I've been reading the Leo forums since we brought Rocky, our 2-year old normal leo, home just over 2 years ago - although this is my first post. I thought everyone might like to hear a story of a very sick gecko with a happy ending!!!
Just over 2 months ago I noticed Rocky became less active and was keeping his eyes closed most of the time. We kept an eye on him for a couple weeks then noticed one side of his head had become swollen. From reading the forums I suspected an abcess so we found a local vet that advertised care for reptiles. She examined Rocky, diagnosed mouth rot, gave him an injection of antibiotics and sent us home with more antibiotics to give him. After two weeks of medication the swelling seemed to go down in his head but more swelling developed under his jaw. I called the vet and described his condition and said I thought he had an abcess and asked if they could do something to reduce the swelling. They told me it would cost over $500 for cultures and to remove the abcess (if that's what it was). I decided it was time for a second opinion...
Vet #2 took one look at Rocky and said he had an abcess. She took him to the back and was able to remove much of the matter causing the swelling and sent me home with more antibiotics - all for less than $100! Poor Rocky looked like his namesake from the movie - bloody, swollen and just plain miserable. My husband was about ready to give up on him but I was determined to give him another chance. By this time Rocky had not eaten for several weeks so I also made the Gecko soup. So for the last 2 months I've been medicating and feeding Rocky his soup daily, took him for a couple rechecks with vet #2, and by last week all of the swelling had gone down and he was very lively. Also last week I decided to stop giving the Gecko Soup to encourage him to eat on his own. Finally last night he ate 4 giant mealworms!! I was very relieved!!!
I feel that the information I've learned from this site played a huge part in Rocky's recovery!!! Thank you!!
Just over 2 months ago I noticed Rocky became less active and was keeping his eyes closed most of the time. We kept an eye on him for a couple weeks then noticed one side of his head had become swollen. From reading the forums I suspected an abcess so we found a local vet that advertised care for reptiles. She examined Rocky, diagnosed mouth rot, gave him an injection of antibiotics and sent us home with more antibiotics to give him. After two weeks of medication the swelling seemed to go down in his head but more swelling developed under his jaw. I called the vet and described his condition and said I thought he had an abcess and asked if they could do something to reduce the swelling. They told me it would cost over $500 for cultures and to remove the abcess (if that's what it was). I decided it was time for a second opinion...
Vet #2 took one look at Rocky and said he had an abcess. She took him to the back and was able to remove much of the matter causing the swelling and sent me home with more antibiotics - all for less than $100! Poor Rocky looked like his namesake from the movie - bloody, swollen and just plain miserable. My husband was about ready to give up on him but I was determined to give him another chance. By this time Rocky had not eaten for several weeks so I also made the Gecko soup. So for the last 2 months I've been medicating and feeding Rocky his soup daily, took him for a couple rechecks with vet #2, and by last week all of the swelling had gone down and he was very lively. Also last week I decided to stop giving the Gecko Soup to encourage him to eat on his own. Finally last night he ate 4 giant mealworms!! I was very relieved!!!
I feel that the information I've learned from this site played a huge part in Rocky's recovery!!! Thank you!!
