Removing Crested tail.

[Jay]

It was brought to my attention from a trusted source that it is ok to personally remove the tail from a crested gecko showing early signs of mbd, or lack of calcium. The initial thought of removing the tail is overwhelming. Once you go ahead and get over it the tail comes quick and effortlessly. There was a few drops of blood, no gushing like I assumed. She didn't seem to mind at all.


Before:
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m517/jay0133/photo-18.jpg

After:
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m517/jay0133/photo-20.jpg

[SpOoKy]

MUch better looking. I am sure that was hard for you to do. I bet your crestie is much happier now though. Thanks for making this thread explaining.

[Jenn_06]

awww she is looking a her butt like "where the hell is my tail" lol, but she looks better already.

[DragonsEye]

Glad it went smoothly though personally I much prefer cresties with their tail. (Not a fan of dogs with bobbed tails either now that I think about it.)

[SpOoKy]

Gald it went smoothly though personally I much prefer cresties with their tail. (Not a fan of dogs with bobbed tails either now that I think about it.)

The tail was removed for heath reasons not for looks. I am with you though, I don't agree with altering dogs tails/ears for cosmetic reasons.

[lady_bug87]

i love her little gecko butt

[Jay]

I was surprised how calm she remained. The tail on the other hand looked like a fish out of water.

[Snakefood]

Ya that's kind of freaky isn't it?? I grabbed my anole the wrong way as a kid ad part of his tail came right off in my hand (defense mechanism) and the trial kept squirming in my hand!! iy was a weird feeleing.

The amputation looks good, and looks like you did a good job!

[Jay]

Well she ate a few dusted crickets for me no problem. From the looks of her she apears to be content with things.

[Jay]

Just acting normal. It almost looks healed already!!

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m517/jay0133/photo-21.jpg

[BarelyBreathing]

Nice, clean job. :)

It only takes a few days to heal. After that, she can go back to her regular enclosure. Her hips look pretty bad. Unfortunately this won't be corrected, but now that she doesn't have her tail, it won't get any worse. You're very lucky that you caught this in time, and that she doesn't seem to be bothered by it. I've seen a crested gecko with hips so bad that he couldn't climb. :(

[jarich]

Im curious as I've never kept crested geckos. What is the purpose of taking the tail off regarding MBD? Is it because they are already taxed for mineral uptake, so taking off that much bone allows the focus to be on the other, more essential bone structures?

[BarelyBreathing]

It has less to do with MBD (although MBD makes the problem 10 times worse) than floppy tail syndome. When crested geckos have tails and they hang upside down for extended periods of time, repeatedly, their tail pulls their hips upwards. This causes a deformity in the hips, as you can see in the picture of the gecko on the glass. Do you see how the hips are sort of pointing upward?

[Jay]

This picture some what better illustrates the deformed hip. The few days I have had her she does spend about 40% on the ground.

[BarelyBreathing]

My cresties prefer to hang out on broad leaves or logs than on the glass. Perhaps if you added some of those it would help her feel more comfortable?

[jarich]

Ah, I see what you mean. Thanks for the info!