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I rescued a very undersized, sick, malnourished leopoard gecko from Petco because there was something about the dying little one that just stole my heart. After doses of antibiotics, wormer, daily warm baths and baby food feedings from a tiny syringe, "Pico" is now eating ravenously and growing like a weed!

Unfortunately, (s)he (I'm finally able to sex Pico and I believe he's actually a female) had lost several toes to bad sheds, aggressive other leos and cricket nibbling at PetHell. She has been shedding ONCE A WEEK (?!) to catch up on growth and despite luke warm foot soaks and regular misting, it looks like I can't do anything to prevent the loss of yet another little digit on her right front.

She's in a 10-gal. by herself. Yes, I have a humid/moist hide but she likes to hang out in her "half rock" hide. I've been gently using q-tips after 5-7 min. soaks in a combination of vitamin spray for herp skin and water.

She looks like she's in GREAT PAIN today. I don't want to pull her skin & hurt her (we're stronger than we think!) but she's not removing it herself -- presumably from the pain. Looks like she won't have many toes as an adult.

Can leos survive w/out their little toes? Any suggestions for a moist hide she'll use? I've never had this problem. I can't tell if them/the nails will grow back at all & knowing Petco's awful conditions, they may also be slightly deformed. Please Help!! She's such a sweet, alert Leo now -- probably one of the most handle-able at such a young age due to all the medicating, etc. Its breaking my heart to see Pico like this!

~Linz

you need to increase the humidity in the whole enclosure,
Take out the heat rock and use a heat pad instead, heat rocks are known to burn herps. I suggest you put a lid on your enclosure with a only a small opening so humdity can build up.
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My Site

Hi there,

Well, I have Leo's so I know the toe loss was do to prior mistreatment..and NO, GOD NO!!...I don't use heat rocks! Sorry if that was unclear!! I only ever use heat pads and Black/Red Herp lights (not the standard bulbs). The cage temp is at a high of daytime 88 deg. on the hot side and a night time low of 75 deg. on the cool side. The humid hide is on the warm side and the rock hide is on the cool.

My real question is: she looks to be in great pain, will she survive w/out her toes? She lost them before I saved her.

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!

She should be just fine without her toes. I have a few rescue's with missing digits.. they still have their palms and all, but no fingers. They do just fine.. they even climb their furniture. As for stuck sheds. I have always used Hydrogen Peroxide (as instructed by my vet). Soak her hands in it for a moment (or you can soak a cotton swab and dab it on her skin).. it does fizz sometimes, but does not seem to bother them. Wait another minute, and usually the skin peels right off with some tweezers. My first rescue came to me with one finger coming off just as you are describing.. there is probably nothing you can do to save it. But when it comes off with her shed, she may bleed.. dab a little neoporin on it and it should heal in no time. Good luck! Glad to hear she's thriving in your home!

Thank God! So there IS hope. Its just so hard to watch such a little one suffer. No bleeding and I think she'll be OK but its scaring me that she's suddenly less active -- I don't blame her, I'd be protective over my lil' feet if they were hurting like that too! So thank you for the info. on your rescues. If anyone else can provide input, please let me know what your opinions/experiences are. Thanks.

I've, fortunately, never had to rescue a Leo locally.. our PetCo takes pretty good care of the animals, but.. I wanted to tell you that I think that's a great thing that you're doing for the poor little girl. Alot of people say not to buy those kind of animals just because you feel sorry for them, but I think.. If you know what you'll be getting into, then there's nothing like a fight for someone's life. I'm just so happy to hear that she's been rescued by someone so dedicated. Good work and good luck. Take care!
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-Britney

2.4.1 Leopard Geckos: Ron, Raine, Dream, Tango, Go-Go, Johnneh and Salleh.
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon: Lil' Little.