Rescue - May not make it

[GeckoTrouble]

I visited a semi large chain pet store which I have never been to today and came home with this little darling. Normally I don't rescue from pet stores as it only encourages them... but I just couldn't leave this guy behind.

It was on sand, overhead bulb only, single hide (with a big hole in it so it couldn't actually hide), crickets everywhere. He would strike at the crickets, but did not have the energy to keep hold of them (plus they were way to big for him)
It was being sold as an adult leopard gecko for $70.
After throwing a tantrum (and finding out that the poor gal had just taken over the reptiles and had no clue) I talked the price way down and brought it home.

I have it set up in a 10g with UTH, two hides, calcium, water and a bowl of dusted small mealies in front of the cool hide (where it is hiding).

As you can see from pics, his tail is either dislocated/broken/malformed.
I'm guessing it's around 4 months... but with the state of him it's hard to tell... he weighed 12 grams when I got home.

I'm going to make a vet appointment first thing monday. Would appreciate any advice... I've rescued before but not one so young and in such bad condition.

 

[snowgyre]

Considering his tail is so skinny and his torso is so fat, I'm thinking either sand impactation or parasites. I'm leaning towards impactation though. I've seen much, much worse though. Considering his eyes are open, alert, and bright, I think he's got a fighting chance with some veterinary attention.

Also, with a tail like that, I'm thinking he's suffering from a pretty serious calcium deficiency. That deformity may be from the little guy pulling as much calcium as he can from a 'disposable' source. I could be wrong, but it's something to think about.

 

[GeckoTrouble]

He has no fat along his spine (doesn't really show it in the pics).

I wouldn't be suprised if he was impacted. He has a pretty dark spot on his belly (but more towards the front than I would expect for impaction)
I'll try and get some pics of that tomorrow.

 

[GeckoTrouble]

Well he ate a few mealworms about an hour ago.

I just went in to check him and he'd regurged them

The good news is that he's found the UTH

 

[stellascura420]

Poor little guy I'm glad you got him where he'll get well taken care of. Good luck with him

 

[gitrdone0420]

Good luck! I cant believe that pet stores take such poor care of these precious guys =/ Its really sad... I really hope that everything works out

 

[Alliemac]

Those pics just make me want to cry.

 

[Olimpia]

Poor thing... I'm glad that my big petstore has relatively ok care for their geckos, they keep them on repticarpet most of the time. Not that they couldn't improve what they do, but it's a start. It doesn't help that their staff doesn't know much about them, even though I know there are some that own a couple leos.

I wish you the best of luck turning this guy's life around!

 

[GeckoTrouble]

Good news is it made it through the night (glued to the UTH), it also ate a couple more mealies...
I may make him some slurry though to try and get a little more good stuff into him.

He pooped last night. But it took him two goes and it was very full of liquid.

Oh and I looked at the regurg under a good light. It was the two mealies, a cricket and a lot of sand

 

[Olimpia]

Oh and I looked at the regurg under a good light. It was the two mealies, a cricket and a lot of sand

Well, in a way that's good. Hopefully he's getting whatever sand is still in his stomach out before it just adds to the clogging. Let us know what the vet says!

 

[GeckoTrouble]

Well he ate 6 more mealies

Had a 15 minute warm water soak (drank some too)

Regurged 4 mealies

Ate some jump start.

I couldn't find a lot of the ingredients (stupid sunday) for the slurry but will get some of them from the vet tomorrow.

 

[GeckoTrouble]

Just got back from seeing Dr Lusk at Westgate Pet and Bird.

Basically Kink is malnourished, possible MBD and parasite loaded.

They did a cloacal flush and gave him his first dose of panacur.

He's to get:
0.1cc mealworm mush 3+ times a day
Water 0.1cc 3 times a day
0.1cc neocalglucon (10 x dilution) 2 times a day

He's getting a recheck in 2 weeks for a second dose of panacur and an update

We're hoping to get a usable fecal sample soon to run a parasite profile (direct, float and stain)

The good news is that translumination did not show an obvious impaction

 

[snowgyre]

Well, he could've been impacted and parasite loaded, so that's definite good news. Man, it's a good thing you rescued that little guy. He wouldn't have stood a chance otherwise. How's he/she doing, besides, the obvious things that are wrong? Hehe, for lack of a better term, how's the morale?

 

[GeckoTrouble]

He's doing pretty well... quiet unless you're trying to pick him up and then he's a little fiesty.

None of the staff could believe he was so spunky given the state of him

 

[GeckoTrouble]

Well after some persuasion he ate his first mealie mush and water meal.

Here he is taking a well deserved post mush nap

Snore

Boobs make good gecko pillows

Okay, nap time over!

Kink has also found that hides are wonderful places to hide

 

[Saphira]

oh poor sweetie. so glad you saved him!

 

[stellascura420]

Glad to hear he's doing better. You named him Kink? That's cute!

 

[GeckoTrouble]

Glad to hear he's doing better. You named him Kink? That's cute!

LOL, yeah I kept thinking of the kink in his tail and it stuck

 

[ajveachster]

I have to say I admire the patience and commitment you and all other rescuers have with your special geckos.

 

[GeckoTrouble]

Thank you

For me it's all about that end result, seeing a happy, fat tail, healthy gecko...

Even the ones who don't make it are worth it to know that their last days were spent being given the best care and being loved