My poor leo

[robbiep23]

I bought my leo about 8 months ago, wasn't kept in the best conditions when i went to buy him but with a little tlc he became very well and healthy..... Sadly this last week its all started to go wrong with him, started off with just a slight loss of apettite but i didn't think much of it with the change of season and tempreture outside, shortly after that i found a small lump on his belly which concerned me alot because he now wasn't eating at all. It took me the best part of a week to find a vet that treats reptiles and got the first available appointment. By the time my leo saw the vet he had gone over a week with out food, the lump was now the size of a marble and took up most of his belly. The vet (who realy did know reptiles) looked at the lump which was now starting to leek fluid said it was an infection under the skin but did not know the cause until the said lump burst while being examined, what came out made me physically sick and faint, sorry for the graphicness of this but out came at least half a dozen worms, infected skin, blood and puss. At this point i had to leave the room and leave my little gecko with the vet. When i was called back to the room the vet told me that my leo had never been treated for worms and they had just over run his system. My leo is on painkillers, antibiotics and deworming medicine but i do not know wether it would be kinder just to put him out of this painfull misery. its the worst feeling in the world being helpless and not knowing what to do for the best. Will post soon after i make a plan of what to do. Rob (sorry for any spelling mistakes but my head is all over the place at the minute)

 

[MSMD]

Sorry about your little one having these problems! I hope he makes a full recovery!

 

[acpart]

I'm sorry you all are having such a hard time. I recommend you give your leo a few days to see how he's taking it all. If he seems to be doing OK with the treatment it might be good to give him the time to recover. Sometimes they are amazing at what they can recover from.

Aliza

 

[MelissaDiane]

You've gone this far. I would give the meds some time to work & let the little Leo decide (up to a certain point). I think you will know if you need to do something. It is very hard to be in your position & I can relate. It's a very trying time for you & for your little Leo. Hang in there. Also, it sounds like you have a very knowledgable vet in reptiles so I would go by his direction as well. I really feel bad that you are going through this. I was so discouraged when my little girl got sick (my first one that I bought in July this year) that I wasn't sure I was cut out to be a Leo owner but the worse thing you can do is give up or beat yourself up. Don't quit.

 

[THE WHISPERER]

I would think that if the Vet didn't think he would make it, He wouldn't have given you the meds. I say don't give up. I wish you and your gecko the best.

 

[robbiep23]

Still worried, couple of days since i saw the vet now and my little one is not able to keep the worming medicine down. He is fine with the antibiotics and painkillers. He hasn't eaten yet but is drinking quite alot and i saw him licking at his calcium. will keep you all posted on his progress. Back at the vets on thursday.

 

[voretaq7]

I know with humans antibiotics are dehydrating, so I would imagine they have the same effect on a gecko - the drinking is probably a good sign. You may want to give the vet a call about not being able to keep the worming meds down though - they may be able to give you different meds that don't make your gecko sick.

Is he eating anything yet?

 

[robbiep23]

not eaten yet, tried waxworms, mealies and small crickets but shows no interest.

 

[Haligren]

I'm really sorry to hear about your little guy.

 

[robbiep23]

Well he's still with us!! Been to the vets again today and ive been told to just carry on with the medications, the wound where the original lump was is healing and there isn't any more coming up. Don't want to get my hopes up to much because he is very sick still. Thanks for all the support on the forum. p.s got him on the slurry now so hopefully he will be getting some nourishment

 

[robbiep23]

Just a quick question, how much slurry should i be giving my leo? he had 4ml from a feeding syringe but it seemed like he wanted more. Should i feed him till he stops or will this overload his stomach? thanks for all your support this week.

 

[lytlesnake]

I don't know exactly how much (slurry) is too much, but if you're getting the gecko to take 4 ml. that seems pretty good. Marcias' instructions say not to force feed, just let the gecko lick it off your fingers. That's what I've done, but it can be difficult and time consuming to get them to eat very much that way. So I think you should keep doing what you're doing. If the gecko wants more, it probably won't hurt.

 

[robbiep23]

just thought i would update you all on my little ones condition. After 4 vets visits and alot a tlc it is starting to look promising now, he has responded well to the antibiotics and deworming medication. His weight is back up to 40g (went down to 32g at its lowest) and has started to eat on his own again. There is just two scabs on the belly which are healing well and has shed well for the first time in a while.
Would just like to thank everyone for there advice and support especially MOGL!! The slurry could have saved my leo and for that i am realy gratefull. (my vet has asked me for a copy of the slurry recipe). Thanks again everyone, Merry christmas

 

[lillith]

That is so awesome, I'm *very enthused* to hear it's going well for your little guy!
Cheers for being such a dedicated leo owner!

 

[robbiep23]

Personally i don't think people should buy a pet if they don't have the means to look after it. I am not well off by a long way but just had to sacrifice a few things to pay my vets bill. Couldn't live with out my leo, think i appreciate him more now i was so close to losing him.

 

[lillith]

Oh, lordie, let's not go there. I'm broke but it's because I spend it on all my kids; human, furry, and herp. And yes, I do have minor savings, but not as much as I'd like.

My point is, this comes up again and again, and this is not a financial advice forum, ya know?

Live and let live, each as best they can. Yes I hate it when I see people take on more than they can care for, that's wrong; but it's not automatically attached to anyone's income...dig? I see it as more of a psychological thing, collecting to the point of pathology.

I'm very very glad your leo's on the mend. It just shows how resilient they can be, and I think it's amazing that you were able to save this one, I'm not sure that just anybody could. What's his name?

 

[robbiep23]

When i first got him i kept calling him leo while i was trying to decide a name, in the end leo seemed to suit so thats how it stayed. When i first posted about leo i realy thought it was a case of him getting put to sleep because he was so ill, some one posted that my vet wouldn't have given meds if he didn't think there was a chance of him recovering. Well he's pretty much back to his old self now, likes attention from everyone (exept the vet who got bitten twice because i said "oh he never bites" Its a strange feeling being in a vets waiting room with a gecko nestled in your jumper surrounded by cats and dogs!!

 

[rubym]

LOL, I agree with that feeling Rob. We get some real looks from some of the "furry" parents when we sit at the vets. We had 5 little tubs one day and a lady next to me asked what in the world I had. When I told her it was my lizards she had to move. She said that she was scared to death of them. The funny part was she had this huge mastif that could rip a limb off it it chose too and she was afraid of 5 tiny little leos. I am very glad to hear that your little Leo is on the mend. Best wishes for both of you.

 

[robbiep23]

startin to look healthier now, still alittle thin but likes to pose!!!

 

[rubym]

awwww he is a very handsome guy! It is amazing how these little guys can bounce back. In no time he will be big and fat. Our very first gecko is named "grandpa Leo". We have no idea how old he is but being the first in our collection he has the title of grandpa. We bought him from a breeder going out of business and he had him for about 3 years he said but he was full grown when he got him.