is this a male?

[JCougar]

Hi folks,
new member here. I enjoy the site.
A quick question: I have a leopard gecko (given to me) who's vent seems to be different from other geckos that I have seen. I have attached a picture of the base of the tail, underside. It appears to be swollen. upon inspection, I also see 2 what look like "spurs" which extend out of the vent, one on each side.

Don't blast me for asking the obvious, but is this a male? Either that, or I'm guessing this gecko is impacted.
let me know what you think.

 

[BalloonzForU]

It's a male.

However what you discribed as spurs could be the tips of his hemipenis that have dried out from being prolapsed. It also could be a few other things.......

 

[JCougar]

Balloonz,
can you elaborate on this for me? What does prolapsed mean? He hasn't eaten for several days, which I am concerned about, but sometimes he does that and then eats fine a few days later.

 

[Khrysty]

Prolapse is where the hemipenis sticks out and cant get back in for one reason or another. It needs to be kept moist, and if it doesn't it can dry out. I'd suggest soaking him in some water that has sugar dissolved in it (keep mixing in sugar in hot water until no more will dissolve, then let it cool to lukewarm. This will help (if it was a prolapse) it to rehydrate and hopefully go back in. If that doesn't work, the little guy probably needs a vet. It's not good for his health to have his hemipenes sticking out like that.

It could also be stuck shet that got into his vent...a soak might help that too

 

[JCougar]

got it. thanks to both of you for the information!

 

[Olimpia]

Aww poor guy, that has to be uncomfortable.

 

[BalloonzForU]

Even if it's a prolapse and you've figured out how to fix the current issue, you need to determine why he prolapsed.......

Was he breeding too much? Or is he constipated? Does he have parisites? These are the three major reasons why a male has a hemi prolapse.