I believe my gecko is dying..

Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
LostTogether said:
Okay, I'm terrified at this point. So, he was in the humid box, and I decided to put the heat lamp on it in case Porkchop was cold. I went to the bathroom and came back and saw he moved towards the middle of the box, sleeping still. I sat down on my bed and checked him a minute later and he had flipped upside-down on his back. He's still breathing right now and I am holding him on my lap. I know one person on here commented before that if he flips on his back, its definitely not a good sign.

Can someone tell me what could possibly be wrong and what I could do?

Never mind, why am I even asking such a silly question like that? If he's ready to let go, then ill let him. If he's in pain, I don't want him to suffer.
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I fixed my link about the Death Rattle from Wiki on post #254.

I believe that Porkchop may be ready to go.
 
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L

LostTogether

New member
He's still not letting go.. I'm just waiting.

And he always had saliva build up after he took his medicine. The gurgling sound was because I gave him way too much water at once. He swallowed the water fine before I gave him the medicine but I kept giving him water after I gave him the medicine, so that's probably what caused it. He's still alive right now 21 hours after the incident.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
LostTogether said:
He's still not letting go.. I'm just waiting.

And he always had saliva build up after he took his medicine. The gurgling sound was because I gave him way too much water at once. He swallowed the water fine before I gave him the medicine but I kept giving him water after I gave him the medicine, so that's probably what caused it. He's still alive right now 21 hours after the incident.
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I see, LostTogether. I know how hard this is for both of you. :-(
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
LostTogether said:
If this was, supposedly, the "death rattle", how long do you think he'd have to live?
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I don't know, LostTogether. :-(

Death Rattle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"A death rattle, known clinically as terminal respiratory secretions or simply terminal secretions,[1] is a sound often produced by someone who is near death when fluids such as saliva and bronchial secretions accumulate in the throat and upper chest.[2] Those who are dying may lose their ability to swallow and may have increased production of bronchial secretions, resulting in such an accumulation. Usually, two or three days earlier the symptoms of death can be observed as saliva accumulates in the throat, making it very difficult to take even a spoonful of water. Related symptoms can include shortness of breath and rapid chest movement. While death rattle is a strong indication that someone is near death,[3] it can also be produced by other problems that cause interference with the swallowing reflex, such as the case with brain injuries.[2]

It is sometimes misinterpreted as the sound of the person choking to death, or alternatively, that they are gargling. In hospice and palliative care, drugs such as glycopyrronium, hyoscine hydrobromide (scopolamine) or atropine may be used for their anticholinergic effects to reduce secretions and minimize this effect.[4]"
 
L

LostTogether

New member
He seems to be doing a bit better this afternoon. He's holding his head up more and moving around a bit, even with his eyes closed still. He didn't make any gurgling sounds after I gave him his pain medicine and a couple drops of bottled water.

He got his nose under the soaking water again. He always splashes around everywhere when I put him in there even if I try and hold his head up. He calms down afterwards though. I'm going to keep him in there for another 5-10 minutes, or at least until the water starts to cool down.

Two questions:

1.) Do chirping crickets annoy the geckos?

2.) I have well water and my mom told me that they had but salt in the water. Should I start only giving him bottled water to drink and should I soak him in bottled water, or could I soak him with our tap water?

I'm going to try and feed him tonight again. I got some smaller crickets now that he could easily eat, and they're finally gut-loaded with the food Elizabeth suggested :)
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
LostTogether said:
He seems to be doing a bit better this afternoon. He's holding his head up more and moving around a bit, even with his eyes closed still. He didn't make any gurgling sounds after I gave him his pain medicine and a couple drops of bottled water.

He got his nose under the soaking water again. He always splashes around everywhere when I put him in there even if I try and hold his head up. He calms down afterwards though. I'm going to keep him in there for another 5-10 minutes, or at least until the water starts to cool down.

Two questions:

1.) Do chirping crickets annoy the geckos?

2.) I have well water and my mom told me that they had but salt in the water. Should I start only giving him bottled water to drink and should I soak him in bottled water, or could I soak him with our tap water?

I'm going to try and feed him tonight again. I got some smaller crickets now that he could easily eat, and they're finally gut-loaded with the food Elizabeth suggested :)
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Let's go with the bottled water for drinking. Tap water is alright for soaking.

Which food did you get to feed the crickets? I've recommended a couple. :)

I don't think chirping crickets annoy geckos. At least no gecko ever told me such. ;-)

PS: Make sure the soaking water is not too warm. 86 F, a leo's preferred body temp, might be just right.
 
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L

LostTogether

New member
All set with the water then :)

The natural Adult bearded dragon food.

But I'm kinda iffy about one thing: Petsmart was feeding the crickets some brown sugary looking stuff. What is that stuff and was it okay for them to eat it before?
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Just feed your leopard geckos' crickets Zoo Med's Natural Bearded Dragon Food Adult Formula from here on out.

Crickets' digestive tracts aren't all that long. Whatever they ate at Petsmart will be gone soon enough. :lol:
 
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L

LostTogether

New member
I got plenty of the bearded dragon food for the future.

And alright, good. Would it be safe to feed the crickets to my geckos today? The crickets had the petsmart food yesterday.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
LostTogether said:
I got plenty of the bearded dragon food for the future.

And alright, good. Would it be safe to feed the crickets to my geckos today? The crickets had the petsmart food yesterday.
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You bought the Adult Formula Beardie food?

If you fed Apple, Junior, and Porkchop on Monday, then do the next feeding on Wednesday. :)
 
L

LostTogether

New member
Should I try and feed Porkchop again? What if he doesn't take it by himself? Should I try and put it in his mouth again, or is it not worth the stress? I have smaller crickets, so it should be easier for him
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
LostTogether said:
Should I try and feed Porkchop again? What if he doesn't take it by himself? Should I try and put it in his mouth again, or is it not worth the stress? I have smaller crickets, so it should be easier for him
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Let's see whether Porkchop will eat the smaller crickets from your hand. If not, I would not force them down.
 
L

LostTogether

New member
The only good thing that happenedis that he opened both of his eyes when I put the eye ointment on them. He licked it off soon after though. I'm going to use the ointment from now on.
 
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