Julie B.
maleldil wrote:
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] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[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 granuales. 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] <mailto:[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
I'm so confused. Don't spider geckos LIVE on sand?
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