More Giant Day Gecko (Phelsuma grandis) tail problems

Ddeg1 · #1 07-04-2011, 05:34 AM

A week or two ago, I posted a thread saying that the tip of my Giant Day Gecko has turned black, and I was told that it was just a shed problem and he would take it off by himself.

A few days ago, he shed again. I found out when I came home that night that the tip is coming off! I thought that since there was still some of his shed skin left, he would eventually rip the bottom of his tail off, and it would grow back. It has been a few days now, and he still hasn't taken the bottom of his tail off yet. I feel so helpless that I don't know what to do and the last thing I want is for him to suffer. Please help!

hexentanz · #2 07-04-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ddeg1

A week or two ago, I posted a thread saying that the tip of my Giant Day Gecko has turned black, and I was told that it was just a shed problem and he would take it off by himself.

A few days ago, he shed again. I found out when I came home that night that the tip is coming off! I thought that since there was still some of his shed skin left, he would eventually rip the bottom of his tail off, and it would grow back. It has been a few days now, and he still hasn't taken the bottom of his tail off yet. I feel so helpless that I don't know what to do and the last thing I want is for him to suffer. Please help!

As someone pointed out in the other thread, if it came to this you will need to remove the tip for him.

Ddeg1 · #3 07-04-2011, 04:06 PM

How? I think the tip is still attached to his skin.

hexentanz · #4 07-04-2011, 04:35 PM

If the tip is still black despite shedding the tip has most likely died from prior bad sheds. You can remove this by using a razor blade and slicing off the top slightly above the blackened area. You especially want to do this if the tail tip is just hanging on there looking like it will fall off and he has not removed it on his own.

If you are uncomfortable doing this yourself, bring the animal to a vet.

Ddeg1 · #5 07-04-2011, 05:08 PM

Since the vet is most likely out of the question I will have to cut it off. However, knowing him, he probably wont just let me cut the tip of his tail off. Any tips on how to make him stay still?

hexentanz · #6 07-04-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ddeg1

Since the vet is most likely out of the question I will have to cut it off. However, knowing him, he probably wont just let me cut the tip of his tail off. Any tips on how to make him stay still?

Is there any way you can take a pic of what his tail looks like for me?

Ddeg1 · #7 07-04-2011, 05:48 PM

Sure

hexentanz · #8 07-04-2011, 06:11 PM

Hrm.. That does look quite bad yes. Maybe even a little infected from being like that so long.

What I would do is hold on to the gecko behind the shoulder blades while he is on a flat surface (possibly a table). Once you are certain you have a good grip quickly slice across the tail. Make certain to cut off slightly above the black part so all that is left is the healthy green section. If you have someone to help you , the better and quicker the process will go.

Once you are done keep an eye on him for a few days to make sure it is healing well.

If you could though. I would really recommend visiting a vet.

Hrm another idea I had was to get him out on a table and put a box over him (but not fully) leaving out the part of tail that needs to be cut off. Once you cut if he tries to bolt you can let the box down so he doesn't go running.

Ddeg1 · #9 07-04-2011, 07:11 PM

And thats the only way? Will the tail not grow back on its own?

JIGSAW818 · #10 07-04-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ddeg1

And thats the only way? Will the tail not grow back on its own?

looks like it will eventually fall off by its self... and don't grip your gecko to hard he will probably let more of his tail fall off and be careful how you grab him cause if you grip him to hard and he tries to squirm his way out it's skin could tear.

Good luck.