Wierd open wound on 10 year old Leopard gecko
- Thread starter guinessthegecko
- Start date
Nke
New member
I suppose the 95 year old man himself has no say in the matter? Its interesting that you assume you have any input into this hypothetical scenario, much less more of a say than the man himself.If you see a 95 year old man, with lung cancer, we can both agree its his time ..
As for spending money on a sick or injured pet, I prefer to err on the side of doing more. You might kick yourself for spending money, but you'll never feel bad about yourself as a person.
guinessthegecko
New member
thebluejackal
New member
I can tell you that most of the vets I know would do their best to save the dog in spite of its age. Been in animal rescue a long time. You'd be amazed at the animals people have gone out of their way to raise money for and save, even if they're seniors.
Not going to a vet when an animal needs some sort of medical care, in spite of its age, is nothing short of neglect which is a chargeable offense nothing short of animal cruelty, at least in the United States. I don't know what the laws are like in Denmark, but in many states here, that means fines and jail time.
Reptiles are not like cars or televisions. You don't just throw out the old one because it's old. They are living creatures and if you can't respect that, you need to find a new "hobby" that doesn't deal with something that's alive.
Nativeson
New member
To the OP - keeping in mind that I am not a vet, just a guy who has kept and bred reptile "pets" for a long time, here are my thoughts. From the look of the pic, the wound appears fairly superficial. The gecko has a nice plump tail and you stated earlier he is eating. So without breaking the bank you can...keep him and especially the wound as sterile as possible. I wouldn't use any petroleum topical products, there are things to use that are inexpensive, PM me if you want to know......also keep the cage and furniture as sterile as possible. Monitor him daily and if you have some good luck you should start seeing signs of healing soon. If you don't see that or it gets worse your only option, if you want the animal to get well, will be a vet. Lots of vets give payment options. Times are tough for us all, but with a Leo with the proud name of Guinness....you have to do what you can
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Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
For The Sake Of Revenge
New member
Graham_s
Super Moderator
The OP is asking for help with their gecko, not a debate about how much everybody thinks should be spent on keeping animals alive.
If you want to discuss it, there is a dedicated section of the forum for exactly that sort of discussion so please take it there.
Please can we keep this thread ON TOPIC from now on.
If you want to discuss it, there is a dedicated section of the forum for exactly that sort of discussion so please take it there.
Please can we keep this thread ON TOPIC from now on.
Yoshi'smom
New member
How is your gecko today? How does the wound look? Any ideas how it may have happened? You use the heat lamp outside of the tank, correct? Any sharp things he may have accidentally injured himself on when trying to shed? Any updates?
Hi. I agree with the other suggestions that a visit to a veterinarian is the best case scenario, but understand that that isn't possible. If your gecko is 10 years old, you've obviously done a good job caring for him for a long time.
Without a diagnosis, a good strategy is to keep the area as clean as possible and see if Guinness can heal on his own. You can do this using a very weak betadine solution (not betadine scrub). This is an inexpensive, iodine-based, anti-microbial solution that is available over-the-counter at most pharmacies in the U.S., and probably Canada too. Make a weak solution by adding a few drops to warm (not hot) tap water - your solution should be the color of a weak tea. Once daily put your gecko in a clean plastic container with a small amount of warm and fresh betadine solution to soak for 10 minutes. You may need to repeatedly and gently pour solution over the affected area using a syringe or turkey baster. Make sure he can/is keeping his head above the betadine, though it's okay if he gets small amounts in his mouth or eyes. Once finished, gently rinse off the betadine using warm tap water either directly from the faucet (if he tolerates it) or again in the bath, doing your best to minimize his stress.
You've probably done this already, but I agree with the previous suggestions to thoroughly clean his cage and furniture using a 5-10% bleach solution, followed by a good rinse and air dry. Use a paper towel substrate and replace as soon as it's soiled.
With the daily betadine soaks, you'll be able to monitor whether the mystery wound is getting better, worse, or staying the same. Here's hoping he gets better.
Bryan
P.S. Sorry to follow the tangent of some of the previous comments, but I have to say it… Age is not a disease.
Without a diagnosis, a good strategy is to keep the area as clean as possible and see if Guinness can heal on his own. You can do this using a very weak betadine solution (not betadine scrub). This is an inexpensive, iodine-based, anti-microbial solution that is available over-the-counter at most pharmacies in the U.S., and probably Canada too. Make a weak solution by adding a few drops to warm (not hot) tap water - your solution should be the color of a weak tea. Once daily put your gecko in a clean plastic container with a small amount of warm and fresh betadine solution to soak for 10 minutes. You may need to repeatedly and gently pour solution over the affected area using a syringe or turkey baster. Make sure he can/is keeping his head above the betadine, though it's okay if he gets small amounts in his mouth or eyes. Once finished, gently rinse off the betadine using warm tap water either directly from the faucet (if he tolerates it) or again in the bath, doing your best to minimize his stress.
You've probably done this already, but I agree with the previous suggestions to thoroughly clean his cage and furniture using a 5-10% bleach solution, followed by a good rinse and air dry. Use a paper towel substrate and replace as soon as it's soiled.
With the daily betadine soaks, you'll be able to monitor whether the mystery wound is getting better, worse, or staying the same. Here's hoping he gets better.
Bryan
P.S. Sorry to follow the tangent of some of the previous comments, but I have to say it… Age is not a disease.
guinessthegecko
New member
Not much of an update to report. the wound is still there, its not bleeding, and he doesnt seem to affected by it. I will definitely look into the betadine. I do have a quick question tho. When we took him to the vet they gave us "Antirobe Aquadrops" Medicinal ingredient is clindamycine hydrochloride. The box has recommendations for dogs and cats. Is my Vet crazy or is this okay to give him again? (tho he hates it, it did seem to help with the eye and the hemipene issue before)
For the record, in case it hasnt been said yet. I'm going to do what I can to give the guy another solid 10 years. Before I came into the picture, G had gotten loose and lost. My SO thought he was gone forever, till he found him chilling behind the fridge or a rad or something (cant remember the exact location) after 6 MONTHS. Hes a Survivor and a fighter!
For the record, in case it hasnt been said yet. I'm going to do what I can to give the guy another solid 10 years. Before I came into the picture, G had gotten loose and lost. My SO thought he was gone forever, till he found him chilling behind the fridge or a rad or something (cant remember the exact location) after 6 MONTHS. Hes a Survivor and a fighter!
Hi again,
Pretty much any drug that a veterinarian prescribes for a reptile will be "off-label," like your clindamycin for dogs and cats. That's because it costs the drug manufacturer time and money to get those statements verified by the FDA. So no, your vet isn't crazy. Anyways... Clindamycin, like any antibiotic, is effective against certain kinds of bacteria (you might have heard the term "broad spectrum" - that means the antibiotic is effective against many kinds of bacteria). The only way to know for certain whether an antibiotic will be effective is do a culture and sensitivity, which is what it sounds like - a lab will culture any bacteria and test whether that bacteria is susceptible to a variety of antibiotics. Lacking that, a veterinarian can make a best guess based on her patient's history and presentation.
I couldn't tell if you were interested in trying the Clindamycin with Guinness, but I had a few thoughts. First, this is a liquid medication? Most of these have a very short shelf life once they're reconstituted from a powder form, and you should be able to read this information somewhere on the box or insert, if you still have it. Second, we don't know whether Guinness has a bacterial infection, and if so, whether Clindamycin would be effective against it. Third, it sounded like Guinness reacted pretty strongly against it before, so it'd cause stress. Fourth, all that aside, it may not hurt, there's no way of knowing in a forum like this.
Hope some of that helps.
Bryan
Pretty much any drug that a veterinarian prescribes for a reptile will be "off-label," like your clindamycin for dogs and cats. That's because it costs the drug manufacturer time and money to get those statements verified by the FDA. So no, your vet isn't crazy. Anyways... Clindamycin, like any antibiotic, is effective against certain kinds of bacteria (you might have heard the term "broad spectrum" - that means the antibiotic is effective against many kinds of bacteria). The only way to know for certain whether an antibiotic will be effective is do a culture and sensitivity, which is what it sounds like - a lab will culture any bacteria and test whether that bacteria is susceptible to a variety of antibiotics. Lacking that, a veterinarian can make a best guess based on her patient's history and presentation.
I couldn't tell if you were interested in trying the Clindamycin with Guinness, but I had a few thoughts. First, this is a liquid medication? Most of these have a very short shelf life once they're reconstituted from a powder form, and you should be able to read this information somewhere on the box or insert, if you still have it. Second, we don't know whether Guinness has a bacterial infection, and if so, whether Clindamycin would be effective against it. Third, it sounded like Guinness reacted pretty strongly against it before, so it'd cause stress. Fourth, all that aside, it may not hurt, there's no way of knowing in a forum like this.
Hope some of that helps.
Bryan
guinessthegecko
New member
Dually noted. Lots of great info here and I will keep you all posted to the lil guys health! Thanks everybody
Yoshi'smom
New member
Yeah, the medicine shouldn't be a problem as long as it's dosed correctly for the weight of the animal. With most antibiotics they work well in a good number of animals (unless the microbe affecting the animal has become immune to it). As long as you're following the vet's recommendations with the medicine (refridgeration/dosage).
I also agree here with Bryan. Meds can "go bad" after a time and will not be effective. I would call your vet and describe everything over the phone and ask if these meds may work and how long they would be "good" for. Like I said in an earlier post, most vets will talk to you over the phone about an animal they have already seen.
Good luck and definitely keep us updated!
I also agree here with Bryan. Meds can "go bad" after a time and will not be effective. I would call your vet and describe everything over the phone and ask if these meds may work and how long they would be "good" for. Like I said in an earlier post, most vets will talk to you over the phone about an animal they have already seen.
Good luck and definitely keep us updated!
guinessthegecko
New member
Hey Everybody! Its been about a week or so so heres an update! Pic was taken about 5 minutes ago
http://i.imgur.com/7Pdac.jpg
Also want to add, he recently shed so I think it help with the process.
http://i.imgur.com/7Pdac.jpg
Also want to add, he recently shed so I think it help with the process.
Last edited:
Yoshi'smom
New member
Glad to see that he's doing well! I would definitely call that improvement! Applause to you both!
thebluejackal
New member
That is looking so much better!
nigthelizard
New member
guinessthegecko
New member
Hey all! Just wanted to add another update. Hes just had his second shed, since we noticed the scar on the tail (Question about that in a moment) One definite improvement is that he is again eating his skin after his shed! for a while there, he would only eat smal bits of it, but the last two hes not left any behind! (I jumped the gun on posting and didnt take a pic yet but I will)
Shedding question. G seems to shed at least once every other month, sometimes every month! Is this normal? I thought there was a longer time between sheds before but dont remember for sure.
Thanks! Stay tuned for the next update pic
Shedding question. G seems to shed at least once every other month, sometimes every month! Is this normal? I thought there was a longer time between sheds before but dont remember for sure.
Thanks! Stay tuned for the next update pic