Poops only once a week?

[avoidtheboyd]

So for the last two weeks after switching to dubia roaches my gecko only seems to poop one large defecation seems like every saturday night. She still has a voracious appetite and the feces looks healthy but I was just wondering if anyone has any opinions on this matter. I have talked to my veterinarian and he said it seems to be ok since she is active and has a great appetite. My dubia are really small but she eats around 10 to 15 a night.

 

[cricket4u]

Hi,

So you want opinions right? No, it's not normal unless you feed her once a week. Feel free to post pictures of the enclosure and fill out the questionnaire.

 

[avoidtheboyd]

I can't find the questionnaire. Shes on repti carpet at the moment with a UTH on the hot side that ranges from 91 to 93. She has three hides warm, cold, and moist. A water and calcium with no d3 bowl with a d3 dusting and vitamin supplement dusting each once a week. She also has a lamp on the warm side of the enclosure that keeps the air around 82 degrees about 6 inches from the ground. I cant post pictures because I'm in college and just went back after visiting for today and my mother doesn't have a camera.

 

[cassicat4]

Once a week seems excessive. I would be concerned that yours is having difficulty digesting the dubias, either due to temperature problems or issues with size of prey. What size are you feeding and how often? You mentioned "small", but what size is that, specifically?

Mine usually go once every 3 days...but they're only fed every 3 days. Sometimes they'll only eat once a week, and yes, in that case, they'll only go once a week.

While going once a week may not be a huge cause for concern if it's very occasional, I would be concerned if it was a regular event.

 

[avoidtheboyd]

Theyre probably like 1/2 in to not quite an inch. Her appetite is voracious and shes really active she just all of a sudden only poops once a week for the past two weeks.

 

[cricket4u]

The questionnaire is in this thread. http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/pests-diseases/62178-educational-links.html

You have taken pictures in the past.

 

[avoidtheboyd]

I know I have taken picture in the past but I had to go back to college soon after I created this thread and did not think about taking pictures.

 

[avoidtheboyd]

Gender: female
Age:3 years
Weight: 76 grams
How big was the reptile when you first acquired it? about 25 grams
Source (pet store, breeder, previous owner):breeder
Captive bred or wild caught?CB

Enclosure:

Cage: type, size: 20 gal long
Substrate provided? repti carpet for now
What types of hiding places are provided?hot, cold, moist
Is there a humidity hide? location? middle of tank
Please describe any other furnishings: calci and water dish also a tunnel type log

Lighting:

Artificial lighting? red heat bulb
incandescent (“screw-in” bulbs): wattage(s) ?
fluorescent (tube bulbs)?

Temperature:

Do you have a thermometer(s) in the cage? what type? temp gun
What is the temperature in the warm part of the cage?under the warm hide?91 to 93
In the coolest part? 73
What device(s) are used to maintain the temperature? hot rock, UTH, heat light, ceramic heater, other: UTH and red heat bulb
Are you using a thermostat? rheostat
Which hide does she/he spend most of her time? warm

Is the temperature decreased at night? by how much? Light is turned off so air temp decreases about 5 degrees

Diet:

Insects, list type? dubia roaches
Are they “gut loaded”? If so with? maily veggies
How often do you feed your reptile? every day
Please list any supplements used. How are they given and how often?
What calcium brand are you using? with D3, without or both? rep cal with and without d3
Is the calcium in the tank with D3 or without?without
Multivitamins? herptivite

Please list any recent additions/changes in the diet:
e feces only poops once a week for last 2 weeks

 

[cricket4u]

I have heard several people complain that when they feed roaches only to their leos, they noticed less bowel movements. I suggest you start feeding variety and really consider the suggestions below.

Temperature:

Do you have a thermometer(s) in the cage? what type? temp gun Buy a digital thermometer to read air temps.
What is the temperature in the warm part of the cage?under the warm hide?91 to 93
In the coolest part? 73 Measure air temps - Too high or too cool can cause problems
What device(s) are used to maintain the temperature? hot rock, UTH, heat light, ceramic heater, other: UTH and red heat bulb
Are you using a thermostat? rheostat Buy a thermostat for both heat sorces.
Which hide does she/he spend most of her time? warm

Is the temperature decreased at night? by how much? Light is turned off so air temp decreases about 5 degrees

Diet:

Insects, list type? dubia roaches Feed variety
Are they “gut loaded”? If so with? maily veggies Look at the caresheet for proper gutloading.
How often do you feed your reptile? every day
Please list any supplements used. How are they given and how often?
What calcium brand are you using? with D3, without or both? rep cal with and without d3Rep Cal is very high in D3, it would be best to switch to Zoo Med.
Is the calcium in the tank with D3 or without?without
Multivitamins? herptivite Herptivite only contains beta-carotene, not Vitamin A which many believe is necessary for insectivores.