Call me paranoid but...

[carcinocell]

Last night around 10:20 or so I fed my leopard gecko about 8 small mealworms. He has peed since then, but he has not pooped yet. I am a little worried, as he seems to usually poop after eating within an 8 to 12 hour period. It is currently 11:24am, so it has been a little over 13 hours. I am mostly concerned because until now he has gone poop along with the pee so this is irregular. I just wanted to know if this is something to worry about, or if I should wait until it's been longer to worry about it. I lost a lizard to impaction when I was little, so I'm more worried about it now. I don't want to lose my leopard gecko.

 

[Kylerbassman]

Honestly it could be nothing to worry about, but depending on age and husbandry it could be an issue. I would recommend filling out the health questionnaire to see what things could be contributing. Don't freak out yet as my female and male have done this same thing before. Fill out questionnaire and keep as close an eye as you can on your Leo to see if there are any changes and behavioral differences.

 

[cassicat4]

How old is your gecko?

I agree with the questionnaire...but honestly, at this point, I wouldn't be concerned yet. While geckos are usually fairly consistent in their bathroom habits, they will switch it up now and then for whatever reason.

If your temps are good, and nothing has changed with your Leo's environment or behaviors, I would just give him time, and I bet you'll find something tonight.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I would wait another day or so before worrying too much. Temperature plays a huge role in a reptiles metabolism and if he, for example, spent more time at the cool end of his cage than at the warm end last night he may not have digested his food yet. Also - geckos don't "pee" the same way humans do. They secrete their urates as a solid - the white part of their feces - usually at the same time as the rest.

 

[carcinocell]

Yes, I do know their pee is solid, but I did not know the term for it. I have learned something today.

But, that was why I was concerned about his poop. The white part was there but the poop wasn't, and up until now the urates and the poop were being passed at the same time.

About temperature though, I believe that may have been why. This morning when I got up, I found the temperature on the hot side had fallen to 88 degrees, as I have been having slight problems keeping the temperature up at night after the house's heater has been turned off. The temperature was quickly corrected though, and my gecko also seemed alert when I checked on him. I'm hoping that he'll go soon now that the temperature has been restored.

 

[Kylerbassman]

If you have some fluctuation like 3-5 degrees, that's normal. It's obviously best to try and stay consistent with your room temp so that doesn't happen, but as long as you are addressing it as you did, it probably had no bad effects. It could be getting ready to shed soon even.

 

[carcinocell]

It is possible that he's going to shed. I've had him for a week now and he hasn't shed yet, and I don't know how long it's been since he shed last. I bought him at Pet,co so I doubt they would know either.

 

[B&B Geckos]

No, +++++ won't know. I once had a new, adult gecko go about 5 or 6 days without pooping in spite of feeding her 3 or 4 large meals. I assume it hadn't been fed in a while before I got her and probably absorbed most of the nutrients. It might be the same for your gecko. Although, it being younger should have a faster metabolism. It's too soon to be concerned. As long as it's eating and not lethargic most likely it is fine. Make sure to provide it with vitamins and calcium; I rarely see them do so at most pet stores.

 

[carcinocell]

Good news, he pooped. I don't know when exactly as I wasn't present at the time, but all that matters is he went. So it looks like I was all concerned for nothing, oops. I'm just quick to worry about things, especially when I'm still scared of doing something wrong or something going wrong despite all my research.

Also, my gecko's mealworms are all dusted with repashy and there's a cap of calcium (without d3) next to his food dish. I think it was just a drop in temperature or a simple change in routine that delayed him going potty. I'm just glad it turned out to be nothing. :3