HELP!! Repeated Self harm
- Thread starter Odinsmom
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UPDATE:
Odin has increased his biting to random times and not just after a shed.
I decided to bite the bullet and go to another vet
Because of his cough and constant lethargy, and now refusal to eat yesterday or today... I waited an hour and a half for the doctor, (I got skipped by a
Dying cat) and paid $75 Just to be told that Odin has a behavioral issue that can not be fixed.
I was told even If I inject him with antibiotics to fix is probably infection that is now more than likely spread to his lungs etc..I will end up the same predicament in a week or two because the vet cannot stop Odin from bitting himself.
He also refused to take the tail off because he does not believe it will fix his mental issue and he will tear at the suture or find somewhere else to bite..
He said this is an end of life predicament and there is nothing else to do but keep using the cream on his tail and let the end of his life come natural ...or euthanize.
I’m so lost...
Do I take him to a fourth vet... or is this really it?
Odin has increased his biting to random times and not just after a shed.
I decided to bite the bullet and go to another vet
Because of his cough and constant lethargy, and now refusal to eat yesterday or today... I waited an hour and a half for the doctor, (I got skipped by a
Dying cat) and paid $75 Just to be told that Odin has a behavioral issue that can not be fixed.
I was told even If I inject him with antibiotics to fix is probably infection that is now more than likely spread to his lungs etc..I will end up the same predicament in a week or two because the vet cannot stop Odin from bitting himself.
He also refused to take the tail off because he does not believe it will fix his mental issue and he will tear at the suture or find somewhere else to bite..
He said this is an end of life predicament and there is nothing else to do but keep using the cream on his tail and let the end of his life come natural ...or euthanize.
I’m so lost...
Do I take him to a fourth vet... or is this really it?
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
I'm so sorry to hear your report.
I have a gecko (an Oedura castelnaui -- northern velvet gecko) who also shows "biting behavior". Several months ago his tail tip became brittle -- so I just snipped it off. The new tail growth progressed exceptionally well (NO biting anywhere) until one day after a shed more skin stuck. Now I'm increasing the frequency of SSD 1%. I believe his humidity has been too erratic.
My gecko weighs maybe 18 grams.
PS:
I just placed an Amazon order for 2 medium terra cotta OMEM humidification hides.
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I’m sad to inform that I put Odin down yesterday afternoon.
I got another second (third?) opinion and the vet said he could have something wrong with his brain, cancer, or a tumor that is appearing as a “wound”.
Because of his “cough,” she explained that his infection more than likely was systemic and treating it would be a long and complicated process; thus suggesting euthanasia.
She said I did everything I could.
....honestly I can’t help feeling like is my fault.
Like..He was a big gecko (115g) and maybe my 29 gallon long tank was too small?
It didn’t really allow for large size hides as all of my hides were medium. Though he never seemed uncomfortable And if the sizes were a problem I would have thought a problem would have showed three years ago... not now??
Should I be safe & Maybe i should dump this tank and get a 49 gallon long??????
OR maybe it was because I left the cage unclean for an extra two weeks which resulted in the first time the infection/wound problem showed up???
Idk if it was because of me or not but please Tell me your thoughts!
I never want this to happen again..
I got another second (third?) opinion and the vet said he could have something wrong with his brain, cancer, or a tumor that is appearing as a “wound”.
Because of his “cough,” she explained that his infection more than likely was systemic and treating it would be a long and complicated process; thus suggesting euthanasia.
She said I did everything I could.
....honestly I can’t help feeling like is my fault.
Like..He was a big gecko (115g) and maybe my 29 gallon long tank was too small?
It didn’t really allow for large size hides as all of my hides were medium. Though he never seemed uncomfortable And if the sizes were a problem I would have thought a problem would have showed three years ago... not now??
Should I be safe & Maybe i should dump this tank and get a 49 gallon long??????
OR maybe it was because I left the cage unclean for an extra two weeks which resulted in the first time the infection/wound problem showed up???
Idk if it was because of me or not but please Tell me your thoughts!
I never want this to happen again..
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I think you had a gecko that had medical problems. I really don't feel that the size of the enclosure or missing a little cleaning had anything to do with it. One of the hardest things about keeping pets (not to mention having children!) is dealing with situations that are outside of our control not to mention our expectations. I think you tried really hard with him and you did everything you could. I'm really sorry for your loss.
Aliza
Aliza
SpottedDragon
Member
I agree with Aliza, you took him to several vets when many reptile keepers bulk at the price for ONE exam. Whether the infection was preventable through husbandry in the first place isn't something you should dwell on - you'll never know for sure and its better to know that you went above and beyond what most people do. I speak from lots of experience, I've been a vet tech for 15 years - it is clear that you cared for him. Take comfort in the fact that you cared for him from the start and gave him the best you could, that is what really counts.
It it was cancer / infection that spread to his lungs causing the cough, then you 100% made the right choice to humanely euthanize and saved him days to weeks of suffering.
Once something like that gets into the chest, even in mammals there is little we can do, and often the lungs slowly either fill with fluid or harden to the point of not absorbing oxygen, and the animal slowly suffocates.
It it was cancer / infection that spread to his lungs causing the cough, then you 100% made the right choice to humanely euthanize and saved him days to weeks of suffering.
Once something like that gets into the chest, even in mammals there is little we can do, and often the lungs slowly either fill with fluid or harden to the point of not absorbing oxygen, and the animal slowly suffocates.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
I'm so sorry to hear your report.
I have a gecko (an Oedura castelnaui -- northern velvet gecko) who also shows "biting behavior". Several months ago his tail tip became brittle -- so I just snipped it off. The new tail growth progressed exceptionally well (NO biting anywhere) until one day after a shed more skin stuck. Now I'm increasing the frequency of SSD 1%. I believe his humidity has been too erratic.
My gecko weighs maybe 18 grams.
PS:
I just placed an Amazon order for 2 medium terra cotta OMEM humidification hides.
I'm very sorry your leo Odin needed to be put down. May he rest in paradise. You did more than many a gecko mom would do in his circumstances.
If you get a new enclosure, an Exo Terra 36 x 18 x 12 inches tall would be ideal.
According to your recent messages Odin weighed 115 grams. My small gecko = ~18 grams. My gecko's similarity to Odin is random biting behavior on his tail that's gone on for several years. He still has a good appetite. Finally in Spring 2020 I got some SSD 1% from the vet's. Now I'm applying it generously on 2 tail wounds about every other day.
On the 10 September 2020 I placed a medium terra cotta OMEM humid hide in his enclosure right next to his warm dry coconut hide. I wasn't certain what to expect. Well, this gecko usually sandwiches himself right between his super humid hide and the glass. When I check him out he usually appears "moist". That may not be desirable, and could perhaps make this gecko susceptible to a respiratory tract infection, but so far so good. During some days he hangs out underneath his basking bulb, so maybe moisture and dryness balance out? He could also retreat to his warm dry coconut hide if drier is better.
Both tail sores seem to be improving.
I hope to update this thread from time to time for anyone who stops by. Perhaps I'll begin this gecko's own thread entitled something like Persistent Gecko Biting Behavior -- Problematic Tail Sheds.
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Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
The other hide that claims similar humidity is all black plastic on the outside. There is a preforated plastic shelf that holds the "magic" plastic basin. I haven't figured out the volume of the new basin yet. It's shallow as compared with the deep OMEM basin.I'm very sorry your leo Odin needed to be put down. May he rest in paradise. You did more than many a gecko mom would do in his circumstances.
If you get a new enclosure, an Exo Terra 36 x 18 x 12 inches tall would be ideal.
According to your recent messages Odin weighed 115 grams. My small gecko = ~18 grams. My gecko's similarity to Odin is random biting behavior on his tail that's gone on for several years. He still has a good appetite. Finally in Spring 2020 I got some SSD 1% from the vet's. Now I'm applying it generously on 2 tail wounds about every other day.
On the 10 September 2020 I placed a medium terra cotta OMEM humid hide in his enclosure right next to his warm dry coconut hide. I wasn't certain what to expect. Well, this gecko usually sandwiches himself right between his super humid hide and the glass. When I check him out he usually appears "moist". That may not be desirable, and could perhaps make this gecko susceptible to a respiratory tract infection, but so far so good. During some days he hangs out underneath his basking bulb, so maybe moisture and dryness balance out? He could also retreat to his warm dry coconut hide if drier is better.
Both tail sores seem to be improving.
I hope to update this thread from time to time for anyone who stops by. Perhaps I'll begin this gecko's own thread entitled something like Persistent Gecko Biting Behavior -- Problematic Tail Sheds.
Customer reviews of the black plastic hide seem favorable. I doubt whether this black plastic "humid" hide with a "super" plastic tray can work similarly.
29 Sept 2020 -- Shed #1 after adding the medium OMEM humid hide in early September
Complete shed! :banana: Both tail wounds and the regenerating tail are healing! There has been NO additional biting behavior at this time.
I've been applying SSD 1% creme more generously than in the past. During the days this ~18 gram Oedura castelnaui hangs out on top of his cork bark and underneath fake ivy leaves soaking up rays from the incandescent bulb overhead. All night long he sandwiches himself between the glass and one side of his OMEM terra cotta hide. The beaded moisture on the sides of his OMEM hide produces a consistent humidity. That promotes healing of both wounds and keeps him from creating new bite wounds.
I've been applying SSD 1% creme more generously than in the past. During the days this ~18 gram Oedura castelnaui hangs out on top of his cork bark and underneath fake ivy leaves soaking up rays from the incandescent bulb overhead. All night long he sandwiches himself between the glass and one side of his OMEM terra cotta hide. The beaded moisture on the sides of his OMEM hide produces a consistent humidity. That promotes healing of both wounds and keeps him from creating new bite wounds.
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Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Hi Odinsmom ~
30 October 2020 -- Shed #2 after adding the medium OMEM humid hide in early September
30 October 2020 -- Shed #2 after adding the medium OMEM humid hide in early September
Another 100% shed! :banana: Both tail wounds and the regenerating tail continue to heal! There has been NO additional biting behavior.
Should 100% sheds continue a 3rd time I'll be sold that shedding requires consistent humidity, not on again, off again, humidity.
I've continued SSD 1% creme more generously than in the past. During the days this ~18 gram Oedura castelnaui hangs out on top of his cork bark and underneath fake ivy leaves soaking up rays from the incandescent bulb. All night long he sandwiches himself between the glass and one side of his OMEM terra cotta hide. The beaded moisture on the sides of his OMEM hide produces a consistent humidity. That promotes healing of both wounds and keeps him from creating new bite wounds.
Should 100% sheds continue a 3rd time I'll be sold that shedding requires consistent humidity, not on again, off again, humidity.
I've continued SSD 1% creme more generously than in the past. During the days this ~18 gram Oedura castelnaui hangs out on top of his cork bark and underneath fake ivy leaves soaking up rays from the incandescent bulb. All night long he sandwiches himself between the glass and one side of his OMEM terra cotta hide. The beaded moisture on the sides of his OMEM hide produces a consistent humidity. That promotes healing of both wounds and keeps him from creating new bite wounds.
There's no need to keep 'updating' this thread. It had a very unhappy ending, posting more will revive it, and keep reminding Odinsmom of her loss.
If you want to post helpful info, put it in the care sheet, or make a separate thread, without reactivating this one.
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