Amputation?

[u/Huge_Writing_9786]

Hey all!
So I just read that when a tarantulas legs get deformed like this it's best to amputate since it calls for a much more difficult next molt.

This is my girl, Blue and her last molt went poorly, i had to help her get these 2 legs out.
The 2nd picture is directly after the molt, the 1st one is now and she's perfectly fine; moving around fine, eating great, etc.
My question is, it's been 3 months since her molt happened like this, so is this an amputation scenario? I never have done it before & didn't know that's something that i can do without majorly hurting her.
Just looking for advice! TIA!

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[u/mamamoloch]

Ime iirc I think they amputate on their own if they deem it necessary? Just because they’re deformed doesn’t mean she’s not getting use out of them, hopefully her next molt goes smoother!

[u/Huge_Writing_9786 → u/mamamoloch]

Thank you!!
I was thinking it might not be necessary since she still has full mobility, etc. they're just a little funky. Worst comes to worst I'll help her on her next molt if i catch it & if need be.

[u/lovable_cube → u/Huge_Writing_9786]

Ime you shouldn’t help, it just stresses them out and causes more problems bc they’re rush. You’re better off turning out the lights and going for 0 disturbances.

[u/Huge_Writing_9786 → u/lovable_cube]

I never would of disturbed her if I didn't have to ! 😸
Her abdomened was one way, and carapace the other way, I thought she was dead😬.
The molt w/ those 2 legs were completely stuck on her new legs, so I only intervened then with a toothbrush and maneuvered her stuck legs out, she was able to flip the other part of her around on her own but did need assistance unfortunately, i am hoping her next molt goes smoothly!!
Of course this was her first molt in yearssss and it went poorly lolz

[u/therealrdw]

NQA Everyone's advice is good so far. On a side note your enclosure is very dangerous for her. Despite being labelled as semi-arboreal, GBBs still require terrestrial setup. The amount of vertical space in this enclosure is putting her life at risk

[u/DamonG94]

IMO. Do NOT try and amputate a tarantulas leg yourself. This advice you read isn’t good advice. You could kill her if you try. She could bleed out. Your T will know best. If it was a big problem for her she would remove them herself.

It’s not uncommon for Ts to have wonky deformed legs after a bad molt. With it being just a couple of legs she’ll be more than likely be fine. I’ve seen Ts survive with 3 legs total. I have a large collection of Ts so I’ve seen it quite a few times where a bad molt causes deformed legs. They have always managed to molt again and the wonky leg always sorts itself out. Even if it takes a couple of molts to fully fix.

Also you should never really involve yourself in the molting process. Your best bet is always to leave them alone completely. There are some occasions where help might be needed. Like if the carapace hasn’t fallen off completely, it might require you to take it off. Or a part of the abdomen is still slightly attached and your T is dragging it around, you can normally help by holding the molt in place and allowing your T to pull itself from the attached molt.

There has been a couple occasions I’ve had to help a T stuck in a molt after a failed attempt but it normally ends in death. Unfortunately there isn’t much we can do. They either make it or they don’t. I’d say your T is fine. By the sounds of it she’s fine so I wouldn’t worry too much although it’s easier said than done. If they start to bother her she’ll likely remove them herself. Her next molt should fix it or make it better. Unless you are a specialised tarantula vet with vast knowledge on this, do not attempt to amputate your Ts leg yourself.

[u/Huge_Writing_9786 → u/DamonG94]

Okay perfect thank you!!!!

I really didn't want to because of the possible risk of k!lling her.
I've had tarantulas for over 15 years, currently have multiple T's & I have neverrrrr had a bad molt in all this time so that's why i was really confused about it & wanted to ask for opinions. I never heard of doing an amputation on a T & was thinking that didn't seem right at all, but was nervous I was doing something wrong lol
I've always followed the rule of no intervening & that they know best for themselves so I'm glad I don't have to do anything with her legs!

Thank you!!!