worst luck ever

[-okapi-]

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/thumbimage.php?imgfile=101858darius.jpg


Thats Darius, my tremper blazing blizzard. Some how he broke his spine and now Im going to have to have him put to sleep.

Friday I noticed he was in shed so I left him alone till tonight so he could shed and when I went to ckeck on him an hour ago to see why he isnt back to his usual activities I saw that he was still in his hide box. That was strange so I got him out and noticed he looked scruntched up. He was also holding a back leg weird and gave me two bites when I touched his back. I ran my fingertips along his spine and felt the spot where it is broken. Then I put him in a 6qt tub to examine him under a light and take a pic. He still has his shed on him so thats why he looks dirty. I just cant figure out how it happened. Ive never dropped him or anything like that, and no one goes into my room, mom is creeped out by them and my step dad doesnt like herps. I can only assume that Darius some how got stuck between his hide and the tank wall and thrashed around to get out then drug himself back into the hide or something of that nature, but ill never know. I have the worst luck with the blizzard gene. My first bliz was a hatchling and just stopped eating and even though I was force feeding it just died. Then I got Darius, put 20 grams on him and he breaks his back. I feel so bad about leaving him overnight with a broken back but I cant bring myself to kill him and all the vets are closed at 2:30 am around here. I just cant believe my horrible luck.

[-okapi-]

I took him to my vet friend and she looked in a few of her reptile text books and decided that Darius has MBD and thats why his spine broke; it was too weak because of the MBD and he overexerted himself. That was a shock to me, because I often see him lapping up calcium powder and feed him crickets and mealies that are gutloaded with carrots, collard greens, and high calcium chicken egg laying mash. I also got him from a big name breeder, so Im kinda sceptical about the MBD being the cause. Surely it is possible that he could of gotten stuck and thrashed about and broke his spine even if he didnt have MBD. She talked me out of giving up on Darius so soon and decided that we should at least try to save him. She gave him an injection of a steroid to reduce the swelling along his break and now we are hoping for the best, which would be that:
A) his spine fuses back togeather once the swelling goes down
B) he can still eat, we are concerned that since the break is between the neck and the stomach he might not be able to swallow food.
C) The break heals to just being a kink in his back and he lives a normal and happy life.

I am going to give him 7 days before I have to play god... If he starts to regain motor function and is able to eat then I will save him, but if not, he has no options.

[kronic2005]

I hope everything goes well. I dont own any geckos or lizards for that matter. Im just a snakeaholic. Im not sure what may have cause it. Most likely what you stated. But I hope the little guy pulls through and makes it. If not he'll be happy with all his other gecko pals in the place that shall not be spoken of. Best wishes.