Help with cause of death

[OSG101]

A friend died on Thursday, her name was Dime, I wanted to find out more of what caused her death.

On Thursday morning I went to their home to do the normal cleaning and watering and I noticed 'Dime' was out walking around so I picked her up and quickly noticed she was pooping and put her back in the cage. I then noticed the biggest piece of poop I have ever seen from my Leo's (not to be sick or anything I'm only trying to explain everything but it was atleast 3x times normal size). I then noticed blood on the top of Dimes' cave. I was concerned and started searching the web and found this site but had to wait until now to post because of the validation but anyway..
Through out the day Dime walked around the cage (very unusual for them since they are usually asleep) and I noticed what looked like eggs coming out of her. So at this point I feel its going to be ok and become excited with the thought of babies. Later on she died and when I picked her up I realized the 'eggs' where her insides.
Any help with what caused this kind of death would be appreciated.

 

[paulnj]

Sounds like a large parasite load was the cause, but nutritional imbalance is another cause for reptiles to get cloacal prolapses. Honestly, a necropsy is the only way you will find the true cause because a myriad of issues can lead to that.

 

[DAWNoftheLEO]

Sucks, ouch..

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I'm so sorry you lost your gecko friend! What kind of substrate was Dime kept on? The gecko was either seriously constipated, had a heavy parasite load, or was impacted (or all three). It sounds like Dime strained so hard to pass the stool that she prolapsed her cloaca and possibly her intestines.

 

[OSG101]

I am currently using crushed walnut shells which is what the pet store owner recommended when I purchased my 1st Leo from them. From reading on this forum I have noticed that crushed walnuts are not a good idea, however I have never noticed either Dime or my other 'Sticky' eating the substrate and keep a lid of nutrional supplements in the cage. They are also well fed with a steady diet of crickets and meal worms. I breed my own crickets and feed them oranges and the same nutrional supplement.

 

[blizzard]

i'd use a different substrate personally. just to be sure. sorry for the loss.

 

[Gecko Ranch]

If I had a penny for every time a pet store gave bad advice I'd be enjoying my new condo in Hawaii! :main_rolleyes: Sorry for your loss of Dime. Please do eliminate that substrate ASAP.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I am currently using crushed walnut shells which is what the pet store owner recommended when I purchased my 1st Leo from them.

Crushed walnut shells are not a good choice for leopard geckos... they are sharp and jagged, and can literally tear up the gecko's intestines. I don't recommend ANY particulate substrate! Please get your geckos off of any substrate than can be ingested.

 

[Ccrashca069]

I don't recemend that crushed walnut shell for any reptile. I am sorry for your loss. I lost 2 leopards in January so I know how it feels.

 

[dprince]

I am so sorry for your loss. I can only agree with everyone else here, and try paper towels for a substrate. Not too pricey, easy to change, and no impaction issues.