For several months, my crested gecko's tail has been having some issues. She is about 5 years old (I think). It started out as a little bit of black scabbing on the tip of her tail (I apologize for not having a photo from then). I immediately searched the internet for what it might be, and came to the conclusion that she had tail rot. Reading that in severe and untreated cases this could lead to death, I right away got her a vet appointment. The vet prescribed some antibiotics that I had to administer to her through shot ever 3 days
. Although I did not see much improvement, I hoped that in time it would get better. After about a month of closely watching her, I came to the conclusion that it was not, in fact, getting better but was slowly spreading up her tail. Again, I went to the internet. After a deep dive of endless links, I found that multiple sources were saying to put triple antibiotic ointment on her tail. For about two months, I did this. Again, no improvements. Last month I went on vacation, leaving my cresties with the girl who has been taking care of our house for years. Before going on vacation, I thought it would be smart to take a picture of her tail (linked below). When I got back from vacation, the growth was minimal but definitely there. Returning to the internet, I found a reliable source that said forcing a gecko to drop their tail can sometimes be the best option. Although I remember the vet saying that they could remove the tail if it got worse, I also remember the price being something that would put a dent in the money I have been saving for necessities. The source said that taking your thumb and forefinger and pressing at the base of the gecko's tail, if you do it correctly, can make the gecko painlessly drop their tail. Reading more, I found that dropping a tail does not cause long term harm to the gecko and they will naturally heal. For a week or two now I have been hesitant to try and make her drop her tail, but I feel that maybe loosing her tail is the best option. Today I took another picture of her tail and placed it beside the previous one from before vacation. Note that a centimeter or so already dried up and fell off, and this is the new tip of her tail. I've been seriously stressing over this one. I've been reading endless articles about what to do, but am still hesitant. I love her so much and the last thing I want is for her to die or be further hurt. What should I do? Anyways, thanks for reading this incredibly long story. Please put some thoughts, suggestions, or facts down below.
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. Although I did not see much improvement, I hoped that in time it would get better. After about a month of closely watching her, I came to the conclusion that it was not, in fact, getting better but was slowly spreading up her tail. Again, I went to the internet. After a deep dive of endless links, I found that multiple sources were saying to put triple antibiotic ointment on her tail. For about two months, I did this. Again, no improvements. Last month I went on vacation, leaving my cresties with the girl who has been taking care of our house for years. Before going on vacation, I thought it would be smart to take a picture of her tail (linked below). When I got back from vacation, the growth was minimal but definitely there. Returning to the internet, I found a reliable source that said forcing a gecko to drop their tail can sometimes be the best option. Although I remember the vet saying that they could remove the tail if it got worse, I also remember the price being something that would put a dent in the money I have been saving for necessities. The source said that taking your thumb and forefinger and pressing at the base of the gecko's tail, if you do it correctly, can make the gecko painlessly drop their tail. Reading more, I found that dropping a tail does not cause long term harm to the gecko and they will naturally heal. For a week or two now I have been hesitant to try and make her drop her tail, but I feel that maybe loosing her tail is the best option. Today I took another picture of her tail and placed it beside the previous one from before vacation. Note that a centimeter or so already dried up and fell off, and this is the new tip of her tail. I've been seriously stressing over this one. I've been reading endless articles about what to do, but am still hesitant. I love her so much and the last thing I want is for her to die or be further hurt. What should I do? Anyways, thanks for reading this incredibly long story. Please put some thoughts, suggestions, or facts down below.
