URGENT: NEED SERIOUS HELP! Life or death situation.?

Question

My pet leopard gecko has been consuming the sand in her tank. We know how to feed her, we know that sand and other loose substrates are bad for her (thanks a lot, Petco), and we know that she needs calcium, etc...

I simply need to know what to do at this point. My gecko is starving because of the impaction in her digestive tract, and I have changed the sand in her tank to moss, and I'm hoping she'll eventually get better. Unfortunately, at this point, she is completely starved. She isn't eating at all and her hip bones are visible from all angles. She is so skinny and lethargic.

THERE ARE NO clinics in my area that deal with reptiles. I feel so alone in this! Have any gecko owners experienced this? What has helped heal your pet? Is there any kind of medicine that can be taken? All help is deeply appreciated! Thank you!!

Answer 1

First you will need to try and help her work the sand out of her system, give her regular warm baths, about 10-15 min baths each day. This will get her system working a little better. You will also need to give her water via syringe to help clear her system. A 10 ml oral syringe should do it. You may be able to get one from the vets, that's where i got mine. Give the gecko around 3-5ml of water, drip it onto the tip of her nose and let her l**k it up to prevent squirting it into her lungs.

Look out for any stools, if she's passing anything it's an excellent sign.

You can also buy some Hydrolife. This will keep her hydrated and is also an appetite stimulant as it contains electrolytes. Another product you can try with her is Avipro. This product can be used for geckos undergoing stress and suffering from anorexia, it'll provide her with nutrition and help perk her up a little. Try not to give her too much as her stomach will have shrunk with not eating.

When her system has cleared a little you could also try feeding her crushed wax worms via syringe to fatten her up and even feed her a meat based baby food. Meat based is best as it contains lots of protein and carbohydrates.

Make sure she gets plenty of rest and is in a quite room where she isn't going to be disturbed too much.

At this point, kitchen roll or reptile carpet would probably be the easiest thing for her to walk on, a nice even surface.

Good luck with your gecko, I hope she gets better!

Answer 2

what kind of sand is in his tank?? Don't they have veterinary hospitals in ure area?

Answer 3

what kind of sand do you have?

Answer 4

What city do you live in?  Even if you don't have a clinic, perhaps I can find you a licensed herpetologist in your area.

Or you can try caudata.org.  You might be able to get in contact with other people who know what to do.

I can't advise you, I can only give you resources I personally use.

Answer 5

I would raise the temp in the cage to about 90 degrees, if it's not there already. This can make the digestion work overtime. Make sure it stays hydrated with soaks or sprays and try to get him to drink if at all possible.

Answer 6

First Get the sand out and put paper towels in Seriously

You Gecko has a large chance of dying from impaction take you Gecko to a vet it doesn't matter if its 100 miles away the vet will either remove the sand or put the Gecko down but it really depends on how long he has been consuming it but the Gecko has a Chance of dying

You should never listen to big chain stores they train there employes to sell you the most expensive and danger stuff so when the pet dies you get a new one

Answer 7

I am so very sorry for your gecko. It is very rare that a small lizard will pass impaction by themselves, and for large impaction enough that she has starve herself, I don't think it is possible.

This just serves to remind people that you should never, ever take advice from a petstore. They know dipwad of what they're talking about and are just trying to make a sale.

I suggest you check  the listings for your state, nearby cities/towns and try to find a veterinary to help you. Check these listings to see if you can find one:

http://www.herpvetconnection.com/

http://www.sonic.net/melissk/404.html#Un... States

http://www.herpkingdom.com/vetindex.html

To try an aliviate her some while you locate a vet (which must be done ASAP), you could try giving her a warm bath in water that reaches her elbows. I wish you the best of luck in your search for treatment, and to your leo so she recovers nicely.

Answer 8

id try giving it the upmost small peace of lacktive. something very very small, water it down, mix it up, put it in a baby syrange to shut into its mouth. it will get the runs. very small like a flake, then shut pedalite into its mouth about ten minuts latter or more to give it nutriants. best of luck. and contact petco tell them its their falt for recomending it, if they say to bad ask for the district managers number, tell them you will call the attorny gen for misleading info if they dont make right on this.

Answer 9

What kind of sand is in her tank?

Answer 10

i'm sorry i cant help you but i've starred this so maybe other people who can will answer.

<3best of luck.

Answer 11

If it is calcium sand, then some might pass through its system and some may be absorbed if in small amounts.

If it is real sand than if in small amounts it may pass.

If it was a large amount and the impaction is bad then a surgery is required mainly.  You could try syringe feeding it "herp-aid" and I can't think of the name but it is like gatorade for herps to help loosen it.  

Other than surgery I can't think of anything but trying to remedy it with stuff from the petstore not petco, every petco I have visted was good variety of items, horrible advice and horrible animal care.

hope i helped           ; l