Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know it's a long post, but its just copied from the email I sent Travis and it's about as informative as I could make it. I'd REALLY appreciate everyone's help with this. I'm worried sick, and if anyone has any previous experience with amputee cresties I'd really like to know about it! THANK YOU ALL!!!!!

I had bought an unsexed juvenile crested from a breeder (Travis Cosette of Gainesville) back at the Tampa F.I.R.E.
show in March. It was eating beautifully and had recently completed its
second shed, when the worst happened.
This is the story, as of Tuesday (May 18) night:
One of the cats (with no previous interest in *any* of my other critters)
managed to pull the screen off the lid - the baby escaped, and became a
cat's toy for the night. I was home, but I slept through all of this! It
wasn't until the next morning as I was getting ready for work that I found
the cat still 'playing' with the gecko.
It's not dead, but it's pretty banged up. Its tail is chewed off (not
dropped - there is an exposed vertebra) and there are several 'minor'
lacerations, and it looks like a blood vessel has broken in its left eye.
The worst injury by far, though, is its right hind leg - it has basically
been stripped of skin and the outer layers of muscle. The skin around the
foot is loose and baggy. But it is ALIVE still, eighteen hours later.
As soon as I found it, I rushed up to the vet - It was very unforturnate to
see that she knew nothing (by her own admission) about Rhacodactylus sps,
and she repeatedly stated that "they're just like other geckos." Her
immediate suggestion was euthanization.
Euthanization is not yet an option. I *like* this little kid. He's got at
least another seven years on him. The vet *is* open to the option of
amptuation, and she beefed the juvie up with a small injection of
electrolytes and another of Baytril, as well as covered his wounds in
triple-antibiotic ointment. If I decide to amputate the mangled limb and
the exposed vertebrae, it would be first thing tomorrow morning.
I would like your advice on this, please. Should I put him through the
rigors of another vet trip and intensive surgury? He still has minimal use
of the shredded limb, but the skin is still hanging. Should I tell her to
trim away the hanging flesh, and leave the limb, even though I doubt proper
skin will ever grow over it? How traumatic IS it for a gecko it have a
missing limb?
It's SVL is about 3.75-4 inches, and its weight (minus the tail and muscle)
is 5 grams. He's currently on 0.05 cc of Baytril once a day for ten days
(today is the second day). I am also vert curious about how to feed him
during rehabilitation - I had thought that I could water down baby food
(only a little) and add some calcium dust; this could either be offered in a
dish or syringe-fed. The
other possible option is to make a runny paste from the T-Rex MRP Crested Diet, and
offer *that.* I'm definitely not feeding live crickets now... BAD idea with the exposed flesh. I know he's hungry right now... it's been four days now
since he last ate (crickets on Sunday night. Monday was off, and he never
had a chance to go at his bananas Tuesday night).
Your help would be very greatly appreciated. I've got no doubt that he'll
live, but I'm worried sick about what would be the best thing. If
amputation will totally ruin its life, is there's no rehab for amputee
geckos, then I will euthanize.... but I have hopes that he could recover.
Thank you so much for your time and understanding. I hope to hear from you
very soon.

I am no vet nor have I ever owned a injured lizard ,So I can not begin to guess the effect his injuries might have.

Within all likelyhood he can be nursed back to some form of health .But here is my concern.The little guy has no way to let you know how much pain he may be in .Theres a possibility that he will be in horrible constant pain or as he grown older some sort of artritus similar too old injuries people suffer and you wont know.
I dont blame you for wanting to save him and perhaps thats the right thing to do. However be sure your doing it for him and not for you.. many people keep thier dogs and cats long past a age that the quality of life is there for them.
Pat

Yes, I have considered physical discomfort, and I know he's in a lot of pain right now. However, by tomorrow, with or without the amputation, he'll be on pain management. ((my little Ickus on pain meds... poor kid)) As for future pain, I have only the experiences of my friends to count, several of which are amputees or have extensive nerve damage (these people have been my argument against declawing cats). There is a real possibility of pain, but also the greater liklihood of maintaining a good quality of life.
My primary concern is for the quality of this guy's life. If he can continue (or, rather, can be rehabilitated back into) his happy gecko life, then I am more than willing to help save him. If there is a slim chance of any recovery, however, then he will be euthanized (sad as it makes me).

Cat bites tend to host loads of bacteria. I'm interested to hear how it turns out. Good luck with your little one.
Chris@geckospot.com
Link

What follows my own personal opinion only: If I could afford the vet care I would go ahead with the leg and tail amputation surgery. My rationale for doing so includes the following:
I would not leave the leg, because of the removal of muscle layers you describe. I imagine that your gecko will be in much less pain once the leg is removed.
I would give this gecko a chance to live, because he is obviously a fighter, having survived a night with one of nature's most efficient predators. I would go with what the gecko seems to be doing, and it seems to be trying to live.
I see no reason why your gecko will not be able to enjoy a good life with only three legs. The animal amputees I've known do just fine, including cats that climb trees easily with only three legs. He will not need rehab
As for rehab feeding, I would assume that he requires optimum nutrition help in his recovery. I would not water down his food (unless you feel he is dehydrated or not drinking), but would feed the crested gecko diet immediately after mixing (before it turns to gel). That way he will still get full nutrition but in liquid form. Best of luck whatever you decide and keep us posted. Geckos have an amazing capacity to heal from injury. If this is too late, or if you decide to euthanize him, I know you did what you felt was best for your gecko and he is at peace.

The little trooper (I sound like my dad!) made it through the night just dandy, and he accepted some of the MRP both through a syringe and simply offered - he didn't eat much, but even a little appetite is a huge sign of improvement. After talking with the breeder, who conferred with several of his breeder friends, I decided NOT to amputate. There is some minimal use of the leg and, as I've seen some fantastic reptile recoveries, I've got hopes that he'll bounce back. He'll be permanently scarred and not quite a pretty as he was, but I have hopes that he'll recoup nicely. Travis also offered hope - he had a similar experience (a crestie mauled by a cat), and his gecko rebounded and is living happily.
It's also a sad thing to see so few herp vets... ANYWHERE. My exotic vet (who's helped me with rats, iguanas, and rabbits) has precious little knowledge on reptile medicine.... She equated Cresteds with ALL OTHER GECKOS (including leopards and tokays!) and that was immediately a huge warning sign - She immediately stated that he had severe MDB because of his "skinny legs and loose skin," nevermind that Cresties are SUPPOSED to look that way (and believe me, he's not skinny). She even went so far as to tell me he was stunted (because of his "big head"!!! GRR... but I won't continue to blast vets; JUST BE WARNED. I am grateful for the Baytril and electrolytes, but she can do little else to help me.
THANK YOU ALL for your concern and your help! I'll keep everyone posted, and let you know if the little guy survives this.

He really is a little trooper, and please keep us posted on his progress.