Gecko Dropped - End of Tail effected

[jcmatador]

Hi,

My 11-year-old son has cared for his blizzard leopard gecko for two years without any big challenges. However, two nights ago, Blizzard jumped from his hands and landed on the carpet. I wasn't there to see how she landed but now it looks like she may have damaged her tail.

In the two years we've had her, we have not had to see a vet. We are looking for advice as to what our next steps should be.

Here is a photo of her tail:



That was from last night. The tail looks the same today as it did last night except perhaps the very tip is more white.

Just looking for recommended course of action - do we wait and watch, do we immediately take her to vet, etc.

Thank you for any and all help.

-jc


- Sex - FEMALE
- Age & Weight - TEENAGER - DON'T KNOW WEIGHT
- How long have you owned your leo - 2 YEARS
- Where was he/she obtained (ex. Pet store, breeder, wild caught, friend) - LOCAL BREEDING PET STORE

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo - ONCE A DAY AT MOST
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now. - NOT ESPECIALLY
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe. - NOT SPECIFICALLY - OCCASIONALLY GOES A WHILE WITHOUT EATING MUCH


B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal) - SAME AS ALWAYS
- When was the last time he/she went - YESTERDAY OR THE DAY BEFORE

C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on

TWO NIGHTS AGO SHE JUMPED OUT OF MY SONS HANDS ONTO CARPET - ABOUT 4 - 5 FEET. SEEMED TO HANDLE IT REASONABLE WELL BUT TAIL DID SEEM TO BE INTERACTING SLIGHTLY DIFFERENTLY



Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size 10 GALLON
- Type (ex. glass tank) GLASS
- Type of substrate - TILE
- Hides, how many, what kind - TWO - WET PLASTIC HIDE ON WARM SIDE - WOODEN ON COOL SIDE

B) Heating
- Heat source - PAD AND A LITTLE BIT OF HEAT LAMP
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side) - 90 HOT - 80-85 COOL
- Method of regulating heat source - MANUAL
- What are you using to measure your temps - ELECTRONIC THERMETER
- Do you have any lights (describe) - STANDARD PURPLE HEAT LAMP

C) Cage mates
- How many (males, females) - NONE YET - WAS GOING TO GET ONE FOR XMAS
- Describe health, or previous problems - SEEMINGLY GOOD. ONCE IN A WHILE SHE WILL GO A LONG TIME (A WEEK OR TWO) WITHOUT EATING BUT ALWAYS SEEMS TO RECOVER

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet
- What you're feeding (how often, how much) - 5-10 MEALWARMS & 2-5 WAXWORMS - EVERY OTHER DAY
- How are you feeding (hand fed, left in dish, ect) - FEEDING ONE AT A TIME INTO HER CAGE


B) Supplements (describe how often)
- What vitamin/minerals are you using (list brands) - CALCIUM IN BOWL
- What are you gut loading food with - NOTHING

 

[DrCarrotTail]

I'd just keep an eye on it. If it starts to turn black you may have to remover the tail to prevent a systemic infection but it doesn't look like it will.

Your leo looks fat and healthy! If you do decide to get another I would quarantine it in another cage for at least two months to make sure it is healthy and won't put your pretty girl at risk. Leopard geckos are solitary animals and often don't appreciate cagemates so if and when you do introduce them I would do so very cautiously and keep a close eye on them for a few weeks to make sure they aren't fighting.

You may also want to add a vitamin supplement to her diet. Many times leos can develop deficiencies in several important vitamins after not being on one for a while. I recommend Repashy Calcium plus. She's also at an age where you may want to decrease the amount you feed. I feed my adult geckos once or twice a week once they're done growing so they don't get too fat. Much like humans, being overweight can have serious side effects on their life and well being down the road. I'd also try to get the cooler side of your tank closer to 70-75. being over 80 all the time is a bit too warm. It is best if she is able to get cooler if she feels the need.

 

[jcmatador]

I wanted to send out a very big thank you for taking the time to share your insight. It provided serious comfort to my 11 year old who was deeply troubled by the situation.

Blizzard appears to be doing great and we are reviewing your suggestions to help make sure she is as healthy as can be.

Here's a picture of her today. Thanks again!

 

[indyana]

Glad to hear that her tail is on the mend!

Silly geckos, thinking they can fly sometimes...