Uroplatus fimbriatus Injury!
- Thread starter TCHILD
- Start date
phearamedusa
New member
Sounds serious to me, I'd say a visit to the vet is called for, but then again I'm a newbie, and still not up to par on the different types of gecko. They all look neat to me. But reading on the different sites has lead me to believe that if the respiratory system is involved with these critters to seek more experienced help fast. Hope some one with more experience chimes in for you.
Good luck, hopefully everything works out ok.
Melanie
Good luck, hopefully everything works out ok.
Melanie
Scott F
New member
Agreed, sounds like you might need to see a vet. If you post pics you will get a better response. It is hard to determine if your guy has a serius problem or just minor snout abrasion from hunting....which can be helped along by simple applications of neosporin and changing your set up a little bit so there is nothing abrasive for him to hit his snout against. However if you can see the teeth when his mouth is shut and his nostril is crusted over, I would have to say that will probably lead to some seriuos problems soon; mouth rot, respiratory infection, etc.
One thing you can do now is to rearrange the cage to prevent more abrasions to the wound. Pics of the enclosure as well, will help us to help you pin point the source of the problem.
One thing you can do now is to rearrange the cage to prevent more abrasions to the wound. Pics of the enclosure as well, will help us to help you pin point the source of the problem.
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LizardMack
New member
You can use an ointment if its cut, like Bactene, etc. but used sparingly. I'd keep an eye on it and watch for secondary infection, etc. If it doesn't look better you can see the vet. Although with Fimbriatus and stress levels there's not much the vet can do effectively. Most vets, even specialized exotic vets I don't think are very familiar with Uroplatus. A lot of times the visit only stresses the animal out even more. You'd be surpriesed what they can endure. I've had mine bump their noses a few times with scrapes and rash and they healed up nicely. Not sure how bad yours is but thats just food for thought.
TCHILD
New member
Thank you for your responses!
I just got back from a specialized exotic vet. He prescribed a antibiotic (Tobramycin Ophthalmic) to be applied to the snout 2 times a day for 2 weeks. Also a zinc and vitamin C gel (Oral Cleansing Gel) to be applied right after the antibiotic applications. I was told to continue the gel for 4 to 6 weeks. He asked me where I got the gecko and commented that you don't find them in pet stores. He also said that nothing else could be done but that it would take months for the wound to heal. I hope that eventually his nostral reopens...
Robert
I just got back from a specialized exotic vet. He prescribed a antibiotic (Tobramycin Ophthalmic) to be applied to the snout 2 times a day for 2 weeks. Also a zinc and vitamin C gel (Oral Cleansing Gel) to be applied right after the antibiotic applications. I was told to continue the gel for 4 to 6 weeks. He asked me where I got the gecko and commented that you don't find them in pet stores. He also said that nothing else could be done but that it would take months for the wound to heal. I hope that eventually his nostral reopens...
Robert
LizardMack
New member
Awesome! I hope he gets better. Keep us updated.
Scott F
New member
Glad to hear you got him the proper medical attention!
Remeber to crash proof his cage so he can't continue damaging the snout while he is recovering. Evaluate your setup.......and if he is crashing into cork bark as he dive bombs for crickets........remove the bark. If you just leave bamboo poles and branches in the cage the crickets will stay more on the ground. Use a nice soft substrate like coco coir. this way when he nails the cricket close to the ground, the bedding will act as a cushion.
Remeber to crash proof his cage so he can't continue damaging the snout while he is recovering. Evaluate your setup.......and if he is crashing into cork bark as he dive bombs for crickets........remove the bark. If you just leave bamboo poles and branches in the cage the crickets will stay more on the ground. Use a nice soft substrate like coco coir. this way when he nails the cricket close to the ground, the bedding will act as a cushion.
Scott F
New member
Three things I would do:
1. Take out the cork slab. Your Fimb is probably leaping from the grape wood targeting a cricket, and proceeding to plow into the cork full steam ahead. Crickets love to climb the cork in my cages. If the snout damage is as seriuos as you have described, I doubt this was a one time incident. He has probably been bumping his snout over and over again in this fashion. The cork is hard and extremely rough texured. This probably will be an ongoing problem. Or rearrange the cork to lean against the far corner of the tank so he does not torpedo into it from only a few inches away.
2. While the grape wood looks nice, Fimbriatus prefer to rest on very smooth barked saplings in the wild with a diameter of 1-2 inches. I would switch up the grape wood for 2-3 foot long, 1-2 inch diameter smooth, straight branches . Just go outside and cut some fresh branches of a tree. Cut them fresh, dead wood found on the ground harbors bugs. Bamboo works as well.......but the Fimbs camoflauge with the bark of tree branches better. Arrange them Diaganally and almost vertically. With more branches you can create a more usable space for your gecko.
3. Add ferns and pothos to help with humidty and to add some more cover.
Hope this helps!!!
1. Take out the cork slab. Your Fimb is probably leaping from the grape wood targeting a cricket, and proceeding to plow into the cork full steam ahead. Crickets love to climb the cork in my cages. If the snout damage is as seriuos as you have described, I doubt this was a one time incident. He has probably been bumping his snout over and over again in this fashion. The cork is hard and extremely rough texured. This probably will be an ongoing problem. Or rearrange the cork to lean against the far corner of the tank so he does not torpedo into it from only a few inches away.
2. While the grape wood looks nice, Fimbriatus prefer to rest on very smooth barked saplings in the wild with a diameter of 1-2 inches. I would switch up the grape wood for 2-3 foot long, 1-2 inch diameter smooth, straight branches . Just go outside and cut some fresh branches of a tree. Cut them fresh, dead wood found on the ground harbors bugs. Bamboo works as well.......but the Fimbs camoflauge with the bark of tree branches better. Arrange them Diaganally and almost vertically. With more branches you can create a more usable space for your gecko.
3. Add ferns and pothos to help with humidty and to add some more cover.
Hope this helps!!!
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phearamedusa
New member
Glad to hear he will recover in time, and barring further injury/infection. Good Luck.
TCHILD
New member
I appreciate the continued concern and advice!
I watched Hydra tear off and eat his shed today. It was an incredible sight. His left nostril has opened up but so has the wound. He did not mind the anitbiotic but he became upset when I applied the gel, vocalizing and displaying. Check out the pic...
Robert
I watched Hydra tear off and eat his shed today. It was an incredible sight. His left nostril has opened up but so has the wound. He did not mind the anitbiotic but he became upset when I applied the gel, vocalizing and displaying. Check out the pic...
Robert
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LizardMack
New member
That's awesome. That little guys a tough S.O.B. HA!HA
Pitbullgeckos
New member
This happens all the time, even in the wild so do not worry, no antibiotic needed. They have a hardcore hunting style but allso very good healing capability.
I´m more conserned about handling the animals with your hands,,,,,,never do that. This is the cause of lost tails and a balanced fimb would take a finger or two before it jumped away. Handel them in boxes or do not handle them at all.
I´m more conserned about handling the animals with your hands,,,,,,never do that. This is the cause of lost tails and a balanced fimb would take a finger or two before it jumped away. Handel them in boxes or do not handle them at all.