Yet Another Poop Question

[RobinAZ]

I've had Tyrion for six days now and so far no poop. He's eating meal worms, drinking water, and acting totally fine. I gave him a warm bath last night but no luck. Maybe the water wasn't warm enough. When I got him from the reptile store he was kept in a tank with plantation soil and that's what they sold me. The said they've used it for years with all their geckos and no problems with impaction. Yesterday I took out all the plantation soil and changed it to tile because of what I've read on this forum. Tyrion has always been fed from a bowl, not from the ground. Anyhow, unless I missed poop on the plantation soil he has not gone. His tummy looks okay. Will attach a pic of his tank. I have a light mounted on the wall above the tank just for light, not heat. The warm side of the tank has a warm hide, other side has cool hide. The tupperware container in the middle is moist hide. Temp on warm side in the hide is about 90. Suggestions?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi Robin ~

Just a suggestion for now: It will be extremely helpful if you continue your questions about leo Tyrion on one thread. It really helps us to see where you've been with him without needing to chase threads. All we have is time. Not enough time as it is.

 

[RobinAZ]

Sorry

 

[Gixxer450]

Its all cool robin at least you know now and welcome to the fourm!!

 

[lbanta]

Nice looking gecko home you have there! Welcome to GU!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I've had Tyrion for six days now and so far no poop. He's eating meal worms, drinking water, and acting totally fine. I gave him a warm bath last night but no luck. Maybe the water wasn't warm enough. When I got him from the reptile store he was kept in a tank with plantation soil and that's what they sold me. The said they've used it for years with all their geckos and no problems with impaction. Yesterday I took out all the plantation soil and changed it to tile because of what I've read on this forum. Tyrion has always been fed from a bowl, not from the ground. Anyhow, unless I missed poop on the plantation soil he has not gone. His tummy looks okay. Will attach a pic of his tank. I have a light mounted on the wall above the tank just for light, not heat. The warm side of the tank has a warm hide, other side has cool hide. The tupperware container in the middle is moist hide. Temp on warm side in the hide is about 90. Suggestions?

View attachment 34764

After catching up with Tyrion's posts I apologize, Robin. All you've really posted was your intro post and this thread. I noticed where you had researched substrate because Tyrion came from a shop where he had been on plantation soil. No worries at all. My bad. Let's carry on.

Your setup looks good, great size and all! Nice hides with small private entrances; efficient moist hide as well.

2. How about sharing pictures of Tyrion and his belly?
3. Any poop yet? Try a drop of vegetable, olive, or mineral oil on his nose. That might help.
4. When you soak him, aim for 86*F. That's a leo's preferred body temperature.
5. How about scooting the moist hide closer to the warm end?
6. Are you keeping it moist 24/7?
7. Have you an UTH? Dimensions?

It's important to make sure the temps are on track. Zoo Med's (yellow) digital thermometers with a probe can be found at many pet stores for about $10. That way we can verify warm end ground and cool end ground temps.

 

[RobinAZ]

I will get a pic of his belly in a little bit. He just ate again and he is acting completely fine but no poops yet. I check inside the hides, everywhere. I am keeping the moist hide moist 24/7 - pretty much spraying it every morning and it seems to stay damp till I spray again. I have an UTH that covers maybe 1/3 of the 20 gallon tank and his warm hide is right over it. I will move the moist hide closer. I did the vegetable oil 2 days ago and he got a good drop of it. I am at a loss. It's been a week since I bought him and he appears very healthy, tail is still nice and fat as it was when I bought him. The man at the reptile store said he's around a year old - I've been feeding him every other day and he's eating 5 meal worms. He has calcium with D3. Anyhow - I'll get the pic in a few minutes. Thanks for answering

 

[Gixxer450]

Here you go robin Zoo Med Digital Thermometer for Terrarius for Reptiles or Aquariums | eBay save 1 for me!! lol :biggrin:

 

[RobinAZ]

I hope this belly pic is good enough. He's just getting used to being held and didn't like being turned over so had to do it this way. Looking at it myself, it looks normal. All white, no blue spot.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

You seem very thorough! :yahoo:

It's hard to tell about the belly area from your photo. "All white, no blue spot." sounds good. How does the belly feel all over when you gently press it? Hard, soft?

Leos really never like being turned over. It's a self preservation thing. Sometimes it's easier to take belly pictures if you press them up against clear glass or a clear deli cup.

How often are you using calcium with D3? Brand? Lightly dusted prey?

 

[RobinAZ]

His belly doesn't feel hard. It feels ohhhh..how to describe. Softish to firm but not hard. I have a bowl with the calcium in it in his enclosure. The brand is Exo-Terra. When I feed him I put the meal worms in the bowl with the calcium and make sure they are covered. He eats almost as soon as I put the worms out. I'll try to get a better picture of his belly later. I didn't want to stress him out too much today. Would it be okay to give him another drop of oil today?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

His belly doesn't feel hard. It feels ohhhh..how to describe. Softish to firm but not hard. I have a bowl with the calcium in it in his enclosure. The brand is Exo-Terra. When I feed him I put the meal worms in the bowl with the calcium and make sure they are covered. He eats almost as soon as I put the worms out. I'll try to get a better picture of his belly later. I didn't want to stress him out too much today. Would it be okay to give him another drop of oil today?

Yes, it will be safe to give him another drop of vegetable oil.

Best to remove the calcium with D3 from the enclosure. Too much chance of overdose. I suggest ONLY lightly dusting the mealworms 2x per week, not at every feeding.

When you run out of the Exo Terra calcium with D3, I recommend Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3. The amount of D3 in the latter is less, but enough.

 

[RobinAZ]

Thank you! Will do that right away. And I'll try to get a better belly picture tomorrow. I'm going to leave him alone tonight except for the drop of oil. I really appreciate all the help.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

:biggrin:

 

[RobinAZ]

Still no poop

 

[RobinAZ]

Called the reptile store and they told me to add damp paper towels to bring up the humidity but not sure if this is correct. They said because the humidity in their tanks is higher due to using plantation soil. I'm so confused.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Still no poop

Called the reptile store and they told me to add damp paper towels to bring up the humidity but not sure if this is correct. They said because the humidity in their tanks is higher due to using plantation soil. I'm so confused.

1. Did you move the humid hide closer to the warm hide?
2. Can you see droplets inside it from condensation?
3. Will Tyrion go inside?

Add a large water dish over the heat mat to increase the humidity.

During a soak massage his belly from throat to vent to help pass things along.

 

[cricket4u]

Still no poop

Hello Robin AZ,

Based on the picture hydration does not appear to be an issue, nor underfeeding at this point. I would focus on making sure you are checking temps with a reliable thermometer. Ask the pet store if mealworms were the only items fed and if they ever provided a multivitamin supplement. If say your leo was only fed mealworms and not provided with a small amount of multivitamin chances are your leo is deficient in some nutrients. This can lead to lack of bowel movements as well as too much calcium. I'd say ruling out temperature issues first will be best.

 

[RobinAZ]

I did move the moist hide closer to the warm side. There are droplets. He hasn't gone in there. I put him in but he came back out. I can try again after the warm soak.

The Geckos are fed meal worms in the shop with calcium with D3.

It's just crazy. Tyrion seems totally fine. Do Geckos ever eat their poop like some dogs do? I will bath and stroke his tummy tonight and do another drop of oil. I feel bad, like I am traumatizing him. I gave him a couple meal worms by hand so he'd know I love him.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I did move the moist hide closer to the warm side. There are droplets. He hasn't gone in there. I put him in but he came back out. I can try again after the warm soak.

The Geckos are fed meal worms in the shop with calcium with D3.

It's just crazy. Tyrion seems totally fine. Do Geckos ever eat their poop like some dogs do? I will bath and stroke his tummy tonight and do another drop of oil. I feel bad, like I am traumatizing him. I gave him a couple meal worms by hand so he'd know I love him.

Thanks for replying to my questions. I don't think geckos eat their poop. :razz:

What are you feeding Tyrion's mealworms? If you'd like, I can share some mealworm tips from acpart/Aliza who feeds her leos those.

Temp on warm side in the hide is about 90.

BTW, what type thermometer are you using to measure the warm end temps in the hide @ ~90*F?