Caring for Impacted Leo

[thecureis]

Hello all, I have found useful information on this forum before and figured now was a good time to post for additional information. I just took my Leo to the vet on Monday because he was not eating and his tail was thinning. He was on calci-sand for almost 5 years without issue, but now he is impacted. I quickly ditched the calci-sand and put him on repti-carpet. The Vet told me to give him 0.5ml of flavored mineral oil (mash up a cricket for flavor) 2-3 times per day to help him pass the substrate. I am also giving him 2 warm water soaks a day and massaging him from top to vent.

My question is, how long could it take to pass? is there a threshold where I should take him back for an enema or possible surgery?

Sex: Male
He's 5 years old and i've had him for most of that. I picked him up from a +++++ almost 5 years ago. His new enclosure is between 83 and 98 degrees (cold/hot side) heated by over the tank lamps and he has multiple hides and repi-carpet. I usually feed him 5-6 large crickets 3 times per week. I will give him super worms 1-2 times per month.

Anyone have a leo that passed the impaction? Please help me out here.

Thanks

 

[TheGeckoSanctuary]

First, how did the vet discover it was impaction? X-ray or just a physical examination?

If it is impaction, I would continue with your vet's instructions but if nothing passes in another few days would ask if he can prescribe a stool softener (will see if I can find the bottle my vet provided to me when one of my rescues came through with an impaction) before resorting to surgery or something more drastic.

I would also suggest adjusting your temperatures as they are a little high and could be causing your gecko to not digest properly. The warm side should be around 89-91* with the cool side in the mid-to-high 70's. Leopard geckos also benefit more from belly heat versus overhead lighting so would switch to an under-the-tank heater instead of bulbs.

Once he passes the impaction would try feeding him something a little easier to digest than crickets and supers for a little while such as silk worms, dubia roaches (as long as you don't live in Florida), butter worms, or horn worms.

Keep us posted but hoping he passes the impacted content soon!

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I would agree that 83-98 is far too hot for a leo. They do better in the range of 70-90. With a low temperature of 83 they cannot get cooler than they need. The overtank heat also may dry out his enclosure and not provide the belly heat he needs. I recommned only using an UTH under about 1/3 of your tank unless your home is under 65 degrees most of the time. If it is I might use a very low 15-25W black light so he's not caused any extra stress by bright lights.

If your vet is experienced in treating reptiles and is sure of what he is seeing I would take his advice. Like the last poster said, soaking and mineral oil should help anything that is passable pass in a few days. If they do not I would wonder if he is indeed impacted or if the vet could provide some additional advice or medication to help.

Good luck!! Keep us posted on how he does!

 

[thecureis]

I did have an xray done to prove my suspicion.

Unfortunately, he passed last night

 

[Dinosaur!]

oh my goodness. i am so so sorry for your loss

but now hes in gecko heaven getting super fat and eating all the waxworms he can. at least you gave him a fighting chance by taking him to the vet, where as a lot of people probably wouldve just let him stay home and suffer instead of taking "just" a 20 dollar (or so) gecko to the vet. I can tell that you cared for your gecko, and im sorry once again

 

[sausage]

im so sorry for your loss