sarahjane85
New member
I rescued a very large male Tokay just about two weeks ago. "They" said that he could have a broken right hind foot as there was a large lump and scab on the ventral surface. I wanted to wait until he shed so that I could access the problem. I allowed him two days of settling in his new enclosure. As I examined him, his days of improper husbandry began to unfold; blackened toe pads on both hind feet (probable burn), a partially immobile, regrown tail, and his entire right leg was stiffened, although still moveable near his pelvic region, in addition to the large scab on his right hind foot (inadequate husbandry, possibly kept with other males). His third night I gave him a pink to stimulate his appetite and the next night he eagerly accepted about 10 adult roaches by hand. Still no shedding and the scab was still present. I left for four days and returned to find that he had shed. I took him out of the enclosure and examined his foot again. To my horror, his flesh was disintegrating and a pocket had formed where the scab had been and was swarming with small black larvae. I immediately removed him, rinsed off his foot, and soaked it in a diluted iodine soln.
My intent was to give him the proper husbandry and let him live peacefully the rest of his days. But I am now torn -- to have him euthanized or to go through with amputation of his leg, anti-biotics, etc..., etc....
I dislike making the live or die decision.....I had to do it with our two Yellow labs, one with cancer, the other with dementia. And although I've only had him for a very short time, I've grown quite attached to the big guy. I've always had the policy to 'just walk away' when I encounter sick or dying reptiles and to pray that their death will soon be near. Somehow, I completely dropped this policy when he was offered to me.
Money for the vet is not my concern here. It is the stress/trauma that he would be subjected to with the vet visit, drawing blood (it's highly probable he has septicemia), and the actual surgery/amputation.
I welcome comments to help in my decision tonight.
Sarah.
My intent was to give him the proper husbandry and let him live peacefully the rest of his days. But I am now torn -- to have him euthanized or to go through with amputation of his leg, anti-biotics, etc..., etc....
I dislike making the live or die decision.....I had to do it with our two Yellow labs, one with cancer, the other with dementia. And although I've only had him for a very short time, I've grown quite attached to the big guy. I've always had the policy to 'just walk away' when I encounter sick or dying reptiles and to pray that their death will soon be near. Somehow, I completely dropped this policy when he was offered to me.
Money for the vet is not my concern here. It is the stress/trauma that he would be subjected to with the vet visit, drawing blood (it's highly probable he has septicemia), and the actual surgery/amputation.
I welcome comments to help in my decision tonight.
Sarah.
. Basically, he'll be on one level until antibiotics are finished and his leg is entirely healed (~ 1 month). Then, I'm going to pimp out his enclosure with several 'safe' and easily accessible levels to allow him to be as much of an arboreal as he possibly can.
