Re-growing a tail after 1 year?

[gothra]

A bit of background information first: Lemzip had his tail amputated November last year, the vet stitched up his wound and he healed with a little stub only. His "tail" had been stable for the whole time, but last week, I noticed his stub has become very red, and so I took him to a vet and was told he may have minor infection. I was told to give him antibiotic injection once every 3 days over 2 weeks time, and also clean his tail and put anti-bacterial cream on daily. But what had caused the infection was unknown.

Well, last night, while I put the cream on, I can barely feel something "pointy" inside his stub (near the top, not centered). It kinda feels like soft bone to me, but I could be way off. I'd been thinking, if its possible that Lemzip is starting to regenerate his tail after one whole year of stable condition? And since his stub is closed, the "growth" going on inside has lead to the infection?

Our next visit is Wednesday (11-05), we still have 2 more injections to go. I'll also send an email to the vet and see what he thinks. I hope Lemzip can get well soon.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

WOW. I suppose it's possible he is trying to regenerate his amputated tail, Bonnie.... that would be pretty amazing! I hope it's not another infection. Please keep us updated.

 

[Halley]

That's an interesting story. I'd be great if she did grow it back.

 

[Zynx_Keekeio]

Or could it be scar tissue gone hard? that is very possible or maybe even some old stiching poking out, that stuff is stuff hard and pokey

 

[GeckoGathering]

A bit of background information first: Lemzip had his tail amputated November last year, the vet stitched up his wound and he healed with a little stub only. His "tail" had been stable for the whole time, but last week, I noticed his stub has become very red, and so I took him to a vet and was told he may have minor infection. I was told to give him antibiotic injection once every 3 days over 2 weeks time, and also clean his tail and put anti-bacterial cream on daily. But what had caused the infection was unknown.

Well, last night, while I put the cream on, I can barely feel something "pointy" inside his stub (near the top, not centered). It kinda feels like soft bone to me, but I could be way off. I'd been thinking, if its possible that Lemzip is starting to regenerate his tail after one whole year of stable condition? And since his stub is closed, the "growth" going on inside has lead to the infection?

Our next visit is Wednesday (11-05), we still have 2 more injections to go. I'll also send an email to the vet and see what he thinks. I hope Lemzip can get well soon.

Hi Bonnie. What was the reason for Lemzip's amputation
in the first place. Infection. gang green, deep wound??????
Any open area or drainage beside the redness at the present time?
Could be it wasn't sterilized well enough when it was closed up.
I feel its more infection rather than another tail replacement....
...and may need drained.
Take care and all the best for him and you.... HJ

 

[gothra]

Hi HJ,

Here is my old thread regarding Lemzip's problem:
http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=14018&highlight=Lemzip

There is no open wound or any drainage, just red on the underside of his stub. After his 3rd injection, the redness has receded a little bit. I emailed the vet, he said its not impossible for tail regrowth after such long time, but its not very likely...so he'll check that out in the next visit (Wednesday). Meanwhile, Lemzip is still acting normal and have good appetite.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Same Opinion

Hi HJ,

Here is my old thread regarding Lemzip's problem:
http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=14018&highlight=Lemzip

There is no open wound or any drainage, just red on the underside of his stub. After his 3rd injection, the redness has receded a little bit. I emailed the vet, he said its not impossible for tail regrowth after such long time, but its not very likely...so he'll check that out in the next visit (Wednesday). Meanwhile, Lemzip is still acting normal and have good appetite.

Bonnie, looked at the other post and photos. Glad Lemzip is
keeping strong by eating good. I still feel signs from the photos
support my opinion of infection under the stitching up of the wound.
Frankly I am a bit surprised since when they drop a tail no one stitches it closed........But then I'm not a Vet.......
Although I think I might be AS GOOD as some I have used.
Any more I try to find answers first myself.
Dr. Gecko Site can be helpful at times. It is Vet.
answers to our questions, if you have never used it. Keep it in mind for gecko problems....Take care. HJ

 

[gothra]

Hi everyone,

Just been to the vet today, not good news. The redness seemed to have receded for a few days, but this morning its getting red again. The vet took x-ray and also drew some fluid from his stub for culture; the result will come back in 5 days.

With regard to the x-ray, I hope I can describe it good enough so you can understand what I mean...well, Lemsip has only 2.5 segments of tail bone left after the amputation. Dr. Peter told me that the very last (or half) segment, showed a very vague outline in the x-ray; unlike the other 2 upper segments. Which means the last segment of the bone may be infected (origin of the whole infection). If this is the case, then Lemsip will need to go through another surgery to remove the infected bone. This is going to be very difficult as there really is not much left in the tail.

Now we need to wait for the culture result to come back first, then Dr Peter will assess whether surgery is the only way to go. In the meantime, I'll keep giving him the antibiotic injections. Lemsip is still acting and eating normal during all these time. I feel so bad for him, he is a tough boy, I just hope he doesn't have to go through so many needles and surgery; he really deserve a much better life.

Our next visit is scheduled next Wednesday, I'll keep updating Lemsip's condition. Wish us good luck.

 

[fallen_angel]

We wish you the best of luck with Lemsip, Bonnie! He seems like a real trooper, I just hope everything turns out okay for him. Thank goodness he has such a good mama taking care of him!

 

[GeckoGathering]

Lemsip, stay strong guy.

Hi everyone,

Just been to the vet today, not good news. The redness seemed to have receded for a few days, but this morning its getting red again. The vet took x-ray and also drew some fluid from his stub for culture; the result will come back in 5 days.

With regard to the x-ray,

All the best for the little guy.
Bonnie, does that mean there was no X-Ray done before the first surgery?.......take care.......HJ

 

[gothra]

Ok, we're back from the vet again. There seems to be no improvement; the vet thinks surgery is the best option, but on the other hand, he doesn't want to do the surgery as the area is too close to the pelvis. He warned me several times about the complication of the surgery. So I guess the success rate is not high.

Now, the vet wants to give Lemsip another week, prescribed another type of antibiotic injection (Lemsip will get 2 injections every 3 days now). If there is still no improvement in the next visit, then he'll perform the surgery.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Oh Bonnie! This is so sad that you and Lemzip are still going through all of this!!! If the vet cannot amputate the remaining part of his tail, I am hoping so much that the antibiotics will do the job.

I know how much you love your geckos, and I know you have to ride the train a very long distance to get to the vet. Let's hope and pray that Lemzip is as strong as he can be and finally get passed all of this torture. I'm so sorry...

 

[MSMD]

Bonnie, I'm so sorry that you're going through this again after everything you've already endured with his poor little tail. We'll be thinking of you and sending healing vibes to Lemsip!

 

[fallen_angel]

Best wishes to you and Lemsip Bonnie, I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. I hope that the antibiotics start helping so that he doesn't need the surgery. Our thoughts are with you!!

 

[gothra]

Ok so we're back from the vet again. On Friday, Lemsip pulled out a piece of good skin on the tail area while shedding. Its at the location where he has his baytril injection (underskin type). The vet suspects its the baytril that is causing the breakdown of the skin in that area. So I was told to give the baytril injection at another location (near the bum this time). To me, his little stub seemed a little less red; although his condition is not improving much, but its not getting worse either. Therefore, the vet is still very reluctant to do the surgery; and again he told me straight that he is not confident with performing the surgery.

He gave Lemsip 6 more days, we've arranged the next visit on the coming Tuesday; this time he'll get the vet that did the original surgery to come and take a look at Lemsip, and get a second opinion. If a surgery is neccessary, he'll let the previous vet do it.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Antibiotic injections can cause injection site abcesses, and sometimes causes the tissue to become necrotic. That is why I am unsure about giving the injections under the skin and not intra-muscular. Is there a reason the vet wanted you to do the injections subcutaneously?

 

[gothra]

No he didn't say, and I didn't know enough to ask. Even when he saw the problem yesterday, he still insist I do the injection subcutaneously but at another location. I had been thinking about this last night, Lemsip shed and showed the breakdown of skin after the first baytril injection, and he already received 2 other injections near that area. Now the vet wants us to give the new injections to other sites, if the baytril is really damaging the skin, then next time when Lemsip shed, he will have large areas of skin problem. I think I'll just retain the injections to the same area.

p.s. The other type of antibiotic Lemsip is receiving is "Fortum", which is injected intra-muscular.

 

[rubym]

Bonnie, I am so sorry to hear that little Lemzip is going through all of this again. He had his surgury around the same time that my little Khayman had his amputation. I was hopeful that your little guy had made a full recovery. I will light a candle for your little one. I hope everything turns out well for both of you. HUGS!!!!!

 

[gothra]

Hi, we're back from the vet again. No surgery and no more injections for Lemsip! I consider this as kinda good news! Eventhough Lemsip's tail isn't improving, and he pulled off another piece of good skin last night while shedding. The vet thinks surgery will probably create more problems than solving it; so he decided to drop that idea. Also, we're into the sixth week with antibiotic injections, and clearly, these are not making any progress; especially the subcutaneous injected Baytril. Initially, he thought if the baytril is helping, then he can tolerate with the side effect (breaking down of the skin). But injecting the Baytril seemed to make everything worse.

So, our tactic now is to give Lemsip Baytril orally, once a day for 2 weeks first; and see how things go. The vet said we may not be able to cure his condition, but since Lemsip is still active and eating fine; the infection may or may not spread. Perhaps Lemsip can still live a good "long" life, just with a red and swollen tail.

We believe this is the best option for Lemsip. I have talked with my husband, we both think if there is a good chance that Lemsip can't make it through the surgery, then it may be better to stop everything, and just let him have some good quality life. We feel like we're torturing him by giving him all those injections!

p.s. The other vet that we saw today showed a big exclamation mark on his head when he heard we're giving baytril injection subcutaneously...I guess that really isn't a good idea. :main_no:

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Bonnie, you and Lemzip have certainly been through a lot! I hope that you will have many years together... tail or no tail!