Help!!!!!! Look at his tail!!!

acharpenter · Apr 22, 2011

Geek is doing great! Sorry for the duplicate pics in my last couple posts everyone - I tried to go back and clean them up but I no longer have access....maybe MOD's could help?

Moving on -tonight is day 22. The most recent pics above are during his shed at day 18 - these are pics at day 22 a few days after his shed - I couldnt be happier!

I have been feeding him Waxworms for the last week and a half - wanted to make sure he ate and got some fat in his diet while going through all this.

I was really worried about how hard it would be to get him back on meal and super worms.

The night of his shed I left 4 Waxworms in there for him and he ate them all. Last night - I hand fed him 4 mealworms (medium) and he ate them all.

When I say I hand fed - I mean - I dropped worms right in front of him that he went into hunt and feed mode on...

Tonight - I hand fed him 4 Superworms and he ate them all!!

I am now going to drop back to feeding medium mealworms every other day.

I was worried about getting him off of the Waxworms...glad this has worked out

Oh and the pics are of him in his foam hide - looks like sand I know - but its his new favorite spot these days:
http://toronto.flyerland.ca/product...-5925215/big-als-aquarium-services-store-1483

Adinar · Apr 22, 2011

He's healing up nicely.

roger · Apr 22, 2011

Great news !!!!

Dog Shrink · Apr 22, 2011

It looks fcabulous... just a speck of scab and nice skin color. You're both doing a great job.

acharpenter · May 3, 2011

10 days since my last update....

This all started Tuesday April 5th and these pics are from Monday May 2nd

So this is 27 days from start to now:

Although I still hate that this happened - I do have to say that I dont think this could have turned out better.

Thanks much to research, asking questions and getting much needed advice and help here.

M_surinamensis · May 4, 2011

Looking great. Also looks like there may be a little bit of regrowth starting there too, he may end up being able to regenerate a normal (or close to it, slightly shorter) taper to the end of the tail after some time- which is relatively rare but excellent news. A lot of credit should be given to the vet for making such a precise cut (and allowing that kind of regrowth by following the rings) and you of course, for your attentive care.

I mentioned it before, but I'll say it again- since those photos are further proof that it's true. Your response to this situation was perfect and should be looked at as a model of responsible and ideal pet keeping. Anyone else who runs into a similar situation would do well to follow your example.

acharpenter · May 4, 2011

WOW - based on that, I would love nothing more than for his tail to regenerate. Wondering why its a rare occurance? Thought they always grow back. Guess I need to do some more research....as usual...

Thanks dude - your opinion means a lot to me : ) - much appreciated and thanks big time for your help, keep on rockin seamus!

M_surinamensis · May 4, 2011

They almost always grow back, but they don't always grow back in their original shape. Generally the tip is much blunter, even when that's all that was removed. It wouldn't have surprised me if he had just healed over a bit of a rounded lump. There are some early indications there that he may grow back something pretty close to normal looking though. It's not unheard of (especially when it was basically just the tip), it is slightly less common though.

When tail autotomy happens naturally, the tissue breaks along pre-determined lines. All the tissue of the tail is arranged in little rings, around the vertebrae and cartilage running down through it. The skin breaks apart in a sort of saw edged shape, with the points left on the part still attached curling in and the points on the part that broke off curling out. When a vet removes the damaged or injured part of the tail, they don't always make the cut along one of those rings, which can delay healing and inhibit regrowth. Your vet did an excellent job, from what I can see in the photos anyway. Insert the usual "sometimes photos aren't perfectly accurate" disclaimer, but it appears that they were quite skilled. Definitely a vet I'd be inclined to keep seeing and to trust with my animals, it's one of those signs that they're really pretty good.

acharpenter · Jun 14, 2011

Last pics were from 05-04-11 - these are from 06-03-11

I thought you all would enjoy seeing the progress - I sure do!

About a month - I still hold out hope for a semi-regular tail but if not - who cares - look at this face = ADORABLE!!

In all honesty - thank you everyone - especially Seamus - for helping me and Geek thru this

acharpenter · Jun 14, 2011

BTW - Seamus - I throw this out on my FB status all the time with a nod to you. I love this and it is totally what I am:

I have no idea how familiar you may be with me. I am not a patient, forgiving or tolerant person when it comes to animal care. I am a perfectionist, I define right and wrong, proper and improper and I adhere to them rigidly, expecting others to do the same. Many of my interactions with other pet owners consist of me yelling about everything they are doing wrong. I am not a very nice person.

Whatever it takes to care for the animals...you rock dude

artes · Jun 15, 2011

I have to say, I think Geek might be one of the happiest looking geckos I've ever seen. Seriously. Even the early photos you could practically see a dancing sun levitating over his head. I'm so glad he healed up so nicely, and even gladder (that totally is a word) that you have such an awesome vet.

im faster · Jun 15, 2011

im glad he is doing well

acharpenter · Oct 25, 2011

another 5 months or so later - TA DA!!!!

Happy Geek:

King of his domain (earlier pic - about 3 months ago) - cute, had to share of course:

fl_orchidslave · Oct 25, 2011

He looks fantastic! It all healed up very nicely

acharpenter · Oct 25, 2011

I am smiling from ear to ear.....so is he for that matter : )

Dimidiata · Oct 26, 2011

You did quite an amazing job, its good to see a model keeper. he looks very happy and he had some nice regrowth and after recovering from the state of shock inflicted upon me by M_ post(really has a soft side afterall XD) i must say its amazing to have seen the progress you made throughout this thread.

animeavatar · Oct 26, 2011

Once my gecko had a tiny tail cut for what reason I don't know( I suspect sharp edges so I removed the hide that seemed sharp), then I accidentally dropped my hide on that spot. It healed really nicely but I still feel bad

artes · Oct 27, 2011

You can barely even tell that his tail is a regrowth. Awesome!

acharpenter · Jan 19, 2017

Wow - when I came to GF tonight for help with my current female - I found this thread again! Man, time flies

Randal Music · Mar 17, 2017

acharpenter said:
Wow - when I came to GF tonight for help with my current female - I found this thread again! Man, time flies

I am very glad you did repost in this thread. I enjoyed reading it and learning from it. I also wondered if you still had Geek, and kept leopard geckos. Do you have any FTS pictures of your habitat?

Help!!!!!! Look at his tail!!!

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