Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just cleaning my tank, and set one of the rock dens down on my gecko's toe. He was squirming for a sec before I noticed. Now he's scared and hiding. I can see it swelling and turning red. I'm not sure if it's broken. (How do you tell?) It's not bent out of shape or bleeding, but he's trying not to walk on it. What should I do? I'm gonna try applying some cold towel to it. It's 12:30 in the morning, but I'm about to head out to the store to get some neosporin.
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Lovin' would be easy if your colors were like my dreams...

i actually have no clue what to do. maybe if you put REALLY COLD water on a paper towel (just enough to dampen it), and then introduse the leo to it (do not fource her to use it. just put the foot on it so she can see how it feels). that may help. if she is using it, you may need to keep rewetting this for a few hours. I WOULD NOT RECCOMEND PTTING ANYTHING ON IT. espically neosporin. i would just not reccomend touching it as even though the leo may not be hurt, it may be very scared. try what i said, and let me know how it works out... GOOD LUCK
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Thanks,
Matt
Owner of:
1.0.0 Brown (Bahaman) Anole
0.1.0 Green Anole
AND ON WEDNSDAY!!!!
0.1.0 leopard gecko!!! (tempature sexed)

I'm afraid of putting something on it because it's the front toe that's closest to his mouth. :/

I just saw him out and about walking on all his feet. The toe is slightly red. I'm using the cold towels now.

Gosh, I feel so bad.
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Lovin' would be easy if your colors were like my dreams...

Don't stress the animal out more then it already is. Do not use cold towels. Unless there is a break in the skin, bacterial infection is unlikely and Neosporin will do no good. Leos are hardy and I expect your little guy/girl will be better in no time.

Thanks
Justyn
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Justyn
Intense Herpetoculture

I agree with justyn. neosporin is no good unless there is a break in the skin. If I were you, I would rip a SUPER small piece of paper towel and damnpen it and TRY to wrap it around it, but if he is using it, then maybe just leave him alone! Stress is probably the worst thing for a reptile!
~Angela

I was trying to help relieve the pain. I just saw him inspecting the area of the tank where it happened, I guess to figure out what "attacked" him. I'm not going to bother him while he's hiding, but he didn't like the paper towel trick at all, so I stopped after a couple tries.
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Lovin' would be easy if your colors were like my dreams...

If the skin is broken, neosporin would be good. Otherwise, I don't think there is much you- or a vet could do, except amputate. Let the gecko hide, and watch for infection and swelling. Feed from a dish of mealies so the gecko doesn't need to move much to hunt. Make sure you keep the moist hide moist so shedding is easy. Hopefully the toe will heal or fall off. If you see swelling that worsens alot in a week or so I would worry that gangrene might be setting in and amputation could be neccessary. But hopefully that won't happen.