of the hide a lot and drinking water, it may be too hot under her hide. You can add more layers of paper towel in order to reduce the temp until you recieve the thermostat.

 

[perfectlyflawed36]

It looks like is just like saying, "it appears to be". It was 96-95 in her hide, but I just put two more layers of paper towel on it, it now is 90. She did move into her cool hide now.
When I get the thermostat should I put the probe under the paper towels? Like in the middle of the layers or what?

 

[cricket4u]

It looks like is just like saying, "it appears to be". It was 96-95 in her hide, but I just put two more layers of paper towel on it, it now is 90. She did move into her cool hide now.
When I get the thermostat should I put the probe under the paper towels? Like in the middle of the layers or what?

No, on the top layer so that it's accurate. You don't have an overhead heating source yet correct?

 

[perfectlyflawed36]

Just saw you said neither look skinny, which makes me happy.

I do not have an overhead heating source because it seems the air temp is fine, it's not too hot or too cold on each end. I didn't think the overhead heating sources were necessary unless it's too cold. Am I wrong?

Also, do they need lights? UV lights or anything? It seems I've read that no, they don't and then yes they do. They seem to be doing fine without it.

 

[cricket4u]

Just saw you said neither look skinny, which makes me happy.

I do not have an overhead heating source because it seems the air temp is fine, it's not too hot or too cold on each end. I didn't think the overhead heating sources were necessary unless it's too cold. Am I wrong?

Also, do they need lights? UV lights or anything? It seems I've read that no, they don't and then yes they do. They seem to be doing fine without it.

You must also provide an air temperature gradient. You don't want your geckos to stay in their hides 24/7 just to keep warm. The problem is you need a reliable thermometer which reads air temp. This is what I had explained a few post before.

UVB is a subject of benefit, not required in order to sustain life.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

If the warm hide floor temp measures between 90-93F, and hot air rises (like it is supposed to), is it possible for the air temp say like 6 inches above the warm hide to be in an acceptable range without the overhead heating?

However, I would think having an overhead dome of 10 inches in diameter would spread out the warm rays better.