Leopard Gecko Ailing: Raising humidity and other fun adventures

[gizmo143]

Gizmo has had a hemipenal infection, where the vet removed the infection, and i gave him some ointment for a week. he made a full recovery and was doing great up until now.

today, i noticed he hasnt been climbing around as much, and took him out to check it out. i noticed both hemipenal bulges are large and swollen, and causing him a lot of discomfort. he is going to the vet either tomorrow or the next day.

i think low humidity has caused it though :? he has a humid hide, that looks like a rock and works well, but im afraid that isnt enough, because this is the second time it's happened... could you guys post pics of your tank layouts, for some improvment ideas?:idea:

 

[acpart]

I don't have pictures yet (just got a really wonderful new tank stack) but I'd be surprised if the problem is humidity, since it should be generally low for leopard geckos. What you may want to try if you and the vet agree that humidity is the issue, is to soak him periodically which would be a more direct treatment to the affected area.

Aliza

 

[gizmo143]

I used to soak him every once and a while, to get shed off his toes... he actually liked it I'll ask. humidity was the original issue causing his many eye infections (stuck shed started causing issues.) not sure about the hemipenal issue :? about two weeks ago, i cleaned everything thoroughly, so it shouldn't be bacteria, and i keep him on tile not sand.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

Keep in mind where this animal is from in nature. It is not an animal that wants extra humidity. If the condition is getting worse instead of better, you definitely need to go back to the vet and reevaluate the situation.

 

[gizmo143]

back from the vet... removed a ton of debris from his hemipenes and now he is sore but in much better health
has an oral antibiotic and pain meds for a few days... so happy he's gonna be ok
definitly trying to remodel his housing into something more interesting, like a custom made foam/grout background... should be an interesting project. if possible, i would still love to see some awesome leo setups

 

[Yoshi'smom]

Glad to hear that he went to the vet and is on the road to recovery!
Here is a picture of my custom foam and grout background for the 30gal long Leopard gecko tank. It was a ton of fun!

 

[gizmo143]

wow! that looks amazing! i want to do something like that in the near future. thats tile for flooring right? worried about gizmo big time, not seeming to get better even though its been almost a week since starting meds... it looks bad, its red and bloody and swollen and purple. taking him back to the vet and hoping for the best. he is my first and only leopard gecko, i remember getting him as a 1 month lil baby he should be turning 3 september 28th. im hoping for the best and worrying nonstop... anything i can do to ease discomfort, or anything to help soften things up? thanks guys

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

@ gizmo143 ~ Sorry to hear that your leo is not improving right now. Please keep GU posted regarding that.


@ Kelly ~ Nice job with your tank! Lucky leos! What are those black knob-like things on the front of the tank? I see 3.

 

[Yoshi'smom]

@ Elizbeth:
Those were 2 dial thermometers and a hygrometer. They have since been replaced with nice new digital ones!

@ Gizmo:
Sorry to hear your leo isn't getting any better. No other suggestion but to see the vet again. Keep us updated.

 

[gizmo143]

back to vets... again... different vet this time. she went right in, removed a ton of gunk, but doing so made his hemipenes red raw and bloody, looking worse, but feeling much better for him than they were with the infection in there. on carnivore care, which he hates eating through a syringe. along with pain meds and antibiotics, and now ointment and a daily warm soak. the vet said it wasn't husbandry issues, simply him being more prone for whatever reason for this kind of bacterial infection. there is some dead tissue that might come off, resulting in an almost prolapse, which could lead to surgery. either way, he is doing better. very frail, which is hard to see considering he used to be a hardy reckless fiesty lil bugger, but at least he is doing well and hasn't once given up on himself
so proud of him.
going back thursday for a check up and should be looking better.
thanks for all of your help and I'll keep you guys updated

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

back to vets... again... different vet this time. she went right in, removed a ton of gunk, but doing so made his hemipenes red raw and bloody, looking worse, but feeling much better for him than they were with the infection in there. on carnivore care, which he hates eating through a syringe. along with pain meds and antibiotics, and now ointment and a daily warm soak. the vet said it wasn't husbandry issues, simply him being more prone for whatever reason for this kind of bacterial infection. there is some dead tissue that might come off, resulting in an almost prolapse, which could lead to surgery. either way, he is doing better. very frail, which is hard to see considering he used to be a hardy reckless fiesty lil bugger, but at least he is doing well and hasn't once given up on himself
so proud of him.
going back thursday for a check up and should be looking better.
thanks for all of your help and I'll keep you guys updated

Meaghan ~

So sorry that Gizmo is struggling. Thanks very much for your update. I know that things are difficult for both you guys right now. Gizmo has really been a trooper :yahoo:.

Perhaps the syringe feedings are helping get the meds down? Is the dead tissue you mention the hemipenes?

I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for BOTH of you!

 

[gizmo143]

the dead tissue is not the actual hemipenes, i dont think, just the skin close to it, so when it does come off it might expose them and need surgery... he is doing well, enjoying the soaks as he always has. he sits with his head up and eyes closed like getting a spa treatment the syringe feeding is difficult, but not impossible, and we are hoping to get some more calories in him that way, since mealworms will be hard on him, and at this point he doesnt move out of whereever he's hiding unless you take him out. the vet said it will get worse before it gets better, which worries and relieves me. every 3 months or so we might take a trip to the vet and get him flushed out once this is all over, so that hopefully it wont reoccur. thanks for all the support

 

[Yoshi'smom]

Poor Gizmo! Sending him my love! Hope he gets better soon. Keeping my fingers crossed for your little one!

 

[gizmo143]

thanks so much I'll keep you guys updated daily

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hey Meaghan ~

I like the part where Gizmo is sitting and soaking with his head up and eyes closed like he is getting a spa treatment! Why your spa treatment indeed!

 

[gizmo143]

noticed today that some of his toes look... strange. kind of curved to the side, like not really broken but... i dont know. it could be from his last shed, which i had to pull off gently because he had no inclination of even trying to himself because he was in so much discomfort and pain. i gently pulled it off, and noticed yesterday, a few toes on multiple feet where curved and weird looking, and his front right leg is bent kind of underneath him, making him almost walk on his elbow. isn't red purple or swollen, so ill ask the vet tomorrow when i go in for a check up, but its just another thing to worry about. doesnt seem like it pains him, but i just want him as healthy and happy as possible. i feel like it could be my fault when i tried to help him shed, but if i didnt he wouldnt have taken the shed off, which could be worse than his toe issues... opinions and stories are more that welcome

 

[Yoshi'smom]

Bent arms or toes could be a sign of Metabolic Bone Disease. Are you gutloading & dusting your feeders or over dusting? It's recommended that prey be dusted 2x a week. Oversupplementing and undersupplementing can cause MBD... Let us know what the vet says.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Meaghan ~

Like Kelly says, this could be the beginning stages of MBD due to either under or over supplementation of supplements and vitamins. What have you been using, frequency? Is your calcium phosphorous-free? What do you feed your feeders?

If caught soon enough, MBD is reversible.

 

[gizmo143]

Gizmo passes away last night. he had just come back from his vet visit when i noticed his unwillingness to struggle while i held him (he usually has a bit of an attitude) i realized, event though i didnt really accept it, that this was his time. he seemed to go peacefully, in his sleep, and was in a relaxed position... the vet said the infection probably spread through the bloodstream, resulting in the gnarled toe effect. i miss him so much... he wasnt even three yet...

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Gizmo passes away last night. he had just come back from his vet visit when i noticed his unwillingness to struggle while i held him (he usually has a bit of an attitude) i realized, event though i didnt really accept it, that this was his time. he seemed to go peacefully, in his sleep, and was in a relaxed position... the vet said the infection probably spread through the bloodstream, resulting in the gnarled toe effect. i miss him so much... he wasnt even three yet...

Oh I'm so sorry to hear of Gizmo's passing, Meaghan. My memory of him will be sitting and soaking with his head up and eyes closed during his spa treatments. Hopefully he'll be OK when he joins the other geckos in heaven. My heartfelt sympathies to you and to Giz.