Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Of course I can imagine that your first answer would be to take it to the vet. But I currently do not think that it would be the easiest option. It's not really my gecko, but one I'm trying to save. It's in good health (except for the leg) and very active, though it does look like it may be in pain. The leg apears swollen and redish. At the elbow it apears to be... I don't really know how to put this... it looks like the body is trying to detach the leg. The gecko walks on it, but only to push it's self. It doesn't stay on the leg for too long. I soaked the leg in hydrogen peroxide to hopefully get rid of any thing, and attempted to gently remove some dead skin. I then made a makeshift bandaid to keep sand from getting into the leg.

I was wondering if this is infact a broken leg, or some other disease. I would also like to know if Leopard gecko's regrow other limbs besides just their tail. If any one could provide a safe and relativly easy (ex. I don't really wana amputate it's leg or anything ) method of healing I can give this gecko it will be greatly apriciated. Thanks for any help you may respond with.

-Psycho

It's great that you are trying to help this gecko. Due to the fact that it is in constant pain due to an obvious fracture & there is trauma affecting its vascular(circulatory) system--the best alternative is to have a vet determine the extent of the damage & correct the problem. FYI--hydrogen peroxide kills both bacteria & healthy tissue--the better anti-septic agent would be Betadine, Nolvasan or Hibiclens.

If the limb cannot be saved, then amputation would be the last option & geckos cannot re-grow limbs.

Hope that you are able to resolve the problem, soon.
Goodluck.

I actually had a leopard gecko with a broken leg due to MBD and I did take it to the vet. All the vet did was stablize the leg so that it could heal and the way he did that was to place a piece of tape (medical cloth tape)over the leg and made like a tab. I can actually send you a picture of the splint if you need. We had that on for a little while to allow to heal.
However the broken leg is one thing the question should be How did it break its leg, was it from an injury or disease. That would be the biggest concern b/c if it was an injury you need to change its surroundings so it does not hurt itself again. If it is disease you need to treat the disease so it does not break any more bones. For examply my little girl had severe MBD and not only did she have a broken leg she had multiple rib fractures. So if the gecko does have MBD you will need to give it calcium orrally.
please let me know how things go.
Christina
-----
1 Russian Tortoise (Willy)
1 Ornate Box Turtle (Lily)
1 Red Eared Slider (Chester)
2 White's Tree Frog (Kermit & Phil)
1 Red eyed Tree Frog (Justin)
2 Big Eyed Tree Frog
2 Bubbling Frog
2 Tiger Leg Tree Frogs (Akari & Shiro)
3 Amazonian Milky Tree Frogs
1 Dwarf Megophrys
1 Rainbow Burrowing Frog??
1 Praire Dog (Timmy)
2 Chinchillas (Layla & Snickers)
4 mice (Gabby and friends)
1 dog (Holly)
2 Cats (Champ & Bear)

Oh and a husband

Thanks for the advice. I'm pretty sure it's because of it's surrondings. I work at a petstore and I noticed it while cleaning the leopard gecko enclousure. I'll try to take a picture when I return to work tommorow. I imediatly seperated it from it's peers into an enclousure in the back. I feel I did make it more comfterable. I tried making a make-shift cast with a peice of a broken toothpick/cotton swab and wrapped it up with paper towels and sealed it with scotch tape. The problem with the vet is I have a bad feeling they won't try to take it to the vet. I would personally take it home and try to give it the proper medical attention but I have to check with my superiors. I'm also broke and waiting on a paycheck.

I didn't know that about Hydrogen Peroxide, thanks for the information. I thought it helped healthy tissue but I guess I was missguided.

Another thing that I'm extremly worried about is if there is a qualified vet in the area. I know I should have done this when I got my other exotic animals, but they all seemed healthy and I haven't noticed anything wrong, so I never bothered researching.

I just want to see if there is a way for him to heal, because I don't want to have to hear from my manager that they won't pay for the bills. He's perfectly healthy in every other aspect and putting him down would seem cruel. Atleast to me. Poor little stumpy is still just a juvinile.

This might seem kind of odd and humourus, but do they make prosthetic limbs for these kind of animals, or would that be too much to ask for. I have a strong feeling that this leg won't be healing right, it looks like the body is trying to sever it from the rest of the arm by healing aroun it.
-----
-Psycho

The situation doesn't sound very comfortable at all for the gecko. You should try to talk the owner(s) of the petshop into helping the gecko medically. If they are un-willing, then at least ask them if they could give the gecko to you. Many petshops tend to consider animals with problems as "defective merchandise".

The problem should be assessed by a vet or at the minimum an experienced herp-keeper for proper treatment. It sounds as though the more prolonged the gecko is in this condition, the worse it will get.

Goodluck with obtaining medical attention for this gecko.

Thanks for the advice. Sigh. There never is any easy way out is there. I've got all my best hopes ridding on stumpies full recovery.
-----
-Psycho