sand impaction

[geckofreak570]

could somebody post a pic of sand impaction my sisters friend has a leo and she has him on sand and she wont change it to paper towel etc.!! she does not belive me that it will cause impaction!

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Here ya go: http://homepage.mac.com/exoticdvm/reptile/PhotoAlbum181.html . Careful... very graphic.

 

[geckofreak570]

thank you

 

[robin]

we could go round and round on the whole sand issue. i think play sand is fine but i do not think calcisand or the equivalent is safe. with calisand you are more prone to impaction

 

[super.taboo]

I'm currently using a sand that I bought from Petsmart (none of that calcisand), it's a very fine grain compared to play sand and so far it's working just fine.

Is the impaction caused by play sand in that link?

 

[geckofreak570]

it looks like it i would not trust sand at all! My last gecko died from impaction!!

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I'm currently using a sand that I bought from Petsmart (none of that calcisand), it's a very fine grain compared to play sand and so far it's working just fine.

Is the impaction caused by play sand in that link?

It doesn't say, and that is why many of us here believe it isn't even close to worth risking it.

 

[ReptileMan27]

I'm currently using a sand that I bought from Petsmart (none of that calcisand), it's a very fine grain compared to play sand and so far it's working just fine.

Is the impaction caused by play sand in that link?

While play sand isnt as dangerous as calcium sand, its still dangerous and has killed before and will again.

here is another pic of a poor leo that died from sand impaction:main_no:
http://www.avimedia.co.uk/other/necropsy1.jpg

The facts are sand is not natural or safe for leos, yes their have been people that have kept leos on play sand for years without problems, but their also have been many leos killed by it, so my opinion, is why risk it?. But in the end people are going to do what they want.

 

[robin]

While play sand isnt as dangerous as calcium sand, its still dangerous and has killed before and will again.

here is another pic of a poor leo that died from sand impaction:main_no:
http://www.avimedia.co.uk/other/necropsy1.jpg

The facts are sand is not natural or safe for leos, yes their have been people that have kept leos on play sand for years without problems, but their also have been many leos killed by it, so my opinion, is why risk it?. But in the end people are going to do what they want.

if you read the captions the first was impacted with
"fine grade bark"

and the second photo is of a leo which was impacted with "'digestible sand' sold as reptile bedding." aka calci sand etc. not play sand. they are made out of completely different materials.

also if you do not think sand is natural, i suggest you do some research on where leopard geckos naturally occur and the type of terrain they live on.

 

[robin]

I'm currently using a sand that I bought from Petsmart (none of that calcisand), it's a very fine grain compared to play sand and so far it's working just fine.

Is the impaction caused by play sand in that link?

no, it was not play sand but rather "digestable sand" bought at a pet store. aka calci- sand etc.

 

[ReptileMan27]

if you read the captions the first was impacted with
"fine grade bark"

and the second photo is of a leo which was impacted with "'digestible sand' sold as reptile bedding." aka calci sand etc. not play sand. they are made out of completely different materials.

also if you do not think sand is natural, i suggest you do some research on where leopard geckos naturally occur and the type of terrain they live on.

Yes, I said sand, not playsand. I have looked many times into their natural habitat, people that use sand always say its natural but slate or hard packed clay are the most natural for leos:main_thumbsup:. But whatever, defently not getting into another argument with someone over sand:main_thumbsdown:

 

[robin]

they live in areas with rock outcroppings and sand and dirt mixture. in some places they live where this is actually quite allot since the many subspecies of these animals has a very large range in many different countries. starting in turkey going east to india and south all the way to iran and iraq and possibly farther.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Robin, he never said that picture was the result of play sand. Those were two separate points he made. And also I, as long as others, have done the research you suggested we do and that is the exact reason why we do not like sand. They are not in sandy areas. They live in rocky hills and mountains made of stone and hard packed clay. I will try to find the source, but I have seen a source saying leos move away from heavy sanded areas.

 

[robin]

i used to have a liink to a website of actual areas and locations in which leos had been spotted, captured and studied. i lost it but i am sure i can find it if given some time.

 

[LeopardLunatic]

Calc sand isnt the only "digestible" sand on the market and thats all im gonna say.

 

[robin]

oh trust me i know :yes: i just cant think of the other names at the moment

 

[Gregg M]

My views have changed very slightly on the sand issue... I have seen impactions in captive leos and seen a wet collection with stomach contents of wild leos with sand/soil in it... Not sure if the sand in the digestive system was the cause of death or not for sure...

Anyway, after hearing what EXPERIENCED keepers had to say, I feel that sand with the proper grain size and texture mixed with potting soil is fine for leos as long as their captive requirements are met in every aspect... As far as straight up sand goes, I do not feel it is a good idea...

I do not feel this or any loose substrate should be an option for hatchling and juviniles or for new keepers...

As for myself, I choose to not take the chance and I keep them on PTs...

 

[NaughtyDawg]

I have some I have kept on sand for years and never had a problem, and others that aren't on sand.

I have a 10 year old Beardie that has been on nothing but sand and never had a problem.

I agree with Robin, I find it hard to believe that throughout their natural habitat that they never encounter sand. There seems to be an abundance of it in the middle east.

What is the natural habitat for a 40th generation Captive Bred gecko?

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Here is what I could quickly find:

www.lizards.com : "In their natural habitat, leopard geckos live in arid regions, particularly rocky deserts or sparse grasslands. They avoid sandy deserts"

http://ga.essortment.com/leopardlizard_ryqe.htm : "Sand is no longer a healthy substrate for captive Leos. Various researchers have found that wild Leopard geckos feed primarily on rocks and weed patches where sand ingestion is minimal. That is not the case with home enclosures. crickets that are released within the enclosure become consumed while resting on the sand. Small amounts of sand get digested and some of it passes through the body without a problem. Unfortunantly though, some doesnt and becomes logged in the intestinal tract and becomes crystalized. Over a period of months or years, this sand accumulates and causes impaction. In most cases, it is too far progressed for the owner to stop it and the Leo dies."

http://www.herphabitats.com/reptile_information/leopard_gecko_caresheet.htm : "Substrate

It is a common occurrence that when searching the internet for information on leopard geckos, this issue is always controversial. There is still a huge amount of leopard gecko owners that suggest the use of sand and other granular substrates as a "safe" substrate material. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Granular substrates have been known to cause impactions in leopard geckos. There are two types of impaction that could occur. The first is called an Acute Impaction. An acute impaction is when the Leo swallows a large amount of substrate and it blocks the vital organs used to process food. (Stomach, intestinal tract, etc.) The results of this type of impaction will lead to lethargy, lack of appetite, lack of bowel movements, sand in the stool, etc.

The other type of impaction, and often the most deadly form, is the chronic impaction. A chronic impaction is the slow accumulation of sand that binds to the lining of the intestinal tract. Over time, and often years, it will create a blockage. This blockage will also have the same detrimental effects as an acute impaction. The biggest problem with this type of impaction is that when it is discovered, it is most often too late to cure.

To prevent the possibility of this happening to your leopard gecko, avoid all granular substrates. None of them is as digestible as they claim and each poses the CHANCE that your gecko could become a victim of an impaction.

Substrates that are safe would include unprinted newspaper, paper towels, and repti carpet with all the frayed edges melted, linoleum, cloth, etc. "

www.drgecko.com : "They inhabit the rocky desert and savanna regions which generally tend to be arid in nature. The natural substrate is hardened clay with light sand coverings."

Just what I found real quick. I wish I could find the one I saw before that went more in depth about their change in actions when in sandy areas. It basically stated how when they are in an area where sand starts to accumulate more, they venture out to find a less sandy area.

 

[ReptileMan27]

Here is what I could quickly find:

www.lizards.com : "In their natural habitat, leopard geckos live in arid regions, particularly rocky deserts or sparse grasslands. They avoid sandy deserts"

http://ga.essortment.com/leopardlizard_ryqe.htm : "Sand is no longer a healthy substrate for captive Leos. Various researchers have found that wild Leopard geckos feed primarily on rocks and weed patches where sand ingestion is minimal. That is not the case with home enclosures. crickets that are released within the enclosure become consumed while resting on the sand. Small amounts of sand get digested and some of it passes through the body without a problem. Unfortunantly though, some doesnt and becomes logged in the intestinal tract and becomes crystalized. Over a period of months or years, this sand accumulates and causes impaction. In most cases, it is too far progressed for the owner to stop it and the Leo dies."

http://www.herphabitats.com/reptile_information/leopard_gecko_caresheet.htm : "Substrate

It is a common occurrence that when searching the internet for information on leopard geckos, this issue is always controversial. There is still a huge amount of leopard gecko owners that suggest the use of sand and other granular substrates as a "safe" substrate material. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Granular substrates have been known to cause impactions in leopard geckos. There are two types of impaction that could occur. The first is called an Acute Impaction. An acute impaction is when the Leo swallows a large amount of substrate and it blocks the vital organs used to process food. (Stomach, intestinal tract, etc.) The results of this type of impaction will lead to lethargy, lack of appetite, lack of bowel movements, sand in the stool, etc.

The other type of impaction, and often the most deadly form, is the chronic impaction. A chronic impaction is the slow accumulation of sand that binds to the lining of the intestinal tract. Over time, and often years, it will create a blockage. This blockage will also have the same detrimental effects as an acute impaction. The biggest problem with this type of impaction is that when it is discovered, it is most often too late to cure.

To prevent the possibility of this happening to your leopard gecko, avoid all granular substrates. None of them is as digestible as they claim and each poses the CHANCE that your gecko could become a victim of an impaction.

Substrates that are safe would include unprinted newspaper, paper towels, and repti carpet with all the frayed edges melted, linoleum, cloth, etc. "

www.drgecko.com : "They inhabit the rocky desert and savanna regions which generally tend to be arid in nature. The natural substrate is hardened clay with light sand coverings."

Just what I found real quick. I wish I could find the one I saw before that went more in depth about their change in actions when in sandy areas. It basically stated how when they are in an area where sand starts to accumulate more, they venture out to find a less sandy area.

Great research, just because leos in the wild MAY come in contact with sand, doesent make it safe or natural. Captive and wild are 2 different things, animals generally live longer in captivity, why?, simple certain dangerous things that they would have to deal with in the wild, they dont have to deal with in captivity. If you feel sand is so natural and fine, then why not add some more natural things to your leo cage, like some predators, a snake maybe?, its natural, it should be fine:main_laugh:. All the leos we have, never even seen the wild and never will.