severe abdominal hernia

[gothra]

Marcia, I'm sorry that leona didn't make it.

I need to let you know that you're a great help to many of us here, and I learned a lot from reading your posts. Whenever anything happens to my geckos, the first thing I can think of, is make a post here and see what you think about it. My vet is a herp vet and knows about reptiles in general, but she says she's not a leopard gecko specialist (I happen to be the only client with leopard geckos). When problem arises, she also suggested me to go to forums and ask experience breeders who has years of hands-on experience on leopard geckos; who definitely knows more about leopard geckos than a general herp vet.

 

[brandy101010]

I'm so sorry Leona could not be saved. Please do not blame yourself Marcia. We all know you have what it takes to be a great gecko breeder because you are a great gecko breeder. If you were not a great gecko breeder you would not share your experiences and you would not try your hardest to learn about every experience. There are breeders out there that would not even think of paying for surgery for a gecko, They would put it in the freezer and buy a new one. It's sad but we all know this is the truth. It is the best of breeders that want to save their geckos and want to know what is causing the problems so They can learn how to fix it. The fact that you spent the time and money to find out what was going on with your gecko even though you knew in your heart she would not make it proves that you are great! And I admire you for it. I can only hope to be half the breeder that you sre someday. We all respect you not only as a breeder but as a person. Don't be so hard on yourself. We love you!

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

Marcia, you are one of the most caring breeders out there, you put so much time and LOVE into you geckos that it is unreal. You take that every EXTRA step to do all you can.

All I know is you can't save them all, no matter how hard you try and you did your best and went above and beyond to try to help her.

You should be the Gecko Patron Saint for all you have done and still do!

 

[Melody]

Wow, Marcia, I was so sad to see this. You are such a wonderful help to me with all my inexperience. Remember what you told me when I was trying to save Little Debbie - that it's better to try to save one even if you lose it than to do nothing. You always try your hardest not only for your own babies but for all of the rest of us on here as well!

Marcia, you are exactly the kind of person who SHOULD be a breeder because you really really care about your geckos. The three I got from you are the sweetest and healthiest I have ever seen! You can see the difference with them -- and you can just tell the loving environment in which you raised them. You can SEE a difference in them from the others!

With all my zoo, I have to constantly remind myself as well -- even when you do EVERYTHING right, things can still go wrong. Ultimately, only God is in control no matter how much we want a different outcome at times.

My thoughts and prayers are with you, and I share your grief. No one is a better gecko Mom than you -- and we'll keep reminding you of that!

 

[KiKi]

marcia i am so sorry about leona,but melody is right because youcare so much thats why you make a good breeder

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Well, if this hasn't made you feel any better about Leona, I'm sure it at least gave you a huge self-esteem boost hang in there.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I don't know how to thank you all for your kind wishes. I thought I should let you know that Dr. Harkewicz did not even charge me for all he did to try to help Leona and find out what happened. He said he gained knowledge from this, and has shared it along with photos on the VIN (Veterinary Internet Network) for other herp vets around the world to learn from.

It's good to know that Leona's death was not in vain...

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I don't know how to thank you all for your kind wishes. I thought I should let you know that Dr. Harkewicz did not even charge me for all he did to try to help Leona and find out what happened. He said he gained knowledge from this, and has shared it along with photos on the VIN (Veterinary Internet Network) for other herp vets around the world to learn from.

It's good to know that Leona's death was not in vain...

Well, at least there is a bright spot in this situation.

 

[BluGnat]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Marcia. You are an amazing role model in the Leo world - please don't doubt yourself. Every hobby/career involving all the different types of animals needs a hundred people like you involved. The world would be a much safer and better place for the critters if that were the case.

 

[KelliH]

Marcia, I am sorry you lost her. No, you are not the only breeder that has things like this happen. All of us do. You are the only one with the courage to post about such sad things, and I am your #1 fan (minion).

 

[Jeanne]

Marcia,

I am truly sorry you had to go through this, I read this post yesterday and didn't know what to say. I think Paul said it best when he said this:

but hopefully through your experience and wisdom I may be more competent in dealing with it. I think it's about time you change your moniker to "Wise Old Gecko Lady".

You truly are a blessing to the "Animal" world.

 

[Dottie]

I'm so very sorry you lost your girl. I think what makes you such a good breeder is your attachment and love for the "kids".
Sincerely,Dorcas

 

[BalloonzForU]

Marcia, I'm so sorry for your loss. I was really hoping that she would be saved. Don't put yourself down. As already said with all the years and animals that you have, you are bound to have a few have something go wrong. Thank you for sharing this information with us, it will be very helpful for many of us that will eventually have something like this some day.

I agree, the Mean Old Gecko Lady is truly the Wise Old Gecko Lady!!

 

[GekkoGalaksen]

I also think "Wise Old Gecko Lady" (I am not sure about old though) would be much better!
I am so impressed over the sharing...
Myself, well...I always have a hard time talking about the sad things that sometimes happens.
I had a female who got into trouble and we decided to put her to sleep last week...it´s so sad!
So we know how it feels and we think of you, Marcia!

 

[OSUgecko]

I'm really sorry about your gecko, Marcia. It's always horrible to have a pet that gets sick like that, especially when there's really nothing that you can do. You tried your hardest to save her, and you CANNOT blame yourself for this. It's just one of those things that happens occasionally despite your best efforts to the contrary!

And no, you're not the only person to have problems with your animal's health. A lot of problems don't get discussed, and if some people haven't had sick geckos you had better believe that they've had other pets get sick before!

Another note that I might add... I am planning on going to vet school very soon, and possibly specializing in exotics. Your experience, tragic though it was, might help me to make a diagnosis years in the future that could save another gecko! Who knows? Reptile medicine is moving so fast... in another few years we may be able to save geckos with this problem. So don't stop posting these things. You are helping everyone on this forum out by sharing your knowlege with us!

Wise Gecko Lady!!
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[GeckoMandi]

I'm sorry for your loss Marcia, but we do all we can until it goes out of our hands.