Big problem.

[LeopardLunatic]

Ok before anyone says anything yes i was one of the people that was defending sand. But i ended up making a stupid move and instead of buying the sand i trust i bought some T-rex glow in the dark calci sand thinking it would be cool, and yes i said glow in the dark. well now i think my big girl is impacted, at first i thought it was because she had just been bred but its been 3-4 weeks since she ate except for one day when i hand fed her 4 wax worms and she is not going to the bathroom. What do i do ive been soaking her in warm water and i heard some where to give them vegetable oil to help discompact the sand should i do that too, I dont want to lose her she was my first leo. Her tail is really thin i need help fast.

 

[curiousKathy]

I was told to use mineral oil not vegetable oil because the the vegetable oil will be absorbed by the intestines whereas the mineral oil will lubricate things. Did you get rid of the sand? Get rid of it and use paper towels for awhile. It was also suggested to me to up your belly heat a little bit...92-94*F just until she poops; the additional heat may help the process combined with the warm soaks and mineral oil. What temp is the water for the soaks? I used 94*F water measured with a baby bath water thermometer. The other obvious option is to take her to the vet...

Keep us posted!

Kathy

 

[LeopardLunatic]

yes i got rid of the sand shes on shelf liner now. Im not sure what a vet is gonna do at this but point out wether or not shes impacted and i dont see the point in paying that much money for something like that, not that im being neglectful.

 

[ReptileMan27]

Get it to a vet ASAP, sand strikes again, it still wont change some peoples mind, if your leo were indeed to die from it(really hope not). the only way to be for sure if it was the sand or whatever is a vet. The vet should be able to tell you whats wrong and how serious, if some expensive surgery was needed, that would be up to you.

 

[GeckoMandi]

yes i got rid of the sand shes on shelf liner now. Im not sure what a vet is gonna do at this but point out wether or not shes impacted and i dont see the point in paying that much money for something like that, not that im being neglectful.

Well I can see some people never learn, it seems you knew the sand was a risk and yet you did it anyway, now your gecko might be sick and you think that paying for vet treatment is pointless? If the gecko is thin and not eating some intervention needs to happen.

My only advice to you is get something easier to care for like a cat or dog, because obviously Leopard Geckos are way off your level.

 

[KiKi]

take her to avet asap

 

[jmkbama]

Well I can see some people never learn, it seems you knew the sand was a risk and yet you did it anyway, now your gecko might be sick and you think that paying for vet treatment is pointless? If the gecko is thin and not eating some intervention needs to happen.

My only advice to you is get something easier to care for like a cat or dog, because obviously Leopard Geckos are way off your level.

Maybe it is just me, but I think if someone makes a mistake, no matter how dumb or obvious the mistake is, and then comes to this forum and admits the mistake and asks for help, that it would be more appropriate to try and help the person instead of belittling their mistake and telling them how stupid they are. To me that is more useful to the animal in the long run.

With that said, I agree completely that A. even the vast majority of people who say it is ok to use sand still say under no cirumstance should you ever use calci-sand. I also very much agree that if you can't afford the vet, you shouldn't have the pet. I believe that is in one of the members signature line.

I am a newbie to leopard geckos, but I would strongly recommend that you get your gecko to a vet as soon as possible. The primary goal should be to save the animal, not worry about the vet bill at this point. Until you get to the vet, if it were me, I would try anything and everything reasonable such as mineral oil, etc. that other members have suggested. And I would make sure that I never even considered using sand again, especially calci-sand.

Good luck, I hope your geko turns out ok.

 

[Val]

While I agree that no one should be belittled when they come here asking for advice, it's a whole other ballgame when someone says something like, "Im not sure what a vet is gonna do at this but point out wether or not shes impacted and i dont see the point in paying that much money for something like that, not that im being neglectful." I as well as many other people on this site will get upset. When you buy a pet whether it be a $1500 dog or a $2.00 hamster you have paid for a responsibility. No matter what the animal is, it is in your care and I feel it is your responsibility to do everything you can to give that animal a good life. If that means paying quadruple what you paid for the animal to your vet, then that's what you do. If the soaks aren't helping, then you need to see a vet.

 

[GeckoMandi]

I was not trying to belittle anyone but I may have come off sounding mean, I just get tired of people buying snakes/lizards and thinking they don't need vet attention, they assume that the bill will be to much or whatever the reason. But most people won't think twice before taking their dog or cat in to seek medical help. ( I don't mean all reptile/pet owners) there is people that out there that neglect all animals.

Also I don't think in my post anywhere did I call anyone stupid, I would never do that.

 

[jmkbama]

I was not trying to belittle anyone but I may have come off sounding mean, I just get tired of people buying snakes/lizards and thinking they don't need vet attention, they assume that the bill will be to much or whatever the reason. But most people won't think twice before taking their dog or cat in to seek medical help. ( I don't mean all reptile/pet owners) there is people that out there that neglect all animals.

Also I don't think in my post anywhere did I call anyone stupid, I would never do that.

I agree with you on all of your points, we are on the same side of this one. I didn't mean to suggest you called anyone stupid per say, just that basically, you knew the risks, did it anyway, should get an animal easier to care for, ect... would make someone feel stupid. I guess I was just trying to say that I am learning a lot from all of you on this site and I would hate to see someone turn away from good advice because they might feel like people are jumping on them, instead of offering them advice.

As for what the person said about the cost of the vet, that is pretty much neglectful in itself in my opinion and I couldn't agree more. Again, I am new to all of this, just think maybe people could just try to give helpful advice and then go to the rants and rave site and get out their frustration.

Again, not trying to offend anyone, just want to see people get the advice they are seeking and not to get scared off, if that makes sense...

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

OK back to the point, trying to help you........

Give her a few drops of Mineral Oila f ew times a day, give her warm soaks a few times a day (like 3 of each, mineral oil then warm soak for 15-30 minutes)

Then try Marcia's slurry to get something in her (http://usageckos.com/info_tipstricks.html#slurry), she may need a fecal, I don't think 3 weeks of not eating would cause her tail to be skinny, never has happened to any of mienthat went off food for a few weeks for breeding or whatever.

You may be able to get a fecal without an exam and you may not, you may also have a vet school near byt hat would do it or try a local tech school biology dept if you can't afford the vet there are ways to get these things done for less.

 

[LeopardLunatic]

okay update way late. havent been on in a while but ive been busy. Ok she unimpacted if she was, i say this because when she finally went to the bathroom it wasnt sandy i now believe it was caused by stress because she was in with a 7 1/2 inch 4 month old baby that is very aggresive and was beating up the adults in with her. Any way shes fine and fat and eating has been since 3-20-07 and now they are all on shelf liner. Thanks all
D

 

[curiousKathy]

okay update way late. havent been on in a while but ive been busy. Ok she unimpacted if she was, i say this because when she finally went to the bathroom it wasnt sandy i now believe it was caused by stress because she was in with a 7 1/2 inch 4 month old baby that is very aggresive and was beating up the adults in with her. Any way shes fine and fat and eating has been since 3-20-07 and now they are all on shelf liner. Thanks all
D

Are they all separated now?

Kathy

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Well I tried to stay away from this topic, but not that the whole sand issue is gone... Is shelf-liner safe? I just mean that because I have heard that things like those stick-on tiles can produce harmful fumes when heated and that is the reason slate or ceramic is recommended. If it is, then disregard this. Just wondering.

 

[LeopardLunatic]

I would imagine that if its washed thoroughly it should be safe. For the most part but everyone is fine now (i have 4 leos with 3 cages i hope to be getting a new cage soon.)

 

[curiousKathy]

Well I tried to stay away from this topic, but not that the whole sand issue is gone... Is shelf-liner safe? I just mean that because I have heard that things like those stick-on tiles can produce harmful fumes when heated and that is the reason slate or ceramic is recommended. If it is, then disregard this. Just wondering.

The non-adhesive kind of shelf liner is supposed to be okay...there is nothing sticky on the non-adhesive shelf liners, so there are not supposed to be any fumes. I would like to look at the manufacturer's website or get more info on how they are made...not sure if it was meant to be heated. It would be interesting to see what it was made of and whether any fumes could result.

JMHO,

curiousKathy