No feet, a little rescue of mine.

[Allee Toler]

Edit*** She's doing better. Read my post below if you're interested.
--------------------------------

Sadly, I'll be putting "Sky Dancer", named by a friend of mine, to sleep here soon... She eats. She sleeps. She drinks. She's active. But she was housed on Calcium sand and has not poop for me. I've had her about two weeks. In those two weeks she's eaten silkworms and butterworms every other night. By now she should of poo'd a few times. Her tummy is solid, but she doesn't appear to be in pain. I've done all I can do to try and improve her impaction, but she went years without veterinary care. I was told she hasn't pooped in over three months, so the owner stopped feeding her. The owner also didn't give her a humid hide, so "Sky Dancer" is missing her back feet and every nail on her front toes.

I'm still hoping she pulls through. She essentially has a week- per Megan's, my friend who found her, request.

Here's a video of her. This is why I'm getting away from geckos. This is why I don't post much anymore. This is why I sold my incubator. This is why I'm going from many geckos to just six, if even. I'm tired of the animal abuse and neglect. This market is flooded. Who am I to create a life, not knowing their fate?

YouTube - rescue1

 

[lawlren]

That's tragic, I'm so sorry. ): I hope she pulls through! At least she got some love /:

 

[thehotchik1000]

Oh my god that's awful. I've never seen one so bad from lack of humidity. Oh that's sad. What the heck did these people think when her foot fell off?? Oops? Sorry bout that no vet for you. They are disgusting people. I go through a huge screening process when I sell any one of my babies. I make sure they know what they are doing. And I check in regularly.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Allee ~

I know there has to be a bottomline. What have you tried to help her pass the impaction? Have you tried placing catlax on her lips, feeding just a soft food, and soaking for 10-15 minutes 1-2x daily. Then there are drops of mineral oil to the lips.

I know you have heard this.

The fingernails can grow back.

So sorry to see this gecko in this condition. Thanks for sharing though.

 

[Allee Toler]

I fed her only soft bodied feeders. I tried mineral oil. Tummy rubs. Warm soaks 3-6x a day. Laxatone (kitty laxative), and numerous other things recommended by my vet.

After I gave up (posting this) I walked over to her tank this morning to see THREE huge poo's. Two are solid blue sand, the other is half sand half greyish brown (silkworm I presume). It amazes me that this always happens. As soon as you give up on them they prove you wrong.

"Sky Dancer" will make it. She's gained weight since I got her and her tail has been growing back. She gets around fine with her back legs the way she is and she's actually pretty quick. I had to chase her across the room as she darted under the couch.

I would of updated sooner but I've been cooking and cleaning all day for company. Yay Sky Dancer! She even has a home to go to once she's gained good weight back!

 

[Allee Toler]

Oh my god that's awful. I've never seen one so bad from lack of humidity. Oh that's sad. What the heck did these people think when her foot fell off?? Oops? Sorry bout that no vet for you. They are disgusting people. I go through a huge screening process when I sell any one of my babies. I make sure they know what they are doing. And I check in regularly.

I did the same thing selling babies the last couple years, and still two of my geckos were neglected, one sent back to me skin and bones, then passed away later that month. I've noticed that as the babies hatch I get pretty protective over them since Bennett was returned and died from Coccidia. She knew he had it, but didn't do anything about it for months. I took him to my vet and tried... but seeing him pass I guess scarred me, because every time I go to hand a gecko over I ask millions of questions and even then I'm still uncomfortable handing the gecko over. No matter what you cannot guarantee the 20-30 years they live will be in good hands. The geckos I have I'm rehoming or selling to close friends in the community.

I'll continue to rescue. Help those who can't help themselves. I've done it with cats since I was a little girl (volunteer work, that is), and I'll continue to do it for the cold blooded.

 

[Glove]

Allee, never give up till the lady is done singin!
Awsome, great, congrats, and wew!
Glad that one made it to ya when it did.

I know theres an uncared for animal in every town accross the world, sad to say but true...always awsome to hear about the stories of the ones that do get a 2nd chance and pull through.

It takes a special kind of person because its not always a success story, good job on
this one!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I fed her only soft bodied feeders. I tried mineral oil. Tummy rubs. Warm soaks 3-6x a day. Laxatone (kitty laxative), and numerous other things recommended by my vet.

After I gave up (posting this) I walked over to her tank this morning to see THREE huge poo's. Two are solid blue sand, the other is half sand half greyish brown (silkworm I presume). It amazes me that this always happens. As soon as you give up on them they prove you wrong.

"Sky Dancer" will make it. She's gained weight since I got her and her tail has been growing back. She gets around fine with her back legs the way she is and she's actually pretty quick. I had to chase her across the room as she darted under the couch.

I would of updated sooner but I've been cooking and cleaning all day for company. Yay Sky Dancer! She even has a home to go to once she's gained good weight back!

:banana: Sky Dancer, :cheer: Allee! If anyone could rescue Sky Dancer, you could!!!

Just curious. How long was she with you for the mineral oil, et cetera, before she passed those poops?

Hope that you feel really good about your success.

 

[Allee Toler]

:banana: Sky Dancer, :cheer: Allee! If anyone could rescue Sky Dancer, you could!!!

Just curious. How long was she with you for the mineral oil, et cetera, before she passed those poops?

Hope that you feel really good about your success.

I did it once a day for four days. Just a tiny bit. I did the mineral oil paired with warm soaks and tummy rubs while soaking in the water. I also upped 1/4 of her tank to 97F (20 long), and placed 4 hides in each quarter for her to choose her temps. I tried the kitty lax three days ago, just once. She didn't like it at all, so I didn't want to force something stressful. It's too thick for her to just lick off her nose.

Soft bodied feeders are also important. Hard shelled feeders, even crickets and roaches, can make the impaction worse. Any food, really, can make it worse. She was hungry and really skinny so I had to feed her something especially since she doesn't have a tail right now to live off of. Silkworms and butterworms were the soft feeders she accepted. Refused phoenix and wax. I'm just glad she passed the sand.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

These cheers are for you, Allee: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

Many thanks for the details on your remediation of Sky Dancer's longterm impaction.

Geckos are fortunate to have a guardian angel like you.

 

[Allee Toler]

Well her back right foot must of been irritating her. I woke up this morning seeing her lick it constantly, with trails of blood everywhere. I'm going to have to talk to the vet about some kind of "booties" for her ankle joints. They're not made to be walked on or dragged around.

 

[thehotchik1000]

Allee yay three cheers for you and sky! I too have gotten a couple babies back sickly there were sent to a Petstore though. It was heart breaking and that's when I realized I wouldn't be selling to petstores anymore. Since them I have sold almost 100 babies of different kinds to many kinds of people. Some experienced some not but very willing to learn. I do do regular check ins with the inexperienced. And that seems to help. I try to not let anyone fall through the cracks. One thing I've noticed is the folks that take notes and ask questions are the ones who care. It's actually a big red flag to me if they don't. I prefer to sell my kiddos to breeders, and long time hobbyists but I've sold to many Many families that treat their animals like part of the family. And I truely love seeing the impact a new family member makes. Don't give up there are great families out there for every single animal! If I am not comfortable with them leaving it's not. Point blank.
Possibly for sky's back legs you could try a bit of gauze with like a medical tape cast. The tape shouldn't be on her skin at all and perhaps they would stay on like little booties. It's going to be interesting to try and fasten something on her to prevent dragging. Maybe a tiny little wheelchair.  sad but I'm trying to lighten the mood a little. Anyways you've done an amazing job! She couldn't have a better owner. Congrats!

 

[Allee Toler]

I have sports tape, that self adhesive. My only concern is lack of oxygen to the skin. I'm trying to find breathable materials to use for her. I may end up cutting up one of my "breathable" material socks haha. Then sewing together and little bootie for her. Because she doesn't have the feet her tail drags, too. Since it's a regenerated tail it's looking a little raw underneath. Me and Megan (her new owner) have been thinking of ways to make her booty drag a little less drag.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I have sports tape, that self adhesive. My only concern is lack of oxygen to the skin. I'm trying to find breathable materials to use for her. I may end up cutting up one of my "breathable" material socks haha. Then sewing together and little bootie for her. Because she doesn't have the feet her tail drags, too. Since it's a regenerated tail it's looking a little raw underneath. Me and Megan (her new owner) have been thinking of ways to make her booty drag a little less drag.

Have you considered using fleece to make her booties? Maybe some fleece has some spandex in it? You've probably seen those rolling attachments for dogs who've had strokes and can no longer use their back legs.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Another bootie idea: What about using a soft foam...that would breathe...provide padding and could add some elevation...and you could carve out little tunnels for her legs?

 

[Jasonp85]

Awesome job allee idk wat to do for the feet and tail still verry sad but from wat ive read sky is in great hand and her owners will figure out something for her good luck and best of wishes to the three of you

 

[Allee Toler]

Another bootie idea: What about using a soft foam...that would breathe...provide padding and could add some elevation...and you could carve out little tunnels for her legs?

That's a good idea. I just want to make sure whatever I use breathes, and she can adapt to having on booties.

 

[Jasonp85]

Make sure wat ever yoy make it out of is non toxic and digestable im sure she will eat a few of them

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Any success with Sky Dancer's booties?

 

[Allee Toler]

Nothing yet that stays on.