Reptile & Amphibian Forums

1.I have been thinking about switching from sand to paper towels, but I think I have a problem. My gecko likes to dig a lot, I don't know why, probably to poop. Will she not poop if I switch to paper towels?
2. I don't have the light on during the day, and when I check on her, her skin is dark, but at night, her color becomes much better.
3. My gecko hasn't shed in a while, like, for a looong time. How often is a gecko supposed to shed? She used to shed once a motnh when she was a baby, but it has greatly slowed down.

Ive had my gecko for a year and a half.

Also I had more.

1. My gecko hasn't eaten a lot lately. She has eaten about 8 crix in the last week or so, and no 1 mealworm, but still, she is eating pretty bad. I don' know the temp because I cant find a thermometer.
2. My gecko has started licking the sand. I use the jurassical stuff and she lcisk it all the time. I just put out a calcium dish but she hasn't touched it for all I know.

Okay - for one, in my opinion, sand is bad! Sand (can and often does) lead to impaction, which is a blocking of the intestines and the geckos dies from this. Sand is very bad.

Paper towels are the best, not being able to eat it, it is safer. And yes, she'll poop.

As to shedding, it depends on several factors. All of mine, however, shed about once a month, to once every six to seven weeks. Be sure to have a humid hide and such.

Licking the sand is BAD! Put it on paper towels soon!

Lack of eating could be a symptom of many things. But with the evidence here, it is probably impaction.
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Modern Geckos
Josh Ellis
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Well what are th syptoms of impaction? How long until she will die? She has eaten though, and we have switched to paper towels. And I thought the stuff I am using isn't supposed to cause impaction?

That's what they claim, but it has still caused impaction. If you look on the label (on some of the brands) it says "Patent Pending"..wonder why. Also, Leopard Geckos digestive systems are slower than most.

As long as she is still pooping, then I'd say that she wouldn't die, and as long as she's eating. But, if she starts noticably loosing weight, I'd take her to a vet.
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Modern Geckos
Josh Ellis
My Email
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Sorry i'm such as noobie, I just need some help.

After reading some more, I figured out she has acute impaction. She has been eating, but in small portions. I have read warm baths do the trick of loosening bowels. How are you supposed to bathe them?

No apology needed - we were all there once.

Bathe them like this:

Take a tupperware container and punch a few holes into the top of the lid.

Fill the container up with enough warm (not too hot, don't want to boil them) water to just touch their stomach.

Put thet lid on, and put it in the warm side of their enclosure, to keep the water a constant temperature. After 30 or so minutes, take them out and leave them alone. Continue doing this for a week or so, daily, and see if she improves.

This method is also good for loosening stuck shed.
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Modern Geckos
Josh Ellis
My Email
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