Stripes is acting strangely. He is listless, spending little time under his hut and instead resting his head on his food bowl. He is not eating or defecating. Sometimes he will bury his head between the food dish and the glass. I'm worried because this is not normally the way he behaves. I got him as a juvenile about seven months ago and have always used a sand substrate. Maybe he'simpacted? Any help would be much appreciated.

Oh My that does not sound good, You need to get him into a herp vet as quick as possible. Impaction from sand can and will definately kill. I learned that the hard way a very long time ago.

I am sorry to hear this,,,,,,,on another note welcome to HC!

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

welcome to the site, it sounds serious. Sand usually wont harm a healthy gecko, (unless its calcium sand, then all bets are off) but it sounds like he is not well. I would definitely remove the sand and use paper towels, newspaper, tile, carpet or something else that cannot be ingested.
This will prevent him from eating anymore, and allow you to see if he defecates.

With that said I would try giving him a warm soak and rubbing him from breastbone to his vent to try to get things moving and make a vet appointment.

Herp Vet Connection

ARAV

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Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

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Thanks. Unfortunately, I've never handled him before (he always seemed freaked out by it) so handling him now may stress him out too much. I will call a vet though.

I'd definitely atleast take the chance of stressing him to get him off of the sand, the soak might still benefit him despite the stress it puts on him too.

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Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos