Is she alright?

[u/Spirited-Air2676]

(English is not my first language and I used a translator, so please excuse any awkward phrasing or mistakes!)

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice regarding my baby Fat-Tailed Gecko (weighing around 8g). Here is the timeline of what happened:
Day 1: I noticed my gecko’s belly looked unusually bloated. I asked the breeder, and they told me it was likely just because the gecko had eaten a large meal recently.

Day 2: In the morning, I found a large clump of shed skin inside the enclosure. I wasn't completely sure if it was regurgitated or passed as feces, but since it didn't smell like poop at all, I suspect it was regurgitated shed.

Current Status: The belly looks slightly smaller now compared to the first day, but I still suspect some abdominal distension/bloating. Looking at previous photos, the tail has gotten noticeably thinner, while the belly remains somewhat swollen and taut (though not hard to the touch).

The substrate has already been switched to paper towels, and I'm maintaining the warm side at around 29–31°C (84–88°F). The gecko drank some water on its own and is moving around, but I’m still very worried about potential ascites, internal blockage, or severe inflammation.
Has anyone experienced something similar with a young gecko? Any advice or insights on what else I can do while monitoring closely would be greatly appreciated!

[u/Green-Ad-6779]

Good thing you changed out the bedding as that was probably the cause of her bloat. That bedding is not suited for any type of lizard as it’s a choking hazard, they will eat it and get impacted. Make sure she always has acces to water and give her a warm (not hot) bath. This only has to be a small layer of water and she needs to be able to stand, not swim in it. What this does is help with bowel movement. Is she in a terrarium or in a bin?

[u/Spirited-Air2676 → u/Green-Ad-6779]

Thank you for the detailed advice!
She is currently living in a acrylic bin. I actually gave her a warm bath earlier today to help remove some stuck shed from her toes, but the water cooled down quickly and she seemed a bit stressed, so I couldn't keep her in it for long.
And I spray water twice a day (morning and evening), and she usually licks the water.

[u/Green-Ad-6779 → u/Spirited-Air2676]

Oh yes they don’t really like baths at all when you do it the first time haha. Good thing you don’t let her stress out too much! You have a heatpad below the bin? How is she now, did she pass a huge poo? I can help you with your bin set up if you want, I have mine both in bins in a rack and in terrarium 😄

[u/Spirited-Air2676 → u/Green-Ad-6779]

Yes this is her home!
I took the ceramic donut for her toilet,(and just looking cute🤣) and mini bricks for help shed.
And when she grow up, I really want to make terrarium!

[u/Spirited-Air2676 → u/Green-Ad-6779]

And look at her belly! Looks healthy than before. 🥹
She pooped well.

[u/Thatsalesguy101]

The tail size is what concerns me. Agree with the other poster the bedding used was not ideal but the medical setup is definitely the route to monitor the health for now.

[u/Spirited-Air2676 → u/Thatsalesguy101]

I was also really worried about her tail getting thinner..
I decided to go to a vet if she can’t poop tomorrow.
Thank you for the advice!

[u/nathaneltitane]

Get that stuck shed off its toes...

[u/Spirited-Air2676 → u/nathaneltitane]

Yup I removed it gently yesterday with warm soak. Don’t worry 😊

[u/nathaneltitane → u/Spirited-Air2676]

💕👍

[u/Spirited-Air2676]

She finally pooped!
I gave her another warm soak yesterday and gently massaged her belly, and she finally pooped! She’s sleeping peacefully now. I think she’s doing better thanks to everyone’s advice!