swollen wound.

[Cadhlaureen]

I did not come here to be bashed about how I'm not taking my Leopard gecko to the vet at this very moment and sitting on the internet looking for an answer.
I will make this very clear from the start, We do not have the money to take him to the vet right now. In the future I will take him but I need some temporary measures until I can scrounge up $200.

My problem is that he has a swollen wound behind his right eye. The skin is torn, and pink, much like an open wound or a boil underneath the skin. I feel that it may be effecting his jaw as his ability to eat has dwindled down. His tail is now becoming skinny. For right now he is eating enough not to starve, and obviously I do not want him to die.

THE VET IS NOT AN OPTION RIGHT NOW. We live in a small town where specialty vets are very expensive and well out of the way. I need an idea of what I can do to feed him more, or perhaps start the healing process on the wound until I can get him to the vet, as I intend to do.

Please be thoughtful, I know it seems silly when he is obviously in much pain and starving, but this is honestly the best I can do at the moment. I do not want him to die, and I can't just give him away.

 

[roger]

Sorry to hear about your leo.As i see it ,you have two options.You say u havnt got money for a vet and you also don't want to give him away.Both of those are the ONLY options.You HAVE to take him to the vet which u say u cant afford or give him away to someone who can afford it.I would suggest u take one of those options.From what i'm reading in your post u dont want to do either.U should do whats best for the leo.

 

[Cadhlaureen]

I'm asking for something to help for right now. It's not mine to give away, I suppose I should have stated that. I've just also been informed that it's gotten worse the swelling started at the eye and has literally worked it's way back. I read somewhere that a moist q-tip helped with the swollen eye? Maybe that would help as it's along the same lines? I'm not looking for a cure-all, I'm looking for temporary relief until I can take him to the vet.

I'm trying very hard to do what's best. It's very distressing to me to see an animal in such a situation, and the situation was not remedied when it first appeared.

If you can only present basically one option, which is taking him to the vet then please refrain from posting. I never stated that I didn't want to take him to the vet, it's quite the opposite, I know I need to take him, however as stated before, this is not an option at this moment in time. Maybe within the nest few weeks, not now however.

 

[Stomlin35]

If you can post a pic, it'd really be helpful. Otherwise, is it stuck shed in the eye? If so, a moist q-tip MAY help. Without knowing what exactly is causing it, we can't really give you many home options.

 

[Cadhlaureen]

I'll try and get a picture up tomorrow morning. I'm not going to be going back to her house until tomorrow. Sorry, getting a picture didn't cross my mind until later.

 

[Stomlin35]

No problem. Hopefully we'll be able to get her comfortable with some home care.

 

[Cadhlaureen]

Thank you for your patience. Reptiles really aren't my thing, I'm much better at 'fixing' (for lack of a better word) mammals. It's very painful for me to see him in this state! I'll be getting some pictures up soon.

 

[Tony C]

Sounds like an abscess. If it is, a vet visit and antibiotics are necessary whether you want to hear it or not.

 

[Cadhlaureen]

That's fine. I know he needs to go, but that's very helpful. At least now I have an idea of what to search for, and how bad the situation might be.

 

[Tony C]

If it is an abscess, there really are no home remedies. The wound must be cut open, pus and debris removed, and then followed up with treatment by antibiotics to prevent further infection. It is impossible to say if it is or isn't an abscess based on a few forum posts, but whatever the diagnosis may be, the significant weight loss is a sign that SOMETHING is very wrong, and your gecko needs to see a properly qualified vet at the earliest possible opportunity.

 

[Cadhlaureen]

Yey! I convinced my friend that he was in serious danger of dying from showing her this thread. she called her parents and they gave her some money to take him to the vet. He's going within the week!
Thank you all!

 

[Gregg M]

If it is an abscess, there really are no home remedies. The wound must be cut open, pus and debris removed, and then followed up with treatment by antibiotics to prevent further infection. It is impossible to say if it is or isn't an abscess based on a few forum posts, but whatever the diagnosis may be, the significant weight loss is a sign that SOMETHING is very wrong, and your gecko needs to see a properly qualified vet at the earliest possible opportunity.

I agree with Tony, it does sound like an abscess... I have treated a couple of "rescue" leos brought to my friends shop with abscesses with good results but I also had access to antibiotics and was able to lance the infected areas...
I have seen what happens to leos with abscesses that are left untreated... Its not pretty...