Broken or Dislocated Leg?

[cat_named_noodles]

Today I noticed that Athena was limping on her front right leg. The joint seems swollen. And when she picks the leg up it shakes. I don't think it's MBD, as I've had her for a few months and she's been gaining wait and never had any swollen limbs before, or any malformations with the exception she's missing most her toes and has a regen tail (she's a petstore rescue). I think my DH dropped her a few days ago, that's why I'm thinking it's a bone injuiry.
There are no herp vets in this town, closest one is 2 hours away.
What can be done if the leg is broken/dislocated other than giving her time to heal? What would a vet do? Her appetite is reduced, and although she hasn't gained weight, she has not lost any. I will be calling the local vets tomorrow to see specifically if any has experience w/herps, or thinks they can help.

 

[cat_named_noodles]

I have found a vet that treats herps here in town! My neighbor is a petstore manager and she says they treat reptiles even though it's not listed in the phone book so I will be calling them tomorrow to see what they can do. In the meantime, I am keeping the temps on the warm side up about 96-97 and de-legging her roaches. What else can I do? Anyone have a leo with a similar injury before? What did you do/the vet do?

 

[cat_named_noodles]

So the vet said she can't do anything about Athena's leg it as it's so small an injury. I don't imagine putting a tiny cast on her will make her feel better, but idk, and it sounds like the vet didn't want to bother. The only herp vet in town says I can't do anything. Sheesh, wish I lived in a bigger town, I'd take her to get a second opinion.
Anyway, Athena is doing better. She ate four or five Phoenix worms, two mealworms and a Turk roach yesterday. So I guess maybe the trip to the vet has her feeling better anyway? Weird. She still limps on that leg but the swelling's down. She's also about to shed and gets in and out the humid hide fine. So idk, I guess I will have to watch her and make sure she keeps improving.

 

[Arconna]

Do you have a picture? I had two fractures on one of my geckos way back when when I didn't know enough, and we had him on calcium and his legs healed right up after a few weeks. I don't know if that's something that can be done here, but they're supposed to be rather resilient creatures than can pull through some stuff that would probably kill us. Does she get enough calcium? I suspect if the swelling is going down that she's healing. She might have just injured the leg or got it stuck somewhere and strained it.

 

[cat_named_noodles]

Here are a few pics. She's doing so much better now, but you can still see the swelling. It's in her right fornt leg, around the joint. The swelling is down to about 1/2 of what it was. She's walking on it and it doesn't appear to hurt her-she lets me touch and feel that leg, and she just sits there. She's more active now as well, and has actually gained 3 grams since when I first noticed the injury. So I htink she's going to be fine. But if you have any additional advice/info, please let me know.

 

[GeckoTrouble]

When you feel the lump do you feel any displaced bone?

If not then there is a good chance that it is a sprain or strain and the swelling was just the bodies way of protecting the swollen joint.

There are some homeopathic remedies that can be safely used in small doses with reptiles.
A great one in this situation may be arnica montana. It can be purchased in pillules which can be ground up and then a small amount of a single pillule dusted on feeders.
It would be worth talking to your vet about as it could help reduce swelling, bruising and act as a small boost to the healing process.

 

[cat_named_noodles]

I do not feel any bone moving when I feel her leg. If it is a break it must be tiny, or more likely a strain/sprain as you said. I think I can get some Arnica at the local grocery store-they have quite a nice herbal/supplement section (surprising really, for this little town). I may bring it up with the vet but she seemed pretty bent on the fact I couldn't do anything for her but make sure she keeps eating, and the temps are up. I will be happy to move in a few months so we can get a new vet!

 

[GeckoTrouble]

One pillule powdered should be good for at least 2-3 feedings... it's pretty concentrated

 

[cat_named_noodles]

I just noticed you're in Austin! That's my home town, not my current town, though. I miss it, Midland sucks.

 

[GeckoTrouble]

LOL MIDLAND TOWN OF DOOOOOOM

I spent 3 months there in 2006 when we had the Texas Forest Service Wildfire Incident Command Post. I would not go back by choice

If you are headed back to Austin any time soon I would bring her along. We have a great herp vet here

 

[cat_named_noodles]

Believe me, I am NOT here by choice! lol. I've been here over a year and can honestly say, it sucked the day I moved here, and it still sucks....As for visiting Austin, probably won't be for another month or so. There are lots of good vets in Austin, I used to work at a vet clinic there before moving out here.

 

[GeckoTrouble]

Well when you do make it back PM me and we'll do coffee or something. Will be good to chat with another gecko lover

How is the swelling today?

 

[cat_named_noodles]

Totally! I may be going soon, after or before the weekend of the 4th. I'll pm you when I do. I don't know anyone outside the forums that "speak leo". lol.
Athena is doing good today. She has been sleeping on the UTH all day. She is still limping a little but she seems better as more and more time passes. I need to get her some Phoenix worms as a treat, last time I ordered some I guess they baked in the package, as only 15 or so were alive when they got here..Does any place in Austin have them, I wonder?

 

[GeckoTrouble]

Pretty much all I have seen in Austin is mealies and supers.
The local large chain pet store sometimes carries wax and butter but they are out (I made them toss all their waxies after I was trying to buy some and found them all to be dead).

Herpetron might carry them... I'll try and remember to stop in and ask

 

[aznguyen837]

If you have large chain pet stores around they should be known as Calci-Worms.