Leopard Gecko Radiography! Help!

RE: Leopard Gecko Radiography! Help!

Olivia Coulton — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 14:11:07 GMT

If you cannot get any diagnostics off xray and faecal you may want to think about bloods and an ultrasound just incase. here is an article for you about blood collection in sauria it talk about using the heart or the abdmominal vein in geckos. www.theveterinarynurse.com/.../how-to-obtain-a-blood-sample-in-reptiles-via-venepuncture

RE: Leopard Gecko Radiography! Help!

Nicola McFadden — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 13:52:30 GMT

Thank you!

I tend not to trust the thermostat so have it set to 30 degrees and I have independent thermometers. I have seen it be between the 33-34 mark, so I thought I’d mention that. I have bought a new thermostat as a result. I also bought a new heat mat, ceramic bulb and UVB bulb just incase anything was faulty.

I am very cautious with the size of the locust, they are her favourite but I do make sure she gets variety. I find it hard to get hold of calci-worms but I will call around and see if any pet shops have them in.

I’m glad a DV should be suffice because I’m so worried about her dropping her beautiful wee tail. I don’t want her having to deal with impaction and a dropped tail.

I’m just trying to make sure I’m not missing anything.

RE: Leopard Gecko Radiography! Help!

Olivia Coulton — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 13:34:42 GMT

Hey Nicola,

A DV x-ray should be enough to determine whether the impaction is being caused by a foreign body or if she has any masses present, I usually put small lizards in a small shoe box and position with that to stop them from escaping and to be as stress free as possible or you can use a something else that will hold your gecko that you can x-ray through so it doesn't interfere with the x-rays. If you have it I use a small bird setting for my small lizards but one of our radiographers may comment on this for an exact setting for you. Once you have some faeces I would do a faecal float/parasitology +/- send off for bacterial, fungal and protozoal check on it to make sure this is not the reason why she is becoming impacted which looks like your on it already!. Just a thought but make sure the locusts you feed are smaller than the width of her eyes have seen a lot of beardies lately with impactions and this has been the cause along with chitin impaction. I would make sure she is well hydrated too especially with live food eaters. Just be careful with your hot side it should be no more than 29-33 degrees C. Just be careful again with the waxworms as if fed for a long enough period they can cause fatty liver disease as high in fat if you want a low fat choice I would go calci-worms instead if you want easier digestion. Watch her weight also as they can get constipation due to compression of the fat pads on the guts.You can also use lactulose in reptiles but technically off license and down to your vet to prescribe if liquid parrafin is not working for you.

Hope this helps