Does my male leo have some sort of infection?

[SidAndCira]

It's hard to see, but his vent is a bright redish-pink, and the slit is lined with white. It doesn't smell infected, but can someone tell me what it may be? Is this normal? I always, ALWAYS see him licking himself down there. If it's infected (or something) what causes it and how can I prevent it?

http://i52.tinypic.com/qsnzaf.jpg

 

[5HiddenLizards]

I'm not an expert, but it definitely looks irritated, not sure if infected, although it probably could be...My male does lick himself, not as often as before, but he never looked like that.

Has he been pooping normal? What kind of substrate is he on?
Hopefully someone more experienced will see this & help you out.

 

[SidAndCira]

I'm not an expert, but it definitely looks irritated, not sure if infected, although it probably could be...My male does lick himself, not as often as before, but he never looked like that.

Has he been pooping normal? What kind of substrate is he on?
Hopefully someone more experienced will see this & help you out.

Yes, he poops just fine. It's brown poop... so that's why I am unsure if it's infected. He is in sand but I am switching to a reptile carpet tomorrow for the sake of his health. Hes never eaten or ingested sand but this makes me think maybe some sand got in there and irritated it?

 

[5HiddenLizards]

The sand might have irritated that area, but if he's been on it forever, i don't think it would get like that. My male has been on sand since I've had him & I never saw any irritation from it. Maybe you could try soaking him in some warm water for a little bit? Since you are switching to carpet, you might be able to see if it was the sand that was irritating it. Maybe put an antibiotic on after the soak?

 

[roger]

looks infected to me

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Poor boy needs a vet before it gets worse. Sand causes problems that can be avoided by not using it!

 

[SidAndCira]

Poor boy needs a vet before it gets worse. Sand causes problems that can be avoided by not using it!

IS there anything I can use to get him to the vet? There is only one vet here that sees exotics and he's an hour drive away. My dad has cancer and can't drive all over like he used to... so I'm unsure on when I'd be able to get Sid to the vet. How much is a check-up for a reptile?

 

[Dog Shrink]

You can call your herp vet for an estimate and possibly get a friend to drive you maybe???

 

[prettyinpink]

Call the vet and ask them how much they charge (they'll tell you), they'll let you know Just put him in a nice container with poked holes and maybe a little towel ontop to cover him so the sun doesn't bug him, I also took with mine a packet of handwarmers and stuck one on my lap...then put her ontop of that. Make sure it doesn't get too hot though.
Also, just so you know ahead of time...some poop on the way there from the bumpyness.

You can get them to quote you BEFORE they do anything when you go. Just make sure you tell them.

Also...when you watch them poo. They will drag their butts to wipe it off. So if you picture him on sand, little sand particles probably got in there (if that's what the deal is).
I'd actually suggest slate, paper towel, ect. Some people have had problems with reptile carpet, I used to use it myself and switched

Hope this helped

 

[Dog Shrink]

Hey guys do you think that in the meanwhile until he can contact a vet that maybe he could flush the vent area with some plain saline solution just in case there might be some sand lodged up in there? I don't know that his leo would appreciate the violation so much but it might maybe help a little?

 

[WulfSC]

Ah, poor little fella. I hope he gets well soon. Please, keep us informed about how he's doing. Best of luck!

 

[prettyinpink]

I'm not sure if I would...Might burn, or irritate it worse. If you're going to do something you can soak him in WATER.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

There may be someone in your local herp society that can get your gecko to a vet, if you aren't affiliated with them, do a google search for your area. Honestly, he needs to be seen sooner rather than later. It looks from the photos that the infection is inside and you don't want to do anything to irritate it in any way. In the meantime, I would take him completely out of his tank and use a 15qt well ventilated plastic tub with moist paper towels and a hide. If you find that you cannot afford the vet and medication, please adopt him out or surrender to a rescue so he can be promptly treated, before it gets worse. Good luck with him

 

[SidAndCira]

Thanks guys, I will give him a warm bath and let him soak while I clean his cage and replace the sand with a repti-carpet, his appointment is tomorrow at 2:30 and I'll let you guys how he's doing/what was the problem then! I've been saving money for a video game for a long time now, but Sid's life can't wait, the game can. I called for an approximate and she said the appointment is 50.50 and the antibiotics (if it's what he needs) will be about 20. I have 125 bucks so, just enough! (hopefully)

 

[prettyinpink]

I'd recommend putting him on paper towels, not reptile carpet...people have had trouble in the past with it, I used to use it and switched to paper towels, now my guys are on tile though.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Reptile carpet will irritate an already irritated area.