sick leopard

[AlaskanGeckos]

I bought some leopard geckos from my local pet store a few months ago. I recently noticed one of the smaller ones lost a lot of weight. I've noticed she has a large dark blueish color on her underside. Once I saw her yawning or what i thought was yawning, few yawns later a cricket (dead) but not very digested came out of her mouth. I have them on Cocunut Fiber substrate.

Please, suggestions?

 

[Mel&Keith]

Definitely put them on paper towels, paper, or tile immediately. Any substrate that cannot be digested is better than something lose that can cause impaction. You should call and get a vet appointment as soon as possible and in the mean time soak her in a shallow tub of warm water every few hours. If she's not pooping and throwing up what she eats, there's a very good chance that she's already impacted which can lead to death if not responded to quickly. If she is pooping normally, then maybe she ate too many crickets or a cricket that was too big. Weight loss is never a good sign so a vet check would be a really good idea. Good luck!

 

[AlaskanGeckos]

so impaction? ok, thanks for your help. I'll see if I can save her.

 

[Mel&Keith]

It could be, I'm not a vet so I can't give you a diagnosis but it's definitely a possibility considering the symptoms and substrate you're using.

 

[AlaskanGeckos]

I was under the impression that coconut fiber was ok. Probably cause she's still pretty small. Anyway, I'll switch it out with paper towels.

 

[AlaskanGeckos]

She ate another cricket and thew it up again. Should I continue to feed and maybe help push the impaction out, or will it just keep backing her up?

 

[Mel&Keith]

Coco fiber is great for humid hides and laying boxes but the best substrates are un-edible like paper towels or tile. Regurgitation is stressful so I would say not to offer any more crickets right now. Do some warm water soaks and make a vet appointment tomorrow.

 

[fallen_angel]

I've always heard something about a "dark blue spot" visible when it comes to impaction, so that's most definitely your problem. The warm water soaks may help the gecko pass the impaction on its own, but that's just going to help you in the meantime before you can get a vet check. Just put her in a deli cup with water just up to the bottom of her belly and let her soak for 5-10 minutes about 3-4 times per day. Be sure that the water doesn't feel warm (your body is 98.6 degrees, and so the water sould feel slightly cool). If you can keep the deli cup heated while the gecko's in there, that's a plus. Best wishes to you and your leo!!!!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

The dark place on her abdomen could be her liver... which can become swollen when geckos are off-food for a long time. Is she pooping? What does it look like?

If she is eating on her own and regurgitating, it could be as simple as her warm side temepratures not being adequate (needs to be around 90 degrees on the belly surface), or as complicated as impaction or parasitic infection.

I'd get her to a vet for a fecal test if your temps are good.