Is my fat tailed gecko dying?

N

Ninnula

Guest
Hi, Ive had 2 fat tailed geckos for the past 11 years and they both have been fine, up until recently.

The male is sadly not doing well :(.

His "testicles" or whatever they are keep popping out, he seems to be dragging his hind legs a lot, he has major shedding problems and his tummy feels all wrinkly, and he doesn't seem to be going to the bathroom often anymore. He doesn't run around at all and just sits there, before he used to run around and explore, but he still makes an effort to eat and is somewhat fat.

Why do his testicles keep popping out? Is he just old and ready to go? I usually get them to go back in by placing him in very very shallow warm water.

He lives separate from the girl.

The girl also mysteriously lost her tail after 11 years a few months ago. She didn't seem stressed at all and lost it whilst changing skin. It grew back extremely round and large...but I'm also wondering why it fell off in the first place. Otherwise she seems perfectly healthy.

I might be able to get some pictures later.
 

Srt14292

Est; 1992
Messages
1,294
Location
London, UK
Well the male is having a prolapse, but for 11 years old they have had a good run. What are the temps like? as for the female, she may have got stressed out or pulled it off whilst shedding, or got it caught somewhere.
I suggest a vet trip for both just in case, just to clear all parasites.
 
N

Ninnula

Guest
Well the male is having a prolapse, but for 11 years old they have had a good run. What are the temps like? as for the female, she may have got stressed out or pulled it off whilst shedding, or got it caught somewhere.
I suggest a vet trip for both just in case, just to clear all parasites.

The temps are about 90F on one half of the cage for both, my house (and the weather) is extremely cold and they are both by the window. Its been that way since I got them and neither of them have had skin changing issues until now. I have tried lowering it and it didn't seem to help the male at all. In fact he seemed more unhappy.

I want to take them to the vet, but I don't know how much it costs or if I can afford it. How much does a vet usually take to check out at least one gecko? I gave one away before to a vet when it was sick and I felt it was suffering , and I don't want to have to do that again
 

Srt14292

Est; 1992
Messages
1,294
Location
London, UK
Again for 11 years they have had a good run, however 90F is a good temp hows the humidity?
Are you aware they need higher humidity then leos?

As for the cost, I live in the UK so I have no idea how it would compare to vets over sea's, again the fact that every vetenary practice charges different rates.

I wouldn't think they charge too much for a fecal exam and a once over. But it might be the price you have to pay.
 
N

Ninnula

Guest
Again for 11 years they have had a good run, however 90F is a good temp hows the humidity?
Are you aware they need higher humidity then leos?

As for the cost, I live in the UK so I have no idea how it would compare to vets over sea's, again the fact that every vetenary practice charges different rates.

I wouldn't think they charge too much for a fecal exam and a once over. But it might be the price you have to pay.

Sadly I never paid attention to the humidity, because I didn't know it mattered until recently :(. But I have been misting the male's cage and it seemed to help with the skin changing a bit. I tried to put in a humid hide, but he never goes in it and seemed frightened of it. It took up too much room in the cage.

I guess you are right, 11 years is a good run. I would just be devastated to one day lift up his house and find him dead but I don't want to have him suffer...I guess Ill try to look for a vet.
 

Srt14292

Est; 1992
Messages
1,294
Location
London, UK
You can look, and add back the humid hide, you will find he gets used to it, try finding a margerine tub or an icecream tub to cut a door in and put some sphagnum moss in. Or wet paper towels.

Its all sad and one day we are all unfortunately going to lift up the lid and find one of our beloved bets dead. and that truley sucks. But lets try and make the most of them while they are here. Stay posotive you never know the vet might have some more advice you can take on board.
 

LizMarie

New Member
Messages
2,002
Location
NYC
I wouldn't call 11 years a good run since average is 15-20years but to each his own. I'm trying to reach that 20 year mark with mine even though their ages are an estimate from the previous owner.

As for the prolapse I've never dealt with it and I can't give any advice about that, sorry.

If you live in an area that is cold PLEASE DO NOT place your geckos by a window. Air will come through any opening in the window no matter how small and draft can cause problems. My gecko was placed next to my bedroom window and every fall/winter I went to home depot and bought the window kit thing which was basically a HUGE plastic that you place over the window and tape down the edges to stop the cold air from coming in. I've used it for the past few years and it works very well for me.

I suggest you provide those humid hides on a daily bases and make sure they are moist because Fat Tails like the humidity for some reason my girl likes it extra wet. I also give 1 or 2 spritz in their cage on ONE side once a day to boost up the humidity because in with weather the air is very dry.

Your male could be having shedding issues do the dryness in the air because its cold. Dragging his legs can be something like MBD, maybe. Are you providing calcium?

Your female could have lost her tail many different ways, got scared, pinched it somewhere or she yanked it off herself while shedding, it's hard to say.

Also can you provide a run down of the enclosure and care?
- What size cages? substrate? hides? etc.
- What are you feeding how often? Are you dusting? Providing calcium?
 

mindgamer8907

New Member
Messages
144
Well, you may want to check this with someone who knows more about fat tails, but I know with leos I used luke-warm water and dissolve as much sugar in it as possible, to the point of super saturation (some that wont dissolve). If I got this wrong and someone who knows better wants to set me right feel free. If you don't feel like using the sugar then don't worry, the water should be good enough. I suppose that's what you were doing anyway. LoL
 
N

Ninnula

Guest
Well, I took him to the vet and she checked him out and said he seemed very healthy, and didn't show signs of stomach lumps/broken legs/mouth rot. She gave me some anti inflammatory which I have been giving him and he hasn't had any more incidents in his lower region. He even moves his legs more.

But his behavior seems so off that I wonder if hes in pain or hungry or both?

Some times when I walk into the room he immediately runs out of the house and runs toward the glass where my hand is and tries to claw his way up the glass :main_huh:. He even shook his tail at me? When I pick him up he goes back to normal. I'm sure geckos aren't smart enough to know where to search for relief for pain or where to get someone to provide them food.

I recently purchased lights for the cage as the vet recommended, I'm afraid something is hurting him from the medicine, there is usually food in his cage yet he ignores them most of the time, unless the crickets are dipped in the white calcium power. Maybe its too hot in the cage or something?

Im really confused why hes acting very un lizard like.
 

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