Tail loss caresheet

TAIL LOSS IN LEOPARD GECKOS


(Thanks to http://s3.hubimg.com/u/477338_f520.jpg)

Tail drop is also known as Caudal Autotomy; like most geckos, leopard geckos will drop their tail if they feel threatened or if it is "grabbed" or certain extent of force/impaction occurs to the tail (i.e. a common factor in tail dropping is accidently dropping an object on it). Geckos do this a defense mechanism this is what would happen in the wild if the gecko felt threatened by predator..

Following Autotomy (tail dropping) the original tail will "twitch" or "spasm" which would grab the attention of the predator while the gecko makes a quick escape to safety.


(Thanks to http://s3.hubimg.com/u/477338_f520.jpg)

The caudal vertebrae (tail) has connective tissue which have fracture points to allow the tail or section of the tail to break to autotomize effectively which is quickly followed by a process called vasconstriction; which is the process where the blood vessels around the tail are constricted to miminzie blood loss.


(Thanks to http://www.thegeckospot.net/images/tailloss.jpg)

Fortunately in Leopard Geckos, the tail will regenerated itself. But the downside to this is that the tail will not always asthetically pleasing because what replaces the tail is a bulbous unringed structure and is not supported by bony vertebrae like the orignal tail but will be supported by a cartilaginous rod.

Right lets talking about the factors that COULD cause tail drop:-

• Predator attacks (not so common in captivity, but other household pets such as cats and dogs could cause this)
  
• Intraspecies aggression (Male vs. male, fighting for food in hatchlings and young leos, bullying cagemates and in aggressive or pesistant in a male pestering a female)
  
• Stress and fear (this can be caused by improper husbandry or being housed with a larger reptile)
  
• Skin issues and retained skin on the tail
  
• Bacterial, Fungal or protozoan infections.
  
• Abscess or swelling on the tail.
  
• Incorrect handling
  
• Impaction from objects (like hides, water bowls etc)
  

The best thing to is to investigate the cause of the tail drops, and ensure that you make the necessary steps to prevent it from reoccuring as the Leopard gecko loses a high ammount of fat reserve and makes it vulnerable to stress and ill health.

What to do if a tail drop occurs

The gecko should be removed from the enclosure if it is kept with cage mates. The "hospital" enclosure should have a substrate of paper towel as it would be the most sterile substrate and any loose substrate could get into the wound and cause problems such as infection.


This is what a hospital enclosure would generally look like, adults would require the same thing but on a bigger scale. Minus the calcium dish as the leopard could walk over it and get it stuck in the wound.

It is very important that your temperature are around 95F or more to aid the regenerating stages and you should feed and change water as you normally would. It is normal for the leo to be slightly off her/his food after the tramatic event of tail dropping, you just need to be patient and your leo should be on a straight road to recovery

You need to monitor your leo closely and note the progression of the regeneration and also to monitor for signs of infection. If the wounds starts to weap or ooze, then apply a thin layer of Neosporin or Repti Wound-Healing Aid by Zoo med. If this does not resolve the problem in the next few days then you should seek the advice of a qualified herp vet ASAP.

Generally the tail should take around a month to regen Thank you for reading and I hope this has assisted you... Good luck!


(thanks to http://www.gekkomania.nl/img/geregenereerdestaart.jpg)

Great caresheet Becca one. Thing I'd like to suggest tho is leos in a hospital tank or recovering from a serious injury or are "sick" 95*F would be better. You want it higher than normal to aide in healing.

Also interesting side note for those of you wondering how sphagnum moss is healthy for a hurt leo... it has natural antibacterial/antimicrobial qualities some would even argue antibiotic qualities but I think that's a stretch.