African Fat-tailed Gecko Fecal Matter

Question
QUESTION: What is the Healthy description of an African fat-tailed gecko fecal matter?  if there is photo that would be great!  but more just what is it supposed to look like.  my African Fat-tail is producing a filmy white substance some are liquid more than solid states.  sometimes she poops balls of white stuff.  she is eating every other day from 3-5 Crickets, and a calcium/vitamin supplement once a week.?  thank you so much for your time.

Christopher

ANSWER: Hello Christopher,
It sounds as though he might have parasites, runny stool usually is a internal parasite problem. In any case your description doesn't sound normal and you should take 2-3 samples of the fecal matter to a vet for testing. They can provide medication if needed. The fecal matter should look solid mostly brown with a bit of white as well.

I hope that helps, hope there is nothing wrong with her, Good luck

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I Just got home from college, and she pooped a big brown ball with a little white film,  but there was an egg next to it.  i quarantined the egg and i am incubating it at around 88 Degrees (F)  the egg does not look good, at least not like her last on 3 weeks ago which was infertile, i am thinking that this is too, but just in case i am taking cautious steps with the egg.  Could her fecal matter problem be caused by her egg?  Thank you so much for your time and Expertise.

ANSWER: Hello, does she have a lay box (area to lay her eggs?) If not then it could be that she is egg bound. If they dont have a comfortable area to lay there eggs they will keep them inside of them causing MAJOR problems.

Here is a link on Dystocia in Leopard Geckos (Egg Binding) pretty much the same information about the topic for AFTs
http://www.drgecko.com/dystocias.htm

At that temperature you are most likely to get a male hatchling if it is fertile

http://www.crestedgecko.com/Fat%20Tail%20Gecko%20Care.htm

Be sure she has a place to lay her future eggs as more will come. And if she starts laying regularly in her provided spot and her fecal matter still hasn't cleared up then its serious but there is a possibility the egg had something to do with it.

Good luck!



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well, her tail seems smaller than before, i am leaving her alone waiting to collect stools.  do AFT lay eggs every year like chickens, or does an actual male have to mate with her?    i have tried researching but i cannot find that answer.

Answer
Hi Christopher, They will lay eggs without a male to fertilize them. They will be "dud" eggs an infertile. So you must supply an adult female a lay box at all times for this purpose. Even with them not being fertile she can still become egg bound. Which is bad.

So they will lay multiple clutches (groups of eggs) most of the year. Not everyday like a chicken would but multiple eggs every couple month or so. Well every gecko is different on how far apart they lay eggs but they should have the lay box setup at all times.

The infertile eggs should be frozen and discarded. Without a male they will never be fertile.

The tail is where they store there fat a plump tail usually stimulates a healthy gecko. So work on getting some nutrients back in her.

Hope that helps, good luck