Hi,
Well the whole thing was grotesque and I wanted to
be as respectful to the animal as I could so I didn't do a lot of digging
around. What I found was the tissue was pink from (presumably) the stomach to
the point of impaction. Then the intestine was ruptured here and the sand was in
the body cavity. All of the tissue after this point was putrid and black. It was
transparent enough that I could see a grey/black liquid in the necrotic
intestines. I didn't cut low enough to see what the intestines looked like at
the exit. Once I saw her little liver (I think) I didn't want to cut
anymore.
Of course, I could have this all backwards and the
pink was after the impaction but I don't think so.
I read your earlier post that wasn't recieved and I
wanted to say thanks again. I think I have learned a thing or two. I have
changed the sand in the breeding enclosure to quartz. I've moved non-breeding
spider geckos to paper towel (in my hatchling rack) and I'm in the process of
converting my Pristurus to quartz sand, as well. I would have learned this
"lesson" sooner if the vet had told my the other gecko died from eversion "due
to impaction" rather than eversion "due to parasites". Next time I should trust
my own instincts.
Mike
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 10:10
PM
Subject: Re: [gecko]Sand
impaction---substrate ingestion
Mike---
I tried sending
this to the list this AM, but it does not appear that it was ever received.
Tonight I read of your necropsy. The pink tissue you speak of was
from the vent to the intestine?
Perhaps Stacy will chime in here.
Elizabeth
Subj: Re: [gecko]Sand impaction---substrate ingestion
Date: 3/25/04 10:53:02 AM Pacific Standard Time From: Elizabeth Freer To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Mike---
You're
definitely welcome.
I am so sorry to read that your little spider
gecko has died. May she rest in peace. I know this is not easy
for you, but consider it a learning experience.
To the good health
of all your future offspring, Elizabeth > >
Subj: Re: [gecko]Sand impaction---substrate ingestion
> Date: 3/25/2004 6:52:40 AM Eastern Standard Time
> From: "maleldil" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >
Sent from the Internet (Details) > > >
That's for all the help. I appreciate everything. The little gecko died this
morning. > > I have kept your posts for future
reference, however. This is the second spider I lost to sand, I think. The
first one died from the prolapse. > > Thanks again,
> > Mike > ----- Original Message ----- >
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 1:31 AM > Subject: Re: [gecko]Sand
impaction---substrate ingestion > > > Hi Mike---
> > I think Jurassic Reptile Sand is 100% quartz granules.
It can be ordered by mail in 20 and 50 pound bags from Jerry Bergosh
in Utah. He has a toll-free number. > > It is a good
sign that your wee spider gecko is passing some sand. I do hope that
this continues! I am unaware of any other ways to relieve the
impaction, and you may have caught this before her blockage became total.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and your Ap. I know how
difficult it is to lose a beloved gecko, even one not reared by our own
hands. Perhaps it is not too late for her. I believe in keeping
to try. Soft food, no bugs, is a must since you say she regurgitated
the last cricket you fed her. You seem to be doing all the things my
vet recommended: soft baby food, tepid water soaks, and oil. My
gecko seemed to like licking the CatLax off her lips. (With felines
CatLax is used to treat furballs.) Don't overdue any of these
treatments. More is not always better. Patience is often the
key. > > You might prepare yourself for some prolapse should
she pass more sand and some rectal tissue after a tepid water soak as mine
once did. You may be able to reinsert such tissue by gently using a
q-tip [I say that knowing that my Oc is 15 gm to your Ap 5 gm---but you
might need much smaller instruments like the "probes" in a vet's eye kit]
generously lubricated with Artificial Tears Ointment by Phoenix
Pharmaceuticals in Missouri. Of course, lubricate the prolapse as
well. Artificial Tears Ointment can be obtained/ordered at your local
pharmacy for about $3.45 US dollars per 3.5 gram tube. [Don't use K-Y
jelly as the lubricant. It is too drying.] Major prolapses
should receive immediate first aid of an extended soak in 50% dextrose
solution and veterinary assistance immediately. Granulated sugar can
actually be applied directly to the prolapse with your finger. In my
case the "swelling" did not seem to be reduced by that treatment, but what I
saw were the actual tissues. I hope that my soaks prevented swelling.
> > Mike, do keep us informed about her continued health.
> > Elizabeth > Pacific Northwest Regional GGA Rep
> > > > Subj: Re:
[gecko]Sand impaction---substrate ingestion > Date: 3/24/04 2:53:59
PM Pacific Standard Time > From:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] (maleldil) > Sender:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Reply-to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] > To:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > >
> > I switched to Repti-Sand. It is made of quartz and is very
soft. I have no > clue what Jurassic sand is made of. I wish I did.
Something you said piqued > an interest: > > "Jurassic
Reptile Sand has smooth granules. As we note even JRS has caused
> problems when accidentally ingested. Be certain to check out
any potential > sand you wish to use under a microscope. Sand
often contains silica > crystals which have pointy edges.
Silica sand will accumulate in the gut. > By the time problems
are discovered it is too late to rectify them. " > > This
would lead me to believe my little gecko is now doomed. She has >
ingested silica sand and I think a lot of it (relative to her size). I
> already mentioned that she passed a small quantity today. I hope
she does it > again. > > I guess all I can do now is
wait. I will keep feeding her soft foods and > I'll oil her up and
give warm baths. It's one thing to lose a gecko > purchased from a
store but to lose one raised by my own little hands makes > me a
little more sad. (When I sell them, I don't know what happens to them
> so I just assume they are happy and healthy.) I hope she pulls
through. > > As for the other spider geckos, I might just move
to a > feeding dish and save > myself all the worry. >
> Mike
Elizabeth
Seattle
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lappert
robert
hubert
15.5 yo
r.i.p.
r.i.p
(All Lepidodactylus
lugubris!)
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