Not pooping, protein pocket, not shedding - please help!

[LD404]

I'm pretty sure these items have all been address, but I'm a bit panicky since they're all happening at once.

My little one is only 6 months old, a sweet male super snow. He's only getting barely used to being handled.

So, he hasn't pooped in almost a week now. He's still eating 3-7 mealworms a day, but nothing's coming out! I've torn apart his tank several times this week looking for poop, even in places where he's never pooped before.

I tried to give him a warm soak, but he apparently hates water - I've never seen a leo jump so far vertically! He dislikes it so much that even though he usually lets me pick him up and hold him a little, there was no chance of giving him even the slightest belly rub. And he started squeaking at me in protest

I attempted to give him a little mineral oil last night, but he was far more interested in escaping. I think I smeared some on his lips but I'm not sure.

Today I noticed a little protein pocket behind his left foreleg - but only on the left! I'm worried that the imbalance indicates something else is wrong?

I found him in his humid hide at last today, and he looks a little ghostly, so I'm hoping he'll shed soon. He hasn't shed yet since I got him, only two weeks ago. He also hadn't used the humid hide ever before today.

So despite having kept leos for a few years already (two adults belonging to my ex) I'm so worried and confused now that it's my little one. Should I repeat the soak and oil tonight? What's with that protein pocket, or is it something else? Is he ever going to shed? Is it time for the vet?

So many thanks for any help, and sorry for being such a newbie!

 

[fl_orchidslave]

If you'll fill out this questionnaire, perhaps we can help you sort some things out http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=70912 .

 

[LD404]

Sorry! I was in such a tizzy that I forgot to include the list. I hope it helps...


About your leo:
- Sex - Male
- Age & Weight - 6 months, 35g
- How long have you owned your leo - 2 weeks
- Where was he/she obtained (ex. Pet store, breeder, wild caught, friend) - breeder

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo - 1-3 times a week
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now. - not acting any differently
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe. - not that I'm aware of.
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal) - none recently, last one he peed as well as pooped, but it all looked normal.
- When was the last time he/she went - about a week ago
C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on

He's not pooped in almost a week, has a fatty/protein pocket in his left armpit, hasn't shed (that might be ok though)

Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size - low 10 gallon
- Type (ex. glass tank) - glass w/ sliding doors
- Type of substrate - slate
- Hides, how many, what kind - 3 1/2 (semi open perch he chills in, mostly covered) all fake rock
B) Heating
- Heat source - UTH
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side) - 93-95 and 80-85
- Method of regulating heat source - thermostat
- What are you using to measure your temps - probe thermometer
- Do you have any lights (describe) - LED lighting strip (dimmable, colour changing)
C) Cage mates
- How many (males, females) - none
- Describe health, or previous problems - n/a

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet
- What you're feeding (how often, how much) - medium to large mealworms,5-7 per day (he usually doesn't eat all of them though)
- 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) - RepCal w/D3 2x week, RepCal w/o D3 1x week (but always in tank, and he licks it), Herptevite 2x week (and wormies gutload on it too.)
- What are you gut loading food with - wheat bran, ground oatmeal, carrots, celery, peppers, some commercial mix, ground eggshells

 

[reps4life]

I'm pretty sure these items have all been address, but I'm a bit panicky since they're all happening at once.

My little one is only 6 months old, a sweet male super snow. He's only getting barely used to being handled.

So, he hasn't pooped in almost a week now. He's still eating 3-7 mealworms a day, but nothing's coming out! I've torn apart his tank several times this week looking for poop, even in places where he's never pooped before.

I tried to give him a warm soak, but he apparently hates water - I've never seen a leo jump so far vertically! He dislikes it so much that even though he usually lets me pick him up and hold him a little, there was no chance of giving him even the slightest belly rub. And he started squeaking at me in protest

I attempted to give him a little mineral oil last night, but he was far more interested in escaping. I think I smeared some on his lips but I'm not sure.

Today I noticed a little protein pocket behind his left foreleg - but only on the left! I'm worried that the imbalance indicates something else is wrong?

I found him in his humid hide at last today, and he looks a little ghostly, so I'm hoping he'll shed soon. He hasn't shed yet since I got him, only two weeks ago. He also hadn't used the humid hide ever before today.

So despite having kept leos for a few years already (two adults belonging to my ex) I'm so worried and confused now that it's my little one. Should I repeat the soak and oil tonight? What's with that protein pocket, or is it something else? Is he ever going to shed? Is it time for the vet?

So many thanks for any help, and sorry for being such a newbie!

You've only had him 2 weeks so it might just be due to stress. Wait a few more days to see if he poops. I would not handle him at all. Give him time to adjust.
About the protein pockets there are a few threads already posted. Here is one.

http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=80395

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Thanks for filling that out. Your setup sounds good. Try not to panic. He's in a new home and needs some time to get used to all his new furnishings. Leave him be and let him get comfy. Don't move things around, he's still sniffing everything out. If there's any other light in the room, turn his tank light off except when you need it for maintenance, just in case it may be bothering him. Leave his food in a dish for him to eat at his leisure. All the interaction may be stressing him during his adjustment period. Hopefully he'll leave you a gift in the next couple days

 

[LD404]

OK, so no handling, and lights off except for maintenance (which is pretty much the only time they're on anyway, he gets a little daylight to establish photoperiod.)

I just worry because he's pooped before just fine! Only three times, but almost enough to establish that his toilet is right in the front of the tank lol.

I hope it's just stress. Thank you so much for all your advice

 

[LD404]

Update ~!

I woke up this morning to two little gifts, and a whole urate! I've never been so happy to see feces.

I had put a towel over part of his tank to block out light last night, and I think that helped.
I also sussed out a major problem - his tank had to be moved a week ago, and since then the cat has somehow been getting in his room and apparently been sitting in front of the tank or even on top (!) staring at him. Bad kitty :main_angry: The door has now been fixed so the cat can't get in, ever.

Thank you again everyone for all your help! I'm just so relieved and happy he's ok - just stressed, which I'm sorting asap. And he's found his humid hide too, so I can hope for a shed soon too

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Glad things are working out