Leo problems!

Dave_D · #1 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 09:56 AM

Hi

im wondering if someone can help me out please on a major problem I have with one of our young Leo's

Recently she has started doing some strange things! On Sunday night we noticed her thrashing around, then one of her legs stopped working, she was dragging it around, so I picked her up and had a look and gave it a little massage and it was all fine again, then a few mins later, the opposite side rear leg started it aswell! It was as if she is having some sort of siezure or fit like epilepsy!

I have checked her over and she seems ok, all her limbs are strong so I have partly ruled out MBD as she has a very strong bone structure, and when she is not having her problems, she is running and climbing everywhere

Last night, I looked in her tank as I heard a noise and she was at it again, so I lifted her out to see what was going on and she was rolling around and thrashing everywhere, then she started really biting her own tail, then she bit me twice!!! Which is unusual as she has been hand reared by a friend of mine who has been breeding leo's for a while now, and knows what he is doing...He has a VERY high success rate of healthy babies

I have had 3 off of him, and this is the only 1 who has any problems

The thing im confused about is why she is doing this! Apart from the fits, she eats well, and when she is not fitting she is a very friendly leo, but as soon as something happens she starts thrashing around and looses the use of 1 of her limbs, then a few seconds later she is back to normal and chases food and runs around

She has always had the usual suppliments so I dont think its that causing a problem...And she has a healthy appetite, she is normally the 2nd out of my 4 that is out as son as food is offered, the 1st is always my miss attitude as I call her!

At the moment, I have seperated her from the rest into her own tank as there is 1 of my babies that has an attitude (funny one, not evil) but she really does stand up for herself, so im worried that she will have a fit, upset the other, and get attacked!

If you have any info then that would be great as unfortunately I cant get her to a vet till friday as I cant get any time off work, im going to book an appointment for friday to get her checked, but I just dont have a clue what to do till then, or what could be causing it!

any info is greatly appreciated

Marinam2 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 10:47 AM

She bit you and is biting her own tail as she is in pain. The same as you would your tummy if you had belly ache.

Problem is i can't tell you any more than that but it sounds very very painful for her. The only thing i can think of is shes eaten something bigger than she should and its compressing her spine causing the leg problem and the pain in her tummy.

Marina

DeanThorpe · #3 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 10:58 AM

Hi dude,
Seperating her and waiting till you go to the vet is about all you can do so glad yourv done that.
Now she is seperate you can keep an eye on her poo and rule out impaction hopefully.
But i think that can cause similar behaviour.
As can simple stress, [fits atleast] so lets hope it stops now.
I hope she improves mate.
All the best.

Marinam2
Are you saying we would bite our own bellys if we had tummy ache cos personally..... I dont/wouldnt.

Marinam2 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 11:01 AM

Most animals will chew bite or nibble something that is causing them pain. We saw at lot of it at the vets. No me as a human i would not bite but them i have hands and the ability to rub or massage pain away animals do not have that ability the only thing that they are ability to do it bite and rub themselves against things.
Marina

Dave_D · #5 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 11:14 AM

there is 2 things that have been mentioned to me, and that was maybe a blood clot causing her to loose the use of her limbs, then as it passes all is fine, then onto the next part

Anther was impaction, which is strange as I dont feed them all large prey to keep the problems to a low level if at all

Someone also mentioned maybe give her a warmish bath to see if it can help break anything up in her belly and hopefully get her to pass it, if thats maybe the problem

Reckon thats a good idea?

DeanThorpe · #6 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 11:21 AM

i was going to sugest a bath but i wouldnt have any idea how your leo would react as im sure theres a god chance she has never been in water... but yes that could help.

like u say she seemd to get better when u massaged her legs [how u massaged a baby leos limbs.....]
but massaging the tummy whilst in the bath could work wanders IF its impaction.

dont know anything about the blood clots unfortunetly.

Dave_D · #7 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 11:34 AM

Massage, well its more of a help her byu moving her legs in circular motions till she starts to use it again

I never though of impaction mainly due to the thought that it mainly did the back legs in, yet it was her front leg that went 1st!

Im really lost! I have learned alot but ive gone through so much of my info and just hit a brick wall as my knowledge has ran out!

Marinam2 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 11:35 AM

If its clotting you will need to see a vet ASAP, if these clots reach the heart or the brain you will have once instantly dead gecko.

Marina

DeanThorpe · #9 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 11:42 AM

what causes blood clots marinam?
and what is the general treatment for it?
is there not a way dave could find out or do anything to help now just incase?

Marinam2 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-10-2007, 11:44 AM

Depends where the clot is, thinning the blood generally helps.

Thats all i can suggest i am not a vet nor have i experienced anything like this before.

Marina

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