Female Hurt During Shipping (wound pics)

[Kelentari]

Hi guys. I'm so upset right now! I recently ordered three geckos and two of them were shipped together in a giant deli cup. Oh, yeah, and I'd also like to mention that the cups were just jammed into a flat box. Nothing else in there to absorb shock. Not that there was much room for that, anyway. Great, just great and wonderful. So one of my females that was in the giant cup is cut up pretty bad. Her back, tail, and head all have scratches on them. What should I do for her until I can get her to the vet?! Here are some pics of her:

I'd appreciate any tips for caring for her. I've never experienced this type of thing before. It's breaking my heart to see her like this.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Oh my!!! I am so sorry your geckos arrived in less-tan-perfect condition. This gecko also looks to be pretty thin and/or dehydrated IMO, they should NEVER have been shipped in the same plastic deli-cip container... they should have been in individual cups with a piece of paper towel in the cup for cushioning. The scratches do not look too severe. I would put a little Neosporin or other antibiotic ointment on their sores, and leave them alone for a while until they can de-stress. Make sure they have a little humidity to help with their dry skin.

 

[Kelentari]

Oh my!!! I am so sorry your geckos arrived in less-tan-perfect condition. This gecko also looks to be pretty thin and/or dehydrated IMO, they should NEVER have been shipped in the same plastic deli-cip container... they should have been in individual cups with a piece of paper towel in the cup for cushioning. The scratches do not look too severe. I would put a little Neosporin or other antibiotic ointment on their sores, and leave them alone for a while until they can de-stress. Make sure they have a little humidity to help with their dry skin.

Oh, ok, thank you so much, Marcia! I'm glad to hear that you don't think the scratches are that bad. I've just never had a gecko have wounds before so I was freaking out! I'll put some neosporin on her and make sure she gets extra moisture. If she was yours, would you take her to the vet, too, or do you think this extra care (ointment and hydration) will be enough to get her better?

 

[bitterbeauty]

It doesnt look serious enough for the vet (but then again I cannot see how she is acting etc) But I imagine if you did take her to the vet they would recommend antibiotic cream as well. She does not look that healthy to begin with. You should definatly fatten her up and get her hydrated.

If I were you I would contact the person you bought these from and complain.

 

[Halley]

Yeah, personally I wouldn’t take her to a vet I don’t think they could give you any information than what you have already been given. Just give her Neosporin, a moist hide, and some food to help her fatten up.

 

[Kristi23]

I hope she heals quickly.

 

[acpart]

She does look very much like some of my females who have been with an eager male. In my experience, these scratches heal pretty quickly.

ALiza

 

[Kelentari]

Thanks so much for the words of wisdom and well wishes, guys. I really really appreciate it. :main_yes:

I put some neosporin on her scratches last night. She found her way into a moist hide in her tank, so that was good to see. She's been staying on the cool side of her tank mostly, though. I've left her alone since I put the ointment on to let her get settled in. I think I'll see if she wants to eat tomorrow. Hopefully she'll be feelin better by then and take some food!

I just thought I'd throw this out there: The other two geckos I received in this shipment are doing fine. Their tails are not as thin and they seem to be in good health.

Oh, and I contacted the seller via e-mail and explained what had happened. He apologized and stated that he would from now on ship geckos individually in their own cups. I then replied addressing the box issue, and even included a link to the shipping tutorial video at reptster. I was not rude--I just calmly explained that this method of shipping helps ease trauma on reptiles. Hopefully he'll take all the advice I've given to heart so that this doesn't happen again! He really did seem like a nice guy and I'd like to think that he will follow through with shipping properly now.

 

[Kelentari]

Sad News

I decided to offer some food tonight just to see how things would go and I discovered the poor little hurt girl was dead. I feel so horrible.

 

[nats]

Awww, I'm so sorry

At least she died in a nice safe and quiet place.

She did look pretty banged up to me.
Did the shipper at least put "live animals" on the box??

 

[fallen_angel]

I just don't understand how a person could actually take on something like breeding, selling, and shipping their geckos, without knowing how to do it properly :main_no:

I am so terribly sorry that this happened, that's just so unfortunate. Did you tell the seller? I think this experience will truly hit home once he or she sees the consequences. I am so so sorry

 

[nats]

I just don't understand how a person could actually take on something like breeding, selling, and shipping their geckos, without knowing how to do it properly :main_no:

I am so terribly sorry that this happened, that's just so unfortunate. Did you tell the seller? I think this experience will truly hit home once he or she sees the consequences. I am so so sorry

I agree. That breeder should be ashamed. No excuse for this.
He should send you another leo (properly packed) free of charge!!

 

[rubym]

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope he/she atleast refunds your money or sends a new gecko. I hope that this experience doesn't discourage. Most breeders take every precaution to safeguard against this sort of thing happening. Best wishes.

 

[Kristi23]

I'm so sorry she didn't make it.

 

[Mel&Keith]

Oh no! Maybe there were some sort of internal injuries. I'm sorry you both had to go through that trauma. Hopefully the seller will learn from this.

 

[Kelentari]

Awww, I'm so sorry

At least she died in a nice safe and quiet place.

She did look pretty banged up to me.
Did the shipper at least put "live animals" on the box??

Thank you, nats.

And about the box--no, there was no sort of indication that there were live animals inside. Here are pics of the box they came in:

 

[Kelentari]

I just don't understand how a person could actually take on something like breeding, selling, and shipping their geckos, without knowing how to do it properly :main_no:

I am so terribly sorry that this happened, that's just so unfortunate. Did you tell the seller? I think this experience will truly hit home once he or she sees the consequences. I am so so sorry

I don't understand it either, Jess!

Thank you, and yes, I notified the seller that the gecko died. I've yet to hear back from him.


---Ruby and Kristi, thank you. I will miss her. The dealer described her as friendly and curious--she was looking up at the camera in one of her photos. I could tell that she was a such sweetheart and I am so sad that she had to go through so much trauma. At least she is at peace now.

Oh no! Maybe there were some sort of internal injuries. I'm sorry you both had to go through that trauma. Hopefully the seller will learn from this.

Mel, I hadn't thought of that. It's entirely possible considering the horrible packaging that was used. Thank you. I hope the seller learns to never do this again, too.

 

[David Loftin]

Oh my god.... The seller shipped you the gecko in this box?

That is SO sad.. I truly feel that some people do not deserve to keep any living creatures.

I am sorry to hear that it died.

 

[Kristi23]

That is so wrong.

 

[fallen_angel]

I can't believe that is the box that was used, what an outrage!!!! And the audacity of that person to not e-mail you back! That's just so horrible, again I am so very sorry for everything you had to go through.