Please help quickly

[fan.]

my leopard gecko has not gone to the bathroom in a few days (i forget how many, but enough that i've become worried.) i use heat lights that i honestly regret buying. back to the point - she's staying in her hide ALL DAY. she comes out to eat, but afterwards goes straight back in her hide and lays down. she could not have consumed any substrate as she is on porcelain tiles. the problem with the lights is that they don't heat up the tiles quick enough after i clean out her tank!!! could she be constipated? i'm really scared that she's going to die or something! i'm honestly so panicked + i need advice.

i've been looking at getting a UTH the past few days. there is a zooMed one at my local petsmart that says its for a 20 long tank, should i get that one? also, i'm kinda REALLY confused about what thermostat i'm supposed to get?

 

[kvnsu]

First of all, take a deep breath.

What is the warm spot surface temperature with the overhead lighting? It is recommended to be around 88-92. You can measure this temp with a digital probe or temp gun. And what have you been feeding her? It is normal for your gecko to hide mostly during the day. They're nocturnal and there would be many predators in the wild that would hunt for them during the day. She is probably not going to die, they're very hardy creatures.

As a last resort, you could always try a lukewarm bath(10-15 mins) but this could stress your gecko at the same time. I would recommend slowly and gently massaging his/her belly during this time.

Lastly for a UTH it is recommended to get one but if your overhead lighting is already getting the recommended temperatures why spend money on something you don't need? It is generally recommended for beginners to get a UTH because they're simple to regulate w/ a thermostat. As far as thermostat goes, any thermostat that can control temps work. I found Amazon has the best prices for these.

 

[fan.]

thank you for the quick reply.

the warm spot is usually said to be about 90, but the problem is that the lights do not heat the floor quick enough when i clean her tank (its been about 3 days since i last cleaned her and it still is not heating up properly. from the top of my head, she went to the bathroom 2-3 days prior, so about a week of not pooping. this may not be right on the dot since i truly don't remember and am going off of when i last thought i saw poop in the tank.). i feed her crickets every day since she is still a juvenile, though i'lll likely switch her to dubia roaches at some point (are these a good staple diet? another leo owner told me it is, but i'd like another opinion). also, she is very active at night usually and i have not seen her come out at all except for food, which concerns me.

my gecko is very skittish and afraid of me still. i have been working with her on trusting me more but it is very hard for me to get her to let me pick her up. i will find time to try to get her out and do the warm bath.

i've decided that i'll probably go with a UTH since i've heard they last longer than lights. i've had to buy about 4 (double packs!) of lights in the 2-3 months i've had her, and the cost is adding up. i'd rather get her something that will last a while and save money for other things for her (food, calcium powder, etc.) i'll be heading to petsmart today to see if i can find a UTH and if i can't find a thermostat that has good ratings there, then i'll check amazon.

 

[kvnsu]

The best diet is a varied diet! Dubia roaches can be used as a staple, just make sure whatever you're feeding her; gut load the insects!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

i've been looking at getting a UTH the past few days. there is a zooMed one at my local petsmart that says its for a 20 long tank, should i get that one? also, i'm kinda REALLY confused about what thermostat i'm supposed to get?

It's best to get an UTH that fills half the area of the ground. For a 20 long tank (30 x 12 x 12 inches) that's an 11 x 17 inch UTH. Flukers and Ultratherm make this size. It's available via Amazon.



Hydrofarm's Jump Start MTPRTC thermostat is the only thermostat I know of with a small metal probe and a digital readout. Also Amazon.

You'll need a digital thermometer or a temp gun to verify the thermostat or a HDE temp gun.

Click: HDE Non-Contact Infrared IR Temperature Gun Digital Thermometer: Science Lab Digital Thermometers: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific