PLEASE HELP! leopard gecko suffering from impaction?

[Lady Shoey]

I have a beautiful leopard gecko, nearly a year old who has a very swollen abdomen, hasn't eaten for days and is lethargic. I use sand as a substrate (have ordered carpet now) and have seen him lick it before but now he seems to have impaction. I've given him warm baths and stroked his tummy (I heard that helps) but nothing. Is there anything I can do? And if I do take him to a vet (which I'm scared of doing) what will they do?

 

[im faster]

I wouldn't bother with the carpet teeth and claws get stuck.. use tile if you want nice or just paper towels.

He should see a QUALIFIED HERP VET. asap!

be more afraid of him not going to get help rather than going to a vet

 

[SDCowboy]

I understand not wanting to pay vet bills, but why would you be afraid of a vet?

 

[Wowoklol]

I have a beautiful leopard gecko, nearly a year old who has a very swollen abdomen, hasn't eaten for days and is lethargic. I use sand as a substrate (have ordered carpet now) and have seen him lick it before but now he seems to have impaction. I've given him warm baths and stroked his tummy (I heard that helps) but nothing. Is there anything I can do? And if I do take him to a vet (which I'm scared of doing) what will they do?

Can you flip it over with a light at its back and see if its carrying eggs? Is it plump on both sides or just one? Why are you afraid of a vet?

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Lethargic from impaction = vet. And fast.

 

[Lady Shoey]

Thankyou all, I made an emergency appointment at the vet for today. I was scared of using one from hearing of others losing their gecko's there but this one is really good. They are going to give him liquid paraffin. I hope he gets better!

My baby's life & progress & info I picked up if anyone is researching this for themselves:
http://38d1.zapd.co/

 

[im faster]

be prepared to get bit if your gonna give good massages.. i had an impacted leo and he bit me almost everytime.. nothing bad though..

let us know how the liquid paraffin works

 

[PaladinGirl]

Like Dennis said, don't use reptile carpet. I used it at first with my gecko. Their little toes get snagged and they can't move around as quickly. I hope everything turns out okay. Let us know

 

[Lady Shoey]

Thankyou paladin girl & im fast! Went to the vet again today, because of the bank holiday they've let me take him home to do the paraffin myself as they won't be able to do it as much! 6 doses a day! I really hope he pulls through! Ta for the warning about biting, haven't had one yet, hope I'm applying enough pressure!

 

[Lady Shoey]

My baby deco died this morning. I'm devastated. He still looked so beautiful.

 

[im faster]

sorry to hear danielle.

 

[Rocknrepublic]

Sorry for your loss Danielle.

 

[PaladinGirl]

I'm sorry sweetie. That is so sad, I could cry thinking about that happening to one of my babies. Do you think you will get another gecko?

 

[Lady Shoey]

Thanks guys. Was even more upsetting realising how preventable it could have been if I'd have known what I know how. I contacted the IHS about perhaps printing warnings on sand, they were so helpful! Unfortunately though, because sand is not specifically advertised as being for geckos the companies aren't required to.
I would love to get another gecko, it's just felt too soon up till now. I might go for a different type, anyone owned a viper gecko?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I'm so sorry you lost your little gecko. It is a tragedy indeed.