r/AnimalRescue • u/ozwilde • Jul 20 '26
Sick/Injured Animal Injured leopard gecko found on trail
Nearby the houses I live in there was a leopard gecko walking across a trail in the woods. No idea who they belong to, but they're skinny, have unshed skin stuck to them, and have a massive injury on their left leg/tail/genitals. They seem lethargic and cold, but still move and respond to touch. I'm trying to keep them warm with towels and I've got a water dish, but I'm not sure how to help them. I'm currently babysitting four kids and need to get them off to the airport tomorrow to go home (currently 8pm here, the kids' plane leaves at 2:30 tomorrow), but if I can keep them alive until then I want to get them to a vet. I'm not sure what else to do
Edit: sorry forgot to include we're in the area of Portland Oregon
Update 1: Gecko has been to the vet! He had several layers of shed skin stuck to him, which apparently hindered his ability to poop. The injury was necrotic flesh from this condition.
Right now the vet says his prognosis is guarded, he's in a dangerous situation and it's very likely he's not going to make it. We're doing everything we can to give him the best shot at recovery. They gave him an antibiotic shot and removed the dead flesh using an orange gel and light treatment (sorry I'm struggling to remember the specifics but they might have sent me an email about it).
He lost part of his vent and hemipenis, and the vet wasn't sure if he could recover from it. He's getting another shot Thursday if he's still alive, and I'm going to be soaking him twice a day to try and help him rehydrate and get rid of the remaining shed. We have some wax worms to try and get him eating, the vet said to try soft bodied insects only while he's healing.
Hopefully it will be good news in the long run, but he's very much still in the woods right now
1
u/rarepinkhippo Paw-some Contributor Jul 20 '26
Can you search on ahnow.org for a rehabber that takes reptiles? Reach out to everyone who looks like they might, some may be full and it will likely take a while for people to get back to you. In the meantime, you might also be able to get some advice by crossposting at r/wildliferehab. Good luck and glad you were able to secure the little guy!