I have had my Leopard gecko on calcium sand for about a year now, and I have been doing some research and realized that that is very bad! It was too late, and I think he was impacted. I soaked him for about a week and he had a great big poop, but that was six days ago. Since then he hasn't pooped. I can't take him to the vet, it's too expensive( Im just a kid). I dont know what to do so many people have given me totally different advice. The worst thing is that I can only guess what is wrong. Sorry I dont have any more info. I would really appreciate it if somebody could help me.
I Need Help Now
- Thread starter herpluvr
- Start date
If he's still eating and his belly isn't getting bloated, he's probably not impacted. Keep an eye on him (some of them just don't poop that often) and give him more soaks if you're worried. It sounds as if you don't have an under tank heater, which can be OK as long as you can keep the hot side in the low to mid 90's (floor,not air temperature). If it's not warm enough it can be hard for him to digest.
Aliza
Aliza
I do have a UTH its 25 or 40 watts i cant remember which, and I just got him a new 100 watt day bulb but he doesnt want to go over to that side he wants to be where the UTH is. I cant move the light over the UTH because it would cause stress cracks. I'll keep on soaking him just to make sure. Thanks for all your help. Ill tell you if something else happens.
He probably wants to be over the UTH because he likes the belly heat. Make sure that if you have the light on the other side that the whole tank isn't getting to the same temperature because they need a cool side and a warm side. Technically, leopard geckos don't need lighting at all because they're nocturnal but some people are using lights for heat.
Aliza
Aliza
He was a little hesitant to eat. My mom said he looked normal but I think he looks a little bloated. He's shedding so hopefully he will poop that out. Just to make sure I'm going to start soaking him again. Can you tell me how? All i know is to bathe him in warm water for about 10-15 minutes.
That's how to do it: put about 1/2" or so of warm water in the sink and let him sit in there.
Aliza
The oil will not help. The best thing you can do is to not dust your crickets for a while (couple /few months), and soak it. This is most commonly done ina tupperware container with holes punched in the top, fill the bottom with tepid water (80-90 degrees) up so the bottom half of the geckos is in the water and the top half is not. Let him sit all day or all night but not both, or at least a few hours in a day. Do this a few times, wait a some days and then do it again. At some point you should see that it eats normally, appears normal, poops normally, and if you were REALLY worried, take it to any vet for an X-ray, as it will show up on an xray like a bright white blob in the middle if it was impacted to any degree.
Riverside Reptiles
Administrator (HMFIC)
I personally wouldn't do anything but leave him alone for a few days and see what happens. All these soaks and oil treatments etc often do nothing more than stress the animal and create more problems. It's one thing if you know for certain that there's something wrong (ie Impaction). But it sounds to me if as if you're jumping the gun a bit.