I did my own "autopsy" this evening and it was not pretty. There was A LOT of sand in her gut. I think her gut ruptured (and killed her). Her intestines were pink until the point of impaction and after that they were black and smelly with a putrid liquid in them. I don't think she would have been able to pass the sand successfully and live. It definitely had to be from more than just the occasional bit of sand that gets ingested with prey items.
This is just another lesson that geckos (especially smaller species) should not be kept on play sand. Just a question. Is there a "safe" sand-like bedding available for small geckos that they can still bury eggs in? I have heard of wheat germ but I don't know how well it would do (and I also don't know where to get it). Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Julie Bergman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2004 11:43 AM Subject: Re: [gecko]Sand impaction---substrate ingestion > Sorry about your gecko Mike. > > 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? > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Global Gecko Association > http://www.gekkota.com > Classifieds > http://www.gekkota.com/cgi-gekkota/classifieds.cgi > gecko mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://lists.gekkota.com/mailman/listinfo/gecko _______________________________________________ Global Gecko Association http://www.gekkota.com Classifieds http://www.gekkota.com/cgi-gekkota/classifieds.cgi gecko mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.gekkota.com/mailman/listinfo/gecko
