Help W/ Broken Tail Still Attached

So last night, I made a big booboo. While watching a movie, wanted to give one of my leo's some attention. While taking her out of the enclosure, I forgot to close the plexi slider. Meanwhile, few minutes in, another leo of mine went for a hop from the enclosure about 2.5' to the floor where she busted her tail and it violently began swinging while still attached to her. The deal scared her quite a bit and she took for a quick sprint.

Upon picking her up and investigating, she was a little wiggley, but I think more so because she was confused at the movement. No signs of any external wounds, and she looked alert and ok. I put her back in her enclosure to let her hide and relax for a bit and then came back to check on her 15 minutes or so later.

The tail is still attached, again with no signs of external damage, but is very stiff from the apparent break point as it seems as though rigor mortis has set in.

I've read, in cases where tails are not completely lost, sometimes they reheal and a posisble second is regenerated. My fear is that, her tail was completely broken (again, obvious from the violent movement and onset of rigor mortis) and that still completely attached, I'm worried of it dying, decaying and then feeding infection back into her.

Advice? Should the tail be removed or left alone?

I had my leo fall out of my hands once 5 feet to the floor, he wagged his tail violently as well and there was no damage. I think being prey creatures they do that as a threat display becauee they don't entirely relate their fall as their fault and think maybe a larger creature may have caused it, or they feel vunerable and do the display to make sure any predator watching doesn't think they're vunerable. Either way... if the tail was indeed "broken" it would be limp, lifeless, and appear disjointed at the point of the break. The animal would just usually drag it, or start to bite at it as the nerve endings could be dieing and cause that pins and needles feeling which would cause them to want it off. If the tail was indeed dead or turning necrotic from a break there would be evidence, deterioration of the structure, withering, eventual discoloration then infection and sepsis.

Id watch the leo carefully the next few days. If its able to move its entire tail with intent, its not likely broken. If you start to see wasting away of the secton of the tail beyond where you suspect the break is, discoloration or the leo starts chewing at then you likely need veterinary intervention and possible amputation.

Kermit,

Your response greatly appreciated. I'll check on it tonight when I get home and post updates. Like I said, last night and this morning, the tale was completely stiff with a dominant curve to side. I can feel the point about half way through the tail where it is no longer stiff, and likely the break point.

I will, as you suggest, let it be with close observation and take her to the vet under circumstances as you described, which is what I had feared would happen.

Wanted to check and see if anyone else had a similar circumstance with positive results.

Hopefully everything turns out ok but worse come to worse you end up with a leo with a regenerated tail. I'm sure you'll keep a close eye on it and post if you have any more questions.

imo regenerated tails are cool lol i love my lil stubs tail

Not concerned about a regenerated tail, more concerned how the tail regenerates if a broken portion is still attached. Anyone that's experienced this, please let me know, otherwise, I'll keep posted on the progress.

Again, from external examination, the tail appears normal, but feeling the tail, the ending half is curved and stiff. I'm not positive, but I am convinced that the tail broke completely internally, but the outer flesh stayed in tact keeping it whole. Only concern is infection and health.

If it is a clean break there is a chance it could heal with out issue since its not a compount break (where the bone comes thru the skin). If a vet were to amputate it would be below the break into healthy tissue. Is there anyway you could post a pic?

Sure thing. I'll check her out tonight and try to get a good picture of her. I'm new to the forum, so maybe I'll try to post pictures of all of them, including my other post of the eye problem. In fact, the two with eye problems I'm kind of curious on the morph, so maybe you guys can help me with that as well.

oh dear, I hope your leos tail recovers and everything is okay. Please keep us informed about it.

If the tail is broken give it a few days and it will usually fall off on it's own. I have seen this with one of mine and it took about three days but the tail slowly changed and then fell off where it was broken.

I responded in your eye problem thread I was hoping you'd chime in jolene. I thought I heard you mention something ages ago about a break and the results.

Yes Kel, I have had a few but that is bound to happen when you are housing 61 reptiles of all sorts

61 reptiles? :O

No doubt jolene

Yes, my basement is a very large reptile room. As I said Sarah, you are welcome to come check it out....lol

My basement is a rabbitry

Ok, back on track. My apologies to the OP.

Checked the tale again last night. The flesh was a little softer and the tale was a bit smaller, probably swelling reducing, but the tale was still stiff from the break point to the tip. Note pictures attached. Also note, the curve to the left in the second photo, That is the stiff portion, pretty much the entire dark section.

I would just keep an eye on it. There is not much you can do for her even if it isn't going to come off, unless it starts to get infection or something. It should fall off and then just LEAVE IT ALONE...lol....you don't have to do anything to it and it will heal up and grow back Please keep us updated though on how it is going. Also, just so you don't become too alarmed or surprised, if the tail drops, you may not find it. Don't worry about it, it will not hurt her.

No worries. Not panicked. Just making sure there's nothing more I can do, and sharing photos. Thanks for the quick replies!

Hope all heals well. Pretty little gecko you have there.

The tip looks a little dark, it might be dyeing, it might bad lighting. I'm with jolene on this one...wait and see.

Wanted to post an update. She has apparently recovered. Tail is soft and flexible and she has muscle control all the way to the tip. Thanks again for the calming of my worries. Patience has paid off.