Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Saskia asked in PetsReptiles · 9 years ago

Leopard Gecko Lost Toes?

I've had my leo, Hikaru, for a while now, and ever since his first shed with me he's lost parts of toes throughout sheds and even soaking his toes and using q-tips to try to get the shed off won't help... right now he's got 3 whole toes, but other than that they've all got missing parts. I really felt and still feel terrible for letting it happen to him but since then the shed gets off without him losing toes. It hasn't seemed to affect anything he does and he still really likes climbing on things and is very good at it, but now I'm wondering what affects lost toes could have on him. Thanks!

Update:

Oh and for the record, I have a moist hide in with him at all times.

3 Answers

Relevance
  • Garn V
    Lv 5
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    How is your moist hide situated? Is it on the warm or cool side of your gecko's tank? It's best to have it either on the warm side if you don't mind spraying it frequently or in the middle of the tank if you want to spray it less frequently. On the warm side, the water evaporates more quickly, but there is a higher humidity factor as a result. In the middle, it will be suitably humid and evaporate a bit more slowly.

    Lost toes generally have no effect on the geckos that owned them. I'm sure they're much happier with all their toes and there is always a risk of infection with injuries like these, however small they may be, so of course we'd like to avoid it happening.

    These guys are notorious for getting 'toe caps' even when they have everything they need for shedding. I'm not sure what kind of soaks you're giving your gecko, but if you haven't already, try simulating a humidity chamber for him. Fill a tupperware or other sort of plastic tub up with warm (not hot) water and put the gecko in, then close the lid with small holes for air. Let your gecko stay in there for 10-15 minutes, then try Q-tipping the shed off his toes. The Q-tip should also be moistened with warm water for best results.

    If this doesn't work, you may have to be a little rougher with the shed. If you can loosen it with the Q-tip, but not quite remove it, grab the loose flap of skin between two fingernails if possible, or tweezers if not, and gently pull. If it gives too much resistance, don't, as you might injure him. If you can gingerly work it off, great. I sometimes have to do this with my leo, as her toe caps can be quite stubborn at times.

    Source(s): Leopard gecko owner.
  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    Nothing too bad unless infections set in so keep an eye on him, seems to be a common occurrence with Leo's & many other gecko's beings they're toes are delicate, small & fragile... so always keep a shallow soaking bowl in his habitat - one he can soak in or drink from as he chooses & add wet paper towels or newspaper to his hide when he's shedding especially - not mosses or anything like that which can wrap around their toes causing this kind of loss as well !! Take Care

  • Anonymous
    9 years ago

    I am unsure to why Hikaru has been losing toes because it sounds like you have been doing everything right. If he is still climbing well now then it may not affect him at all and if it does it will probably only affect him in a few years when he will be less active and not as good at climbing if it does affect him at all. just keep doing what you are doing and good luck. Hope I helped.

    Source(s): 3 Leopard Geckos, Chinese Water Dragon, Thousands of Care Sheets = Experience
Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.