Leo not pooping/stressed out

[addrianna818]

I recently moved my 5 year old leo into a new cage, and she hasn't pooped in a week. I have tried to give her a warm bath, but she panics and tries to scramble out every time I put her in the water so I haven't been able to give her a full 20 min bath or rub her belly. Should I just try and keep her in the water for 20 mins, even if she panics, or try another method?

I know she's likely not pooping just due to the stress of being in a new cage, as she's eating fine and still walking around. I want to avoid stressing her out even more by visiting a vet if possible (she never does well at the vet).

About your leo:
- Sex: Female
- Age & Weight: 5 1/2 Years, approx 70g
- How long have you owned your leo: 3 1/2 years
- Where was he/she obtained (ex. Pet store, breeder, wild caught, friend): Pet Store

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo: Three to four times a week, for varying amounts of time
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now.: Minor lethargy, but not enough to be worried.
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe.: Fatty liver two years ago from overeating.

B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal): No fecals coming out D:
- When was the last time he/she went: Week ago

C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on: See above

Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size: 15 gal
- Type (ex. glass tank): Glass tank
- Type of substrate: Repticarpet
- Hides, how many, what kind: 1 rock hideaway on cool side, one log hideaway on warm side, one Tupperware moist hide on cool side

B) Heating
- Heat source: Heat bulb, UTH
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side): Cool 75-85 Warm 85-92
- Method of regulating heat source: UTH, heat lamp, regular bulb, on timers
- What are you using to measure your temps: Digital thermometer
- Do you have any lights (describe): Regular 40 watt lightbulb on in daytime only

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet
- What you're feeding (how often, how much): Mealworms (8 three times a week), crickets (5-6 two-three times a week) (alternating between)
- How are you feeding (hand fed, left in dish, ect): Left in dish

B) Supplements (describe how often)
- What vitamin/minerals are you using (list brands): Calcium with D3, Multivitamin (dont remember brands)
- What are you gut loading food with: Carrots, lettuce, celery, potatoes, various other veggies

 

[indyana]

You'll want to double check the floor surface temperature with a temp gun or a digital temp probe stuck right to the floor to make certain it's around 90 F.

If that checks out, I would hold back on the food a bit until she poops. A week really isn't that serious, so no need to panic yet unless she starts looking extremely bloated or showing serious lethargy. The baths might be stressing her out a bit too, even though you're trying to help. Their digestive systems can work a bit slowly when they're stressed, so just keep an eye on her and see if she improves. If she's going to shed, she also might not poop (I've noticed my boy has that problem around shed time).

Please let us know how she's doing next week.

 

[addrianna818]

She pooped last night! A big one, too. I don't know if it was the baths or what, but she's fine now. She's drinking a lot and grumpy, but has more energy than before and is going to shed soon. Very relieved.

 

[Sunglow1740]

Im happy to hear the good news about your leo,

 

[indyana]

Yay! I'm sure she'll start to settle in and poop more regularly soon.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

If you're trying to give her a bath in water she likely won't every be okay with it. They're not really swimming animals. If you need to do it again, try putting a damp/wet paper towel in the bottom of a tupperware and sealing her in. There will be enough air in there for 20 minutes or so. She may not like that either but at least she can't drown or escape while you're not looking that way

Glad to hear she's feeling better!