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 #2092512


Jazzysplash
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 IMPACTION

My little gecko is suffering from what I am pretty sure is impaction :( I feel really dumb because I fell for the "Digestive Friendly" label on calc sand. Apparently that is the WORST substrate and I am an idiot. I have her eating a little bit of oil and taking warm baths. I just started, though. When should I expect to see results? How long should I wait before going to the vet? And how much is a vet visit going to cost? I have read that many vets do not want to do surgery, but isn’t there medicine that can be administered? Any suggestions for home remedies welcome.
11/06/09  12:18am

 #2092517


Squid
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   Message To: Jazzysplash   In reference to Message Id: 2092512


 IMPACTION

Hey there,
Sorry to hear. First off, you’re not an idiot, those companies are at fault for putting a product out there like that, and the pet stores for carrying them. You’re being a good mama or daddy for trying to fix the problem & learn from it.

Sounds like you’re doing good, warm soaks are good. A little oil can help but be careful, too much will be bad and can cause intestinal tearing. Take him off sand and put him on a solid substrate (newspaper, paper towel, reptile carpet etc) right away. Raise your temps to help with digestion.

Tell us whats going on with your gecko, maybe it isn’t impaction..
11/06/09  12:55am

 #2092562


Jazzysplash
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   Message To: Squid   In reference to Message Id: 2092517


 IMPACTION

Well, she has lost quite a bit a weight and her coloration has dulled. I noticed this last week and thought that maybe she was tired of the food selection. I tried to feed her a wax worm, too, but she hasn’t eaten it yet. I did some research about appetite loss and al the signs pointed to impaction. I inspected her belly and sure enough, there is a blueish bruise on it. I immediately took her and her friend out and thoroughly cleaned their tank and put down newspaper. They have a heating pad placed on the side of the tank and I use a red lamp because my apartment is drafty. The two geckos get along amazingly, always sleeping together. The healthy gecko is also very protective of my sick gecko. I am taking a trip to my mother’s this weekend and I don’t want to leave my gecko behind (its a two day trip), but I don’t want to stress her out more. I know that is bad with impaction. Should I leave her?
11/06/09  08:02am

 #2092915


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Jazzysplash   In reference to Message Id: 2092562


 IMPACTION

Well, a few things.

a) it does sound like impaction, and you’re taking care of it nicely.
b) raise your temps maybe 2 degrees. That should help her pass it
c) if they’re babies, don’t house them together unless you are completely sure of their sexes. If one turns out to be male, he can breed her too early and she can become eggbound. If they both turn out to be male they will begin fighting
d) sleeping(IE on top of each other)or "cuddling", as some people may call it, together is a sign of enforcing dominance
e) don’t take the geckos on the trip. Just put some mealies/crickets if their tank and make sure they have water, and they’ll be fine for 2 days. I’ve actually left mine alone for a week and half(I HAD to, no other choice), so they’ll be fine
11/07/09  06:48am

 #2093566


Jazzysplash
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 2092915


 IMPACTION

I didn’t get your post in time- I took the gecko on the trip. She did well, she had a bowel movement earlier today, so hopefully her health will continue to improve as I continue self treating her...
11/08/09  11:37pm

 #2093575


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Jazzysplash   In reference to Message Id: 2093566


 IMPACTION

Pooping is a great sign in impacted LGs. Was it covered in sand? Was the urate white?

Just keep doing what you’re doing until it starts to eat normally and has routine bowel movements.
11/09/09  12:48am

 #2093827


Jazzysplash
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 2093575


 IMPACTION

Yes the urate was white! More pooping today!! Still no appetite though. I do not want to force feed her, however, she really needs her nutrients!



11/09/09  07:51pm

 #2093834


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Jazzysplash   In reference to Message Id: 2093827


 IMPACTION

You could try organic chicken baby food. Just use an eyedropper to put a small amount on her nose at a time and she’ll lick it off. The urate being white is a great sign, as is pooping again.

Good job with her.
11/09/09  08:07pm

 #2094756


Lokliendil
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 2093834


 IMPACTION

I dont know if I should re start this post or start a new one. But I’m having the same problem, so I thought maybe you guys could help me out.

It’s definitely an impaction, she’s not eating, her eyes are a bit closed, and she has become lethargyc.. And of course I can see a little bruise on her belly.

I started the warm baths, a bit of veg oil and the massages.. I’m taking her to get an X ray in a few hours, just to be sure.

But something strange happened while I was giving her a massage, she kind of pee.. I know geckos dont pee. But she excreted a lot of water, I’m guessing it’s like a diarrhea, although it was only water.

Do you have any idea what could have been?

I’m totally freaking out, I don’t want my baby to die!

Ps: English is not my native language, so sorry if I mispelled or if it’s not well redactated
11/12/09  03:18pm

 #2094815


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Lokliendil   In reference to Message Id: 2094756


 IMPACTION

I private messaged you. Next time, start a new thread. Hijacking threads isn’t a very good idea.
11/12/09  06:29pm


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