OMG i'm feeling bad about this! - Paw Talk

ratty_ratkins · #1 02-14-2005, 04:14 PM

i have my first job, and its night shift 12 hrs! i have been really workin my butt off too! well, oviously when i was at work something happend to my leopard gecko. (i never get him out, he doesnt like it, i dont want to stress him) i was cleaning the cage, picked him up and noticed his tail and feet are REALLY red and his tail is scabbed (on the bottom) and his feet and scabbed alittle too. the humitidy and temp of his cage is fine!! i dont know what the world happend (he does have trouble sheding, i think its realated to that?)i soaked him in warm water, dryed him off, and put neosporne (i used it on past reptile, vet said it was fine) on this feet and tail. i think maybe he needs a vet. his tail has a yellowish clear scabb. and when i was soaking him i turned my head to get the phone (STUPID ME) and he climed out of the container of water and feel on the floor, it was about a 2 nearly 3 foot fall. i am just having terrible luck with this leo! ohh, and he is pretty old, about 6yrs... does elder lizards develop shedding problems sometimes?

Mygala · #2 02-14-2005, 04:50 PM

If you have a "hot rock", that is what I would suspect. Herps frequently burn themselves on them. I'd recommend losing that first off.

Neosporin/Triple antibiotic ointment is a good step. Keep him warm and humid, and make sure he eats okay and he should have no problem.

Padfoot · #3 02-14-2005, 05:50 PM

Are you leaving crickets in his enclosure? As far as I know, crix can do a lot of damage to a reptile if hungry, so maybe there are chances that crickets are biting him?

ratty_ratkins · #4 02-14-2005, 07:03 PM

there is not heat rock in there, i know better. and no crickets, he wont eat cricket (never would in the 4 years that i had him) there is meal worms that get left in there. i know they can bite, maybe thats what it is! i dont think so tho, cuz he has had these problems before with shedding, but never this bad, i better make sure to keep superworms out of there when he isnt eating, incase thats what it is.

Padfoot · #5 02-14-2005, 07:16 PM

No, as far as I know mealies don't bite the leos... it does sounds like it's shedding problems...

Ravnos · #6 02-14-2005, 08:03 PM

Meal worms and super worms are certainly capable of biting, but if its only on his underside that seems unlikely. Since geckos have such delicate skin, they can be prone to bacterial problems if they happen to sit in their own mess for any length of time. Or it might even be from the substrate itself. Things like Reptibark do contain oils and who knows what that could do if it was directly on their skin for any length of time. My advice would be to put him on a sterile, easily cleaned substrate like newspaper or paper towels for a while, keep him and the wounds as clean as possible, and monitor his eating/drinking. If he seems to be acting normal, then I wouldn't worry too much. If he stops eating, then its time to talk to a vet.

Rav

ratty_ratkins · #7 02-15-2005, 09:24 AM

he is on newspaper and always has been. he poops only in one spot thats on the opposit end of the cage from his hide box (he stays in there most of the time) but it looks like kinda like a burn but the under tank heater isnt hot at all, matter of fact its a piece of crap and barley puts out any heat. thanks for the advice

ratty_ratkins · #8 02-15-2005, 05:56 PM

i just washed my leo off and put neosporn on him, and i noticed that the skin is barely on there, i think it will end up falling off. i am worribout infection... but is cage is spotless and everything really steral (i been cleaning daily since i noticed his problem) i am debating if he needs vet care. i will continue trying the neosporn and keeping him clean for a while. he didnt eat today (he usally doesnt eat but 3 times a week, although i atempt to feed him daily) he showed intrest in the food, but didnt eat it...

ratty_ratkins · #9 02-19-2005, 02:51 AM

i think the leo is healing up well and he will be fine. i think it was shedding problems cuz it looks like he will lose some of his toes. but i dont see how shedding problems could have took massive amounts of the skin off the tail and make all his under side of his tail scabb up! whatever happend, he will be fine now.

furryscaly · #10 02-20-2005, 05:28 PM

Do you have a moist hide? If not, that's probably the cause of your troubles. All leo enclosures should be outfitted with a moist hide and if you're lacking one that could cause shedding problems.

ratty_ratkins · #11 02-21-2005, 09:27 PM

i have never had a moist hid for him and i have had him for going on 5 years. he has never had this promblem before. can you maybe give my info about moist hides?

Padfoot · #12 02-21-2005, 10:15 PM

Taken from http://www.herpcenter.com/showthread.php?t=2731

Quote:


	Moist hide A moist hide is designed to aid with shedding and to double as a laying box for gravid females. To create a moist hide, cut a hole in the side of a margarine tub. The hole should be closest to the top of the container but should have at least 1 inch of plastic remaining on the bottom. Place some sphagnum moss or a similar medium in the container and wet slightly. The substrate should not be so wet that water is evident. It also must not be dry. The best way to get a good consistency is too hold the medium in your hand and add water. Now squeeze out the excess moisture. This will leave a safe medium for you to use. Moist hides are often used as an aid for the gecko to help loosen skin that is shedding.