Leo has sand impaction

[CRMason]

Thank you all for your advice and concern, I rushed Peach to the emergency vet about 2 hours away (ugh) but got her looked at and turns out she did have sand impaction after all. The vet was very optimistic since I "seem to know what I'm doing" (thanks to all of you) so she has to soak in water 15-20mins twice a day for a week, she was so dehydrated apparently. I think she'll be ok, she's already moving around a bit now, and drank lots of water at the vet's office.

Also here is her XRay with the impaction circled.

 

[leofreaky]

wow sorry about your gecko.

 

[CRMason]

wow sorry about your gecko.

Aww it's ok, we're optimistic, I'm sure she'll be fine in a week or so.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Gecko Prolapse Experience Due to Sand

Hi ~

I have a northern velvet gecko (Oedura castelnaui) who once prolapsed due to eating a wee bit of Jurassic Reptile Playsand. The emergency vet was able to reinsert the tissues without any stitches. Then she recommended cat lax to the gecko's lips 1x/day, tepid water soak 1x/day no longer than 10-15 minutes, and chicken baby food only until the impaction was passed. My gecko fully recovered, but it took more than one week.

 

[Karagain]

I'm so sorry for you gecko =[ I hope she will be ok!

My first gecko died from sand impaction that she got from the petstore. I hope she pulls through!

 

[CRMason]

Hi ~

I have a northern velvet gecko (Oedura castelnaui) who once prolapsed due to eating a wee bit of Jurassic Reptile Playsand. The emergency vet was able to reinsert the tissues without any stitches. Then she recommended cat lax to the gecko's lips 1x/day, tepid water soak 1x/day no longer than 10-15 minutes, and chicken baby food only until the impaction was passed. My gecko fully recovered, but it took more than one week.

We can't afford to take her back to the vet until we get paid this friday but can cat lax and chicken baby food be bought at a pet store? Or does a vet have to give it to us?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

You can buy Gerber's chicken baby food at many a grocery store. I'm not sure about the cat lax. (You don't need much cat lax.) That is what cats get to dislodge furballs. The reason I suggested the chicken baby food is that crickets and mealworms have some tough parts/skeletons/legs.

When she passes the sand impaction you should be able to see/feel it in her poop.

Is there any way you could ask your vet about my ideas via telephone since you already visited? Does he/she specialize in exotic animals?

What I wrote worked for my gecko. Don't overdo the 10-15 minute tepid water soak.

Thank you very much for attaching Peach's x-ray. I'm hoping that her x-ray will make an added "case" for not choosing sand at least in the beginning!

We can't afford to take her back to the vet until we get paid this friday but can cat lax and chicken baby food be bought at a pet store? Or does a vet have to give it to us?

 

[CRMason]

I will give the vet a call tomorrow and see about the lax and talk about what you told me. Yes he's an exotic vet. Also we'll grab some of the chicken baby food, is it liquid enough to give it to her with a syringe?

And you're welcome about the xray, I do hope it will be a lesson and a warning to anyone considering sand.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

The chicken baby food would need thinning with water to make it suitable for a syringe. (Syringe feeding itself can be stressful.)

What I hope is that Peach will lick enough of the chicken baby food directly off her lips to sustain her till she passes the impaction!

 

[houseape57]

She may not eat with the impaction. I'm surprised the Dr didn't give you any meds to move this lump along. I use one drop (no more then that) of mineral or olive oil to move things along, has worked well for me for many years.

 

[CRMason]

I'm not having any problems feeding her the baby food through the syringe. She's taking to it alright. Also I'll be getting some cat lax tomorrow, vet said that could help.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thanks for your update. Glad you are getting some cat lax!! Is she pooping regularly?

 

[CRMason]

Thanks for your update. Glad you are getting some cat lax!! Is she pooping regularly?

no, she's hasn't had any bowel movement since we got her 9 days ago. Also hasn't eaten since we got her, until we force fed her today.

 

[CRMason]

Update! Peach finally had a bowel movement today. I picked through it and there is a small amount of sand in it, so I guess that's good. Just the fact that she FINALLY pooped is a huge deal.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hey ~ That is VERY GOOD NEWS! I was beginning to be a bit worried. Keep her diet ONLY the consistency of chicken baby food. It obviously of utmost importance for her to pass her diet right now and the sand impaction little by little if that's how it comes.

The very last thing you want is for a more "fibrous" diet to compound the impaction.

Have you tried just placing a dab of chicken baby food on her lips to see what will happen?

Soon you will have the cat lax. That (or a single drop of mineral or olive oil or probably canola oil) will hopefully have the desired laxative effect. You want Peach pass her impaction gradually. Don't know whether a prolapse could occur if she passed her impaction all at once.

I am glad that you noticed when things were not quite right AND took the necessary action. The x-ray confirmed things.

 

[CRMason]

Hey ~ That is VERY GOOD NEWS! I was beginning to be a bit worried. Keep her diet ONLY the consistency of chicken baby food. It obviously of utmost importance for her to pass her diet right now and the sand impaction little by little if that's how it comes.

I too was starting to think she might not survive but her bowel movement made me a little more hopeful, I just hope it continues on this good path.

The very last thing you want is for a more "fibrous" diet to compound the impaction.

So you suggest I do not try feeding her crickets or mealworms or anything?

Have you tried just placing a dab of chicken baby food on her lips to see what will happen?

I have, she will lick it up or wipe it off so I've been syringe feeding her to make sure she IS eating it.

Soon you will have the cat lax. That (or a single drop of mineral or olive oil or probably canola oil) will hopefully have the desired laxative effect. You want Peach pass her impaction gradually. Don't know whether a prolapse could occur if she passed her impaction all at once.

Yeah my husband is bringing home some cat lax when he gets home from work.

I am glad that you noticed when things were not quite right AND took the necessary action. The x-ray confirmed things.

Thanks, I try to do my best, though it's hard with little or no money.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Yes, ONLY feed totally soft food like chicken baby food. Chicken baby food is good for protein, and, I think, will suffice till her impaction has passed. Every once in awhile, mix in some phosphorous-free calcium with D3.

Where did you find the cat lax?

 

[CRMason]

Ok will do. My husband picked up Laxatone Natural from Petland. The vet said pretty much any pet store will carry laxative.

 

[JordanAng420]

Have you tried warm soaks with this gecko? Sometimes that can help to pass stool and soothe the GI tract.

I would get another xray done on this gecko in about a week to 10 days to see where the impaction is at, and if it's passed.

If the xray clears, I would go ahead and start feeding solid food.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Don't overdue the syringe feeding. Maybe every other night? Most important for Peach not to get blocked up and to pass things including the sand.


1. One tepid water soak 10-15 minutes/day

2. Bit of cat lax to her lips once a day

3. Feed only chicken baby food