I think my leopard gecko is impacted please help!?

Question

My gecko has stopped eating. I have only noticed one stool, it's a tiny thing at that and a small urate since i switched her to sand. i did everything i could, i waited until she was about 6 inches like every website said so it might be something else.
oh and if she is that big, could she still catch a cricket smaller than a cm? i think she might be having trouble with the food I am presenting to her.

Saucy · Accepted Answer

Sand is NEVER a safe substrate.  Period.  And you learned this the hard way... I'm sorry.  Obviously get her off the sand and onto some paper towel for now.  If she's not eating, there's really no way to know if she's impacted or not.  You need to feed her prey items that are adequately sized.  Your crickets should be the width of the space between her eyes.  

If she doesn't start pooping soon, get her into some warm water soaks up to her armpits and try to get her to lick up a few drops of mineral or vegetable oil.  If you still get nothing and she is eating, you need to get her to a vet for treatment.  Impaction will be fatal if left untreated.

Anonymous · Answer

Well, first off you really can't trust all the info on websites nowadays. Whatever the size of a leopard gecko they are at risk for impaction when kept on sand. I strngly suggest you take her to the vet for a checkup to make sure nothing is wrong anf god forbid they find something they could possible save him/or her. Reptile carpet,newspaper,ortile are very good alternatives and they are inexpensive. the plus to reptile crapet is thats its washable!:) as for the prey, a cm cricket for a 6 inch gecko is a bit too small. the prey should be no longer than the length of the geckos head but subadults(6 inches)geckos can feed on small adult size crickets. use ur best judgement when feeding the prey. if you dont think he or she can handle it dont feed it. i hope this helps and if you have any questions please contact me ill be glad to help!

Michael F · Answer

Sorry to hear about your leopard gecko. maybe you should take her to the vet. Sand is a decent substrate but there's always that risk of impaction. I keep my geckos on tiles. If your gecko is six inches or larger then larger crickets should be fed. Best of luck to you.

KimbeeJ · Answer

Warm water soaks may help.  Shallow warm water for 15 minutes twice a day.  The vet can give her fluids to help with hydration, as well as pass a stomach tube to lubricate.  Please don't every use sand with geckos (and other lizards)--it is NOT natural and poses such a great risk.  

http://www.herpvetconnection.com/

!.keenan.! · Answer

take it to the vet my gecko died of impaction never use sand i use tiles much safer and looks better

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I think my leopard gecko is impacted please help!?

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