What do I do now?

[gitrdone0420]

I was just checking on everyone before I went to bed and noticed that one of my leos is not walking on their back legs. In fact, after doing a pinch-toe test they arent even flinching. I think she is paralysed! She is in a ten gallon with a humid hide (repti-shelter cave small) and a home-made warm hide (Tupperware Container). She has water and meal-worms. temps are at 95*F Substrate used is paper towels. There is nothing that would have fallen on her, I have never dropped her, she was fine yesterday. How in the world could this have happened? What would have caused this? What must I have done wrong? These poor little guys depend on us to take care of them and I feel like a failure. My vet wont be available until potentially Monday and there are no emergency vets around here that see reptiles. She doesnt seem to be in any pain, but its just not fair to her to make her wait. I am beside myself. Everything seems to be crashing down around me and this is just the icing on the cake.
I dont know what else I can take. I dont know what to do. I dont know how this happened....

 

[acpart]

I have a healthy male gecko that jumped off my hand last year. I picked him up after he landed and he couldn't move his back legs. A few minutes later he was fine and remains fine. I'm not saying that this is what happened to your gecko, but it may be a temporary thing. Meanwhile, in case it's MBD from lack of calcium (even though I imagine you do supplement), dip your finger in water, dip it in the calcium with D3 and rub some off on her mouth so she'll lick it off. Check your temperatures to make sure it isn't too hot, which can lead to a condition resembling acute MBD. If she's not housed alone, separate her. Keep her comfortable and quiet and if she's still having problems on Mon., take her to the vet.

Aliza

 

[gitrdone0420]

It has to be something acute- she was fine 24 hours ago. I do supplement. Everyone has their own calcium dishes, I will try dipping my finger in water-calcium thing. Her temps range from 92-95*F. And she is housed alone. Always has been. All I can do right this very minute is play the waiting game, but its killing me >.<

 

[gitrdone0420]

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[JordanAng420]

Are the insects you are feeding properly sized? I know bearded dragons can have something similar when their crickets are too big for them.

 

[gitrdone0420]

I dont feed her anything that is larger than the space between her eyes.

 

[Palor]

Your gecko could of suffered a spinal embolism, I don't think it is very likely but it is an possibility. Only a vet can tell you with any certainty, and if this is the case it is not your fault at all. With this kind of injury there is a 50/50 chance of recovery.

Hope your gecko recovers.

 

[gitrdone0420]

UPDATE: I checked on her earlier and it now looks like her tail is dying. The tail is getting worse as the day progresses. Could this possibly be a circulatory problem? I held her up the light and there is a really nasty dark spot in her abdomen more on her right side. There is nothing in the cage for her to get impacted on... I dont know what it could be. I am so confused and worried and mystified as to how this could have happend. Like I said, there are NO emergency vets for reptiles in my area =/ I have to wait. Its not fair.

 

[acpart]

Do you think an emergency non-reptile vet would see her? Maybe s/he could do something, even giving antibiotics or making an educated guess about what's going on. I have no idea what it is, either.

Aliza

 

[gitrdone0420]

I ended up taking her to work, to a vet that doesnt do reptiles on a regular basis. You can read the new thread : Here