Sigh.... I don't know what to do anymore.

[LeopardShade]

I'm posting this in regards to one of my female Leopard Geckos (Super Snow) who hasn't defecated in a long time. It seems as if I'm doing everything I can but nothing is working... I'll explain (bare with me though, it could be long) after the questionnaire

About your leo:
- Sex - Female
- Age & Weight - 2 years old, weight unknown
- How long have you owned your leo - About a year and a half
- Where was he/she obtained - Breeder

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo - Roughly 2-3 times a week
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now. - No behavioral changes that would seem concerning to me
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe - She's always been an irregular defecator, even with temps/etc being correct (90-92). Sometimes she'll go every 2-4 days while other times it'll be a whole week or so before she's pooped.
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal) - If only she would go...
- When was the last time he/she went - Over 3 weeks ago...
C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on - She hasn't defecated in at least 3 weeks. Appears robust and eats fine, but no poop.

Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size - 20 gallon
- Type (ex. glass tank) - Glass
- Type of substrate - Paper towel
- Hides, how many, what kind - 3 (warm hide - one of those sturdy black ones, humid hide - tupperware, cool hide - t-rex head)
B) Heating
- Heat source - UTH
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side) - (90-92 F - cool side room temp)
- Method of regulating heat source - Rheostat
- What are you using to measure your temps - Digital thermometer
- Do you have any lights (describe) - I have a light with a red bulb that I use for viewing purposes or days where it's rather cold
C) Cage mates
- How many (males, females) - None
- Describe health, or previous problems - None

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet - Mealworms (regular size)
- What you're feeding (how often, how much) - I generally feed her 3 times a week, usually about 8-9 mealworms
- How are you feeding (hand fed, left in dish, ect) - Tong fed
B) Supplements (describe how often) - Cal w/ no D3 is left in tank at all times, dusting w/ D3 once a week, Repashy every other week
- What vitamin/minerals are you using (list brands) - RepCal Phosphorus free Calcium w/ No D3 in the tank, RepCal w/ D3, Repashy
- What are you gut loading food with - Carrots/lettuce/apple/etc

It first reached my concern that she hadn't gone in a while two weeks exactly from today. I have been soaking in warm water for about 20 minutes, spraying the sides of the container with water for her to lick, massaging her belly, and administering a drop of olive oil for the past 5 days now, and still nothing. I've used this remedy in the past when she's had trouble, and it always eventually worked after a couple days, but now it seems to not be doing anything.
The peculiar thing is that she still eats fine and has an appetite, and isn't showing any signs of lethargy, as I mentioned previously.

This sounds absolutely heinous and deplorable on my part, but I honestly cannot remember when she's last gone to the bathroom. I feel awful because I'm sure she feels absolutely horrible and plugged up.

I don't keep her on loose substrate, she's not getting gargantuan prey items, I'm pretty sure she's hydrated well, which rules out some common causes for impaction, but my biggest fear is this.

I'm afraid that I have given her too much calcium too soon (after this: http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=80988) and it has caused a blockage in her GI tract.

By now, I think it's pretty safe to say I need a vet, but my parents never seem to take this seriously. I wish that they would see that my gecko has a problem and it needs help. I wish that they would realize that this is a living breathing creature that feels just like we do. If I had the money, I'd take her in a heartbeat, but I don't. I hope posting this and showing them will change their minds...

Any help would be immensely appreciated.

 

[T-ReXx]

First of all thank you for taking the time to fill out the questionaire, it is a HUGE help.

Now for the bad news. Unfortunately at this point since your husbandry seems spot on and it has been 3 week since last defecation I really think your only option is a vet. The warm soaks and olive oil are about as far as it goes with home remedies for impaction. I sincerely hope your parents will realize as the adults in the situation they have a responsibility to take care of this. The only option I can think of is if you have a local herp society sign up and talk to the members, perhaps one of them as an adult can reason with your parents, or perhaps they may know a veterinarian willing to do something for you. Unfortunately oftentimes the parents of young herpers don't take their animals seriously(some don't even consider them "pets" which is ridiculous IMO) and it is a sad and frustrating thing to see. I sincerely wish you luck with the situation. If any members here are from your area perhaps one of them can help or at least point you in a useful direction.

 

[gecko4245]

I'm posting this in regards to one of my female Leopard Geckos (Super Snow) who hasn't defecated in a long time. It seems as if I'm doing everything I can but nothing is working... I'll explain (bare with me though, it could be long) after the questionnaire

About your leo:
- Sex - Female
- Age & Weight - 2 years old, weight unknown
- How long have you owned your leo - About a year and a half
- Where was he/she obtained - Breeder

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo - Roughly 2-3 times a week
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now. - No behavioral changes that would seem concerning to me
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe - She's always been an irregular defecator, even with temps/etc being correct (90-92). Sometimes she'll go every 2-4 days while other times it'll be a whole week or so before she's pooped.
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal) - If only she would go...
- When was the last time he/she went - Over 3 weeks ago...
C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on - She hasn't defecated in at least 3 weeks. Appears robust and eats fine, but no poop.

Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size - 20 gallon
- Type (ex. glass tank) - Glass
- Type of substrate - Paper towel
- Hides, how many, what kind - 3 (warm hide - one of those sturdy black ones, humid hide - tupperware, cool hide - t-rex head)
B) Heating
- Heat source - UTH
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side) - (90-92 F - cool side room temp)
- Method of regulating heat source - Rheostat
- What are you using to measure your temps - Digital thermometer
- Do you have any lights (describe) - I have a light with a red bulb that I use for viewing purposes or days where it's rather cold
C) Cage mates
- How many (males, females) - None
- Describe health, or previous problems - None

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet - Mealworms (regular size)
- What you're feeding (how often, how much) - I generally feed her 3 times a week, usually about 8-9 mealworms
- How are you feeding (hand fed, left in dish, ect) - Tong fed
B) Supplements (describe how often) - Cal w/ no D3 is left in tank at all times, dusting w/ D3 once a week, Repashy every other week
- What vitamin/minerals are you using (list brands) - RepCal Phosphorus free Calcium w/ No D3 in the tank, RepCal w/ D3, Repashy
- What are you gut loading food with - Carrots/lettuce/apple/etc

It first reached my concern that she hadn't gone in a while two weeks exactly from today. I have been soaking in warm water for about 20 minutes, spraying the sides of the container with water for her to lick, massaging her belly, and administering a drop of olive oil for the past 5 days now, and still nothing. I've used this remedy in the past when she's had trouble, and it always eventually worked after a couple days, but now it seems to not be doing anything.
The peculiar thing is that she still eats fine and has an appetite, and isn't showing any signs of lethargy, as I mentioned previously.

This sounds absolutely heinous and deplorable on my part, but I honestly cannot remember when she's last gone to the bathroom. I feel awful because I'm sure she feels absolutely horrible and plugged up.

I don't keep her on loose substrate, she's not getting gargantuan prey items, I'm pretty sure she's hydrated well, which rules out some common causes for impaction, but my biggest fear is this.

I'm afraid that I have given her too much calcium too soon (after this: http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=80988) and it has caused a blockage in her GI tract.

By now, I think it's pretty safe to say I need a vet, but my parents never seem to take this seriously. I wish that they would see that my gecko has a problem and it needs help. I wish that they would realize that this is a living breathing creature that feels just like we do. If I had the money, I'd take her in a heartbeat, but I don't. I hope posting this and showing them will change their minds...

Any help would be immensely appreciated.

I had that problem years ago when I fed mealworms and that is why I don't. maybe stop the mealworms and try something softer. Is her body warm enough? not only her tummy. Try 94-95 in temperature.
Is that all you feed the worms? no wheat bran?

 

[LeopardShade]

She pooped! Finally! It was huge! I feel so much better knowing that she got it out, there wasn't a permanent obstruction. I will still be soaking her just to facilitate any more feces left in her, but I'm tremendously relieved at this point.

Oh, and I do gutload with wheat bran as well, I completely forgot that in my questionnaire, my apologies.

 

[grboxa]

You really should start feeding more variety, not feeding a balance of feeders can lead to constipation, especially meal worms where they have very little nutrition and are harder to digest. She could be dehydrated, are you sure she is not? If so how do you know 100 percent. And like gecko said, you should raise the temps.:main_thumbsup:

 

[tiedxupxinxknots]

You really should start feeding more variety, not feeding a balance of feeders can lead to constipation, especially meal worms where they have very little nutrition and are harder to digest. She could be dehydrated, are you sure she is not? If so how do you know 100 percent. And like gecko said, you should raise the temps.:main_thumbsup:

Like grx said variety is better, introducing more of a variety will prevent constiption. 90-92 is perfect you don't need to raise the temps.

 

[4mb3r]

Mealworms have very little nutrition?? Then who is it many people feed just mealworms.?

Glad she got it through though!

 

[endrien]

Mealworms have very little nutrition?? Then who is it many people feed just mealworms.?

Glad she got it through though!

Convenience, price.

 

[Dog Shrink]

90-92 may be fine for some leos but some need it hotter. My boy does best at 96*. Eats well, sheds well oops well never an issue since I took him from 93 to 96. Absolutely raise temps imo. It can't hurt and your leo will thermoregulate if its too warm BUT you should provide a higher heat range and give your leo the choice. Also feeding food tha is appropriately sized for your leo. Mealies are too small for an adult leo imo and its too much shell to be ingesting for little nutriton. Id move up to super worms, and offer a varied diet rotating thru supers, waxes, and butterworms to provide nutritional balance. Also stress can lead to constipation so continuing soaking could only be stressing it more. Keep up the misting every couple days with spring water not tap water, also provide spring water in a dish available 24/7. The heavy metals and flouride in tap water can also constipate your leo. I don't trust those "herp safe" water conditioners, why use it when you can get a case of spring water for the same price. Mineral oil dabbed on the nose insted of olive oil could be more productive since mineral oil is an actual laxitive whereas all the olive oil could do is "grease the tracks" and make things easier to pass. Use the same way. Just. Dab on the nose for a couple days. Good luck

 

[LeopardShade]

Mineral oil dabbed on the nose insted of olive oil could be more productive since mineral oil is an actual laxitive whereas all the olive oil could do is "grease the tracks" and make things easier to pass.

I think I might keep a bit around with me just because she's always been an irregular defecator. Where might be some common places to find mineral oil? (kind of a stupid question, but I'm curious nonetheless...)

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Get it at walmart or any pharmacy. It's in the laxative area.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Feeding mealworms as a staple diet is just fine. They do have less protein and more fat than crickets, but they do not harbor parasites and bacteria like crickets do. Crickets WILL gut-load, as will roaches, but larvae do not 'load'. I agree that a varied diet is best.