Max

Question
QUESTION: My son's leopard gecko was given some antibioitc ointment for eye problems from our reptile vet.  We were having to pick him up to put it in his eyes 3 times a day and he didn't like it much.  Yesterday it made him so upset that he dropped his tail.  A horrible sight.  Since last night he's been in his burrow hiding. He hasn't moved much at all and when I reached in to remove the tail (also in the burrow) he got very agitated and hissed at me. My question is, what is normal behavior for a gecko who has lost his tail in this manner?

ANSWER: Hello Elizabeth,

Oh no, poor Max!!  
He is exhibiting normal behavior.  When they lose their tail, it really is uncomfortable, not to mention the fact that he just lost all of his fat reserves.  
How were you holding him to where he dropped his tail?  
What were his eyes being treated for, infection?  What caused the eye problems in the first place?
How does his tail look right now?  

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I was attempting to hold him the way the vet showed me, sort of vertical with my thumb under his chin, but he was wiggling so hard to get away that it was hard to keep him in one position.  I just stuck the goop in his eyes and put him back down as fast as I could.  The eyes are infected and they don't know why.  One seems much worse than the other, but in general he seemed to be a little better until this tail thing happened.  His overall health was excellent except for the eyes.  Today's plan was to clean out the tank of all substrate (it seem to be sticking to the eye ointment and now to his tail injury) and make him as comforatble as possible while he heals.

ANSWER: Hello Elizabeth,

How is Max today?
Man that is too bad.  Well, accidents happen & they do regrow their tails all of the time.
What are the temps in his tank?  Are you using an undertank heater for him along with a low wattage basking light?
Definitely take the loose substrate out & put in paper towels.  What type of loose substrate were you using?

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Max seems a little better.  Interestingly, he shed his skin right after he dropped his tail.  I don't know if he was just ready to that anyway, or if the stressful experience had something to do with it.  Anyway, his color is MUCH better now that he's finished shedding.  He does have an under the tank heat pad and he seems to be staying very near it (just under his burrow, too).  Temps are a little low in the tank right now (about 80).  I have a 60 watt red light to provide heat, but I think I may need to up the wattage.  We did remove the sandy substrate (got it from the pet store)and completely redid the tank with paper towels.  Right now I can't really tell if he's eating.  Of course he just ate all that skin he shed, so I;m hoping another day will tell us more about how he's really doing.  His tail looks like it is doing what it's supposed to do based on pictures I've seen.  Fingers are crossed for Maxie.  Thanks.

Answer
Hello Elizabeth,
Great that Max seems to be doing better.  Well, at least he shed & looks better anyway.  I don't think he would have dropped his tail due to shedding, most likely the stress.
Well, the ambient temps in the tank should be around 80 or so, but on the warmer end he does need roughly 88-90 in an area for him, with the moist hide being on the hot side.  

I hope that he will continue to improve now, & his tail will grow back properly.  Also, keep in mind that his tail may not grow back exactly the same as it was before.  :-))

Tracie