Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm so worried...

I need advice ASAP!!

First, I need to tell you whats wrong.

Sora has a bump on the lower left side of his stomach, and it's really worrying me. I don't think that he's been going to the bathroom in a while, and I think he might be constipated, I don't know. I have to admit that I haven't really been taking care of him that well...I mean, I've been feeding him, but thats about it. I don't really clean his water bowl, or handle him, or ever check on him. Only since last night have I really been paying attention to him.(Which was when I noticed the bump)

I hate to admit it but he lives in a poor habitat - a small cave, and a water bowl. It's a 10 gallon, and it has a heatpad underneath it. But he has no light what-so-ever, my mom makes me put him in a dark hallway with no light at all, and she threw away all of the lights and lamps when my mom made me get rid of my pet snakes and lizards... I grew up with reptiles, and my mom has ruined it for them all. I LOVE them, and I know it's kinda hard for you to imagine a 13 year-old girl loving reptiles.

I just...I really need Sora, he's my world. I have no one else exept for him, and I can't let him die! My parents won't let me take him to a vet, and I don't know what else to do! Please...please, help Sora!!

Ok, First of all, just chill for a sec...

Is it a large bump (near a 1/2 to an inch long)? If it is, you most likely have an eggbound female. Are you 100% sure of the sex? If not, it might be a girl. Eggbound means that she has an egg stuck in her. I don't know if you have her with any other geckos or if she is just by herself? How long ago did you get her? If it was recently, that makes this much more likely. Is he/she on sand? It could be an impaction... (sand stuck in the stomach) Which would result in not eating. Try soaking him/her in warm water for a while and see if it helps.

Good Luck!

Okay, Sora is DEFIDENTLY a male. (He's an adult) And...I actually thought about the egg thing. But he's a male, and I'm 99.9% sure that it is impaction. I have been soaking him in water a lot, but I don't know if its really been helping. I kinda noticed that he hasn't been eating, and I'm really worried...My parents won't let me take him to a vet, and I don't think the water is really helping. And what scares me the most is that we're going away for a week on the 25th, (California)and there's no one to take care of him.

Thanks for the reply 3leo (i think) and please, anyone else who has one sentence to say, DON'T HOLD BACK. I need your help!!

Ok, leopard geckos can last a week without food... He will need water. Lots of it. Feed him as much as he will eat before you go and leave mealworms for him. He will be ok. As for the heat lamp thing, that is no problem, they don't need heat lamps because the under tank heater puts warmth on the belly, needed to digest his food. I have never used one. Is he fat? Is he slimming out at all? I his health starts to go downhill, and I mean fast, it is the best choice for him and for you to put him to sleep. I know it is hard, believe me. I am 12 and I had to do it but if he is suffering it is the best thing for him. Don't go doing it yet though... I only mean if he is REALLY getting sick. Another idea is to give him to a friend who can pay for a vet. I am so sorry to hear about him and I pray that it will turn out fine. Just PLEASE, if he is starving because of impaction... Don't put him through it.

Well...he's not losing health as far as I can see, and I think that I can help him. I have a lot of idea's in mind, and I'm determined to get him better.

>>Well...he's not losing health as far as I can see, and I think that I can help him. I have a lot of idea's in mind, and I'm determined to get him better.

That being said, if he does not improve and you're running out of ideas, you'll need to get him to a vet sooner rather than later. Parents won't let or won't pay? I know it sounds harsh, but there's a difference there...
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

How much do you think it would cost to go to the vet?

>>How much do you think it would cost to go to the vet?

Well, like I said, when I've had to go, it has cost between $70 and $100. If there is a need for surgery (and obviously we all hope there isn't), that price can rise dramatically, but it shouldn't cost more than that to get an exam done so that you can truly know what's going on here.
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

>>>>How much do you think it would cost to go to the vet?
>>
>>Well, like I said, when I've had to go, it has cost between $70 and $100. If there is a need for surgery (and obviously we all hope there isn't), that price can rise dramatically, but it shouldn't cost more than that to get an exam done so that you can truly know what's going on here.
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>>0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
>>0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

Hm, looking back, I guess I didn't say before. My apologies.
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0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko - Tigger
0.1 Crested Gecko - Pooh-Bear

No problem, don't worry about it.

Is there any way you can post a picture of this lump? Maybe we can all get a better idea of what is going on here. Also, is the lump hard or soft? I am praying for your little one. Where do you live? Maybe I can find someone that may be able to help you more.

well...thats one of the many problems. For the picture, #1, it won't work when I try to take pictures of him. They all come out blurry, even if I put it in Macro Mode. The lump is hard, but when you touch it it doesn't seem to hurt him. He actually went to the bathroom and the lump disappeared, but there's another; luckily its smaller, and I hope that will pass through too.

I live in California, around Thousand Oaks. But only if this gets much worse will I really need help. The only problem is right now is that he's not eating, but I think that the mineral oil I gave him will help; but we'll have to wait for tomorrow for it to work. I'll give you info then. Thank you so much though...Sora is my life,I can't lose him, and you all have helped. Seriously.