Not been pooping

[clink51]

Ive had my gecko now 2 weeks and the 1st week he was eating crickets every other day and now he munches on them daily. I have seen poop Twice in those 2 weeks. Is that normal? i have him on sand and if thats whats stopping it, how can i get him to start pooping again?

 

[Tony C]

Look at his belly, do you see a dark mass? If so that may be an impaction. What kind of sand is it? What is the temperature range in the tank? Does he appear healthy and active?

 

[clink51]

i dont see any dark mass but i do see like a dark line going down his belly, The sand is Reptlite (which im taking him off as soon as i can get the reptile carpet), and the temp right now is at 95 on his hot side and 81 on his cold...i dont know about healthy or active. sinc ei got him hes been in his hides all the time and only comes out for food

 

[Tony C]

I would get him off that sand right away, reptilite is a calcium sand, which sounds good, but is actually the dangerous type that is prone to causing impaction. If you want to use sand, you are better off with a natural sand, play sand from home depot/lowes is perfect, and dirt cheap. For now, dump the reptilite and use a layer of paper towel for substrate. Try warm water baths to stimulate defecation. You want the water to be 90-95 degrees, if it feels hot to your hand it is too hot. Try that tonight, and several times tomorrow, hopefully he will defecate in the water. If he still hasn't after a few baths, post again and we'll try the next step.

 

[clink51]

so an update for you tony...i been batheing him like u told me to do and 4 baths in he still wont poop. He shed earlier today and ate his skin, has been moving around quite regularly and is eating his 4-5 crickets like normal....any idea on wat to do next?

 

[Tony C]

Don't feed him anymore, if he is impacted adding more material to the pile will only make things worse. Keep up the warm water baths, and try to feed him a few drops of olive or mineral oil. Usually if you drop it on the tip of their nose (not in the nostrils of course), they will lick it up. If he still doesn't pass anything within the next day or yo will probably need to see a reptile vet.

 

[clink51]

TONY SUCCESS!!!!
So last night after posting on here i went to bed and woke up to wat is probably one of the biggest poops ive ever seen from something so small. He's also completly shedded and regained his yellowish tint. I would like to thank you for all the help, patience and step by step assistance! thank you

 

[Tony C]

Good news, glad to hear it. I would hold off on feeding him for another day or two to let his system settle down and to pass the shed, after that he should be back to normal.