| It'd be pretty irresponsible to own a pet, no matter | | | | load feeder insects with food containing calcium, dust |
| what kind, and not take it to a vet when it's required. | | | | feeder insects with more calcium powder, and |
| Sometimes things get serious enough that you need | | | | consider switching to a feeder insect that naturally |
| expert help, and that's where vets come in. Still, | | | | contains more calcium (such as silkworms). |
| wouldn't you rather avoid leopard gecko health issues | | | | Choose food carefully |
| as much as possible by doing what you can before | | | | Strange as it may sound, obesity is another common |
| they arise? | | | | health issue with leopard geckos. |
| Here's how to do what you can to avoid health | | | | To avoid obesity problems, don't feed your adult leo |
| problems with your leo: | | | | a diet comprised only of worms, as these tend to be |
| Think seriously about sand | | | | fatty compared with crickets and roaches. Instead, |
| Do you know how many hits you get on Google if | | | | alternate between feeder insect types every 3-6 |
| you search for "leopard gecko" and "impaction"? You | | | | months. |
| get 22,600 - that represents a lot of people | | | | Also, don't feed your leo more than 3 times per |
| concerned about this all-too-common health problem. | | | | week, and when you feed it don't give it more |
| If you didn't already know, sand impaction is where a | | | | feeder insects than it can eat in 15 minutes. |
| leopard gecko eats sand and it gets stuck in their | | | | Ensure there's adequate heat |
| digestive system. This causes pain, bloating, and | | | | Leopard geckos need a high temperature of around |
| eventually (if the leo is unable to pass the sand and | | | | 90 degrees Fahrenheit in their environment. This is |
| doesn't receive treatment) death. | | | | necessary for all kinds of reasons, but health-wise |
| So how do you avoid your leo developing sand | | | | there are two important ones: to aid digestion, and |
| impaction? Here is the formula: | | | | to maintain a properly-functioning immune system. |
| - If possible, avoid putting sand in your leo's habitat | | | | Remember that you must carefully and accurately |
| altogether. There are plenty of other substrates to | | | | measure the heat in your leo's tank so that you can |
| choose from, such as slate tile or coconut husk. | | | | be sure that it's the correct temperature. Use an |
| - If you put sand in your leo's tank, use only a fine | | | | infrared temperature gun (search the web for "temp |
| 'play sand' (this is a screened and washed sand with | | | | gun")) to precisely measure substrate surface |
| a fine, rounded grain). | | | | temperatures - mercury thermometers may not give |
| - Don't put juvenile leopard geckos on a sand | | | | you an accurate reading unless they are positioned |
| substrate - wait until they are at least 5-6 months | | | | exactly. |
| old. | | | | A word of advice here: The vet you choose must |
| - Supply plenty of dietary calcium. Leos are more | | | | have knowledge of reptile care in order to be able to |
| prone to eating when they feel calcium deficient, so | | | | advise on any leopard gecko health issues. |
| provide them with a bowl of calcium powder, gut | | | | |