Tail injury question- too fat?

[Chupes]

Hi everyone,

I noticed tonight on my female SHTCTB that her tail has a half inch long wound. It runs around the tail along one of those sort of "creases" they have. I'm wondering if it might be because her tail is too fat? Some of these "creases" are sort of deeper than those on my other geckos, because her tail is so plump. It's about as round as a 50 cent piece at the thickest portion.

Has anyone ever heard of a tail splitting along these creases?

She does live in a 20 gal long with another female who is a little smaller than her. There was a history of some scuffles before I think (wounds around the mouth), but nothing like this. That happened a long time ago. They are both 1 yr old and have been living together since birth. I don't think this is due to fighting as the wound is just too large, deep and conveniently placed along one of these "creases."

Anyone ever have this happen before? Should I starve a couple days a week her a little bit to get her to lose some weight?

Thanks

 

[roger]

Hi everyone,

I noticed tonight on my female SHTCTB that her tail has a half inch long wound. It runs around the tail along one of those sort of "creases" they have. I'm wondering if it might be because her tail is too fat? Some of these "creases" are sort of deeper than those on my other geckos, because her tail is so plump. It's about as round as a 50 cent piece at the thickest portion.

Has anyone ever heard of a tail splitting along these creases?

She does live in a 20 gal long with another female who is a little smaller than her. There was a history of some scuffles before I think (wounds around the mouth), but nothing like this. That happened a long time ago. They are both 1 yr old and have been living together since birth. I don't think this is due to fighting as the wound is just too large, deep and conveniently placed along one of these "creases."

Anyone ever have this happen before? Should I starve a couple days a week her a little bit to get her to lose some weight?

Thanks

My first question I guess would be why you didnt seperate them when there was a history of "scuffles" plural- more than one.My second question would why be why would u "starve' an animal to lose weight?? Thirdly and most importantly seperate the two because obviously there was another "scuffle" and put her on some clean paper towel and put some polysporin on her tail.I dont understand your thinking that there was no scuffle because the wound is too big??.Can u post some pics please.

 

[Tony C]

One possibility that comes to mind is that your other leo may have bitten her tail and held on, and she tore the skin trying to escape. I don't think it is at all likely that being overweight caused the skin to split.

 

[Chupes]

She did just shed last night as well and had no wound at that time. I'm wondering if she rubbed on something that cut her. I'll have to check the enclosure for anything that might have chipped and became sharp. The wound is just to clean and almost surgical to be a bite honestly.

 

[roger]

poor thing she's having a rough time of it.First a broken femure bone and now this.Hope she does ok.Has her broken femure bone healed properly? That was september wasnt it?

 

[sammer021486]

Since you are unable to provide pictures atm, here is a picture of my female after a scuffle with my male who tried to mate with her.

It is not obvious that it was another fight, because the wound does not match a bite mark. Common sense. The perpetrator would need quite a large mouth to make this size of a wound on this round of a tail, and the other gecko is just not that big.

Since you mentioned that the wound is about 1/2" long, along this crease, then I would definitely say that your girls have been fighting again, even if their is no other signs of struggle. Leos have pretty thick skin and can show no signs of bite marks, but if they have something holding its tail the natural thing to do is drop the tail, most likely the reason you see this wound along the crease.

I don't think this is due to fighting as the wound is just too large, deep and conveniently placed along one of these "creases."

The crease is a separation point in the tail, sort of like the weakest link. If this wound was caused by a sharp edge, it would be logical that it would run parallel to the tail and not perpendicular. Or if it did run perpendicular, there would be signs of a tear somewhere along the wound to indicate the gecko pulling away from the sharp edge.

I have to agree with Roger and say that if you have witnessed repeated scuffles, then it is not likely that your girls are going to get a long and it would be easier on both of them to be separated.

Considering the fact that this girl now has a wounded tail, she should be placed in her own set up. This will help with preventing infections, and allow her to rest so that she can heal.

 

[Keith N]

Ever heard of a human just losing a leg because they are fat? She tried to drop her tail when the other one latched on, you need to seperate them before something worse happens.

 

[Chupes]

So it looks line a tail drop. I will have to separate them. It does not look like the bites in the picture. Thanks to those who offered advice without attacking the quality of my care. Her leg healed fine the vet said after doing a 2 nd xray. Thanks

 

[sammer021486]

So it looks line a tail drop. I will have to separate them. It does not look like the bites in the picture. Thanks to those who offered advice without attacking the quality of my care. Her leg healed fine the vet said after doing a 2 nd xray. Thanks

The picture was provided to show an example of a tail that has been pulled on and separated at the crease, the bite marks are additional damage she received.

If allowed to heal, she could possibly hold onto her tail. My girl did and it was healed up in roughly two weeks.

Here is a pic of her tail almost healed up, for this to occur though she does need to have her own tank, as added stress from being in with another gecko, could make her drop it.

 

[roger]

My concern is for your leopard geckos health.I brought to your attention things which screamed out at me from your initial post and thats why i questioned them.After your leos had the first altercations where her mouth was injured you should have immediately seperated them right then and there.So now your leo has had her mouth injured in the initial fights,her femure broken and now a severe laceration to her tail.So by your own admission you admit she had had more than one wound to the mouth , a broken femur and now a big laceration to her tail.That is an awful lot of injuries for one gecko and I believe she is only 1 yr ????

 

[roger]

The picture was provided to show an example of a tail that has been pulled on and separated at the crease, the bite marks are additional damage she received.

If allowed to heal, she could possibly hold onto her tail. My girl did and it was healed up in roughly two weeks.

Here is a pic of her tail almost healed up, for this to occur though she does need to have her own tank, as added stress from being in with another gecko, could make her drop it.

Sammer

i hope shes doing alright.yeah that sometimes happens during mating.That sucks when a male is real aggresive but it happens

 

[bman123]

You have had alot of trouble with her. If you wont seperate them now maybe you should consider giving them away. Hope she heals up right but you need to seperate them. Why not put a divider in the middle of your tank and put your uth in the middle also??

They will be alone and have enough room still.