What's Wrong With Rukia?!

[Kelentari]

Last night I moved Rukia (who I thought was female but looks male now) in with another gecko of comparable age and size. When I got home from work today I looked in on her and noticed her back legs looked stiff. I lifted her up and realized she couldn't move them. Now she's on her back and acting like she can't move her front legs, either. What has happened? I kept a dish of calcium in her tank and fed her mealworms from it. Her cage temps were good, 90 on warm side, room temp on cool side. Holy crap, this has come out of nowhere! She was always happy and healthy in her cage before I moved her...

Here are a couple of pics of what's going on:

Oh my gosh--what's happening?

 

[Kelentari]

Upon further consideration, I removed the photos. Although they were not graphic, they were sad...I'll just keep that added sadness to myself. And now here come the tears...

What in the world have I done wrong? The other gecko is fine. There are no wounds on either one. I didn't hear or observe any fighting last night when I introduced them into the tank. It's just the craziest, unfairest thing...

 

[Bennayboi]

My guess would be impaction or she fell off of something.

 

[voretaq7]

I've heard of impaction affecting the rear legs, but if she can't move her front legs it sounds like a fall to me -- Is there anything in the cage that she could fall off of (or that could fall on her?)

 

[Kelentari]

I had (it's out now) this in there:

The tallest point is 8.5." It never occurred to me that a fall from that height could injure/kill a gecko.

But now...now I don't know what to do for her. She's still on her back. She's breathing. I feel so sick. What can I do for her?

 

[Bennayboi]

Flip her over and hope for the best? Id put her in her own small tank with a couple hides and perfect temps. I dont think an 8" inch fall could serriously injured a gecko. Its possible it was a freak accident or maybe shes just sick.

 

[voretaq7]

I agree with Bennayboy - I don't think an 8" fall would really hurt a gecko - In fact mine occasionally takes a flying leap off the top of the second level in my tank which is about 8" high and so far hasn't had any ill effects (besides freaking me out every time I see it).

I would put her in her own tank so she doesn't get stressed out, and maybe offer a few mealworms so you can see if she's eating. I wish I could be more helpful :-/

 

[nats]

I think you need to take your leo to a vet right away.
Theres no point in us speculating what may or may not have happened.
It's not helping her.

 

[Kelentari]

I think you need to take your leo to a vet right away.
Theres no point in us speculating what may or may not have happened.
It's not helping her.

Yes, of course, I'm taking her to the vet. I called today and, unfortunately, I cannot get in until Tuesday.

I was just wondering if anyone had tips for what to do for her last night before I could get her to the vet. I guess I should have stated that before, but I was quite distraught. Also, ideas on what might have happened could help me to keep it from happening again to another gecko or to not obsess over what I did wrong if it may have been something out of my hands.


On a happier note, Rukia is on her feet again and can move her front legs now. I switched some other kids' housing around last night to accommodate Rukia in a smaller, private tank. I touched her back legs with my fingernail to test whether or not she could feel--she did twitch the legs when I touched them. I am hopeful that whatever has happened is fixable.

Thanks for your input last night, guys.