T blondi trauma update :)

[Neil Ashby]

Hi Mate,

I dont know if anyone here has the same opinion but when a Tarantulas in this state it normally enters premoult rather than "coping" as yours is seeming to do.

Can only say best of luck with it Neil

Do you think that suggests that she is just waiting to die ?

[Christian Elowsky]

Without the signs of newly developing setae under the current exoskeleton, I wonder about a molting coming or not...

That set up is worlds better than the vermiculite from before though! Alas that ulceration might be the spiders undoing. Personally, I'd feed minimally, so to keep the stress off that area and hope a molt occurs before a full rupture!

Good luck.

[Neil Ashby]

Christian , she is refusing any food anyway !

[Christian Elowsky]

I'm sorry I missed that detail! It's times like this when one almost wishes it was a dog or some other mammal, systems we know far better!

I just read Romain Pizzi's chapter in "Invertebrate Medicine" and well, we just don't know much when it comes to veterinary care and our tarantulas, do we?

[Neil Ashby]

No mate , i just wish she could tell me whats going on !

[Colin D Wilson]

Do you think that suggests that she is just waiting to die ?

I wouldn't like to think myself knowledgeable enough to say yes or no, sorry mate...

[James Box]

that is so sad...i wish her and you luck, though...it's sad to have her for such a short time, all you can do is keep her comfortable as you're doing and hope for the best!!!

[Neil Ashby]

Thanks everyone !!

[Neil Ashby]

Well , she has finally done it ......................

She has cast her damaged leg !!!!!!!!!

Im not sure when she did it but it was sometime today while i was out , bit of a shock really when i spotted the leg in the tank , there doesnt seem to be any sort of leakage either !

Ill post some pics tomorrow as i dont want to disturb her tonight , bless her !

[James Box]

that's good! better off than on, i suppose? especially when you can grow a new one.
now we can only hope she recoveres from her abdomenal injury as well...i suppose the fact that there is no sign of a molt any time soon gives it a chance to heal underneath, perhaps? maybe i'm wrong, but maybe that will make for a safer molt? i confess i don't really know how T's heal...other than at molting time.
is she moving a bit more today then? or still listless?

[Neil Ashby]

Hi James

All she seems to be doing is turning round now and again . She seems ok i guess , and theres no leaking at the wound !

I think its a good thing she has done this , hopefully she will regenerate at least some form of new leg in time for her next molt , and with the leg not being there now at least there is no chance of her getting stuck when she does molt !

[James Box]

that's good. i guess the only concern is that bruise, then!
poor girl!

[Nicola Dolby]

great news Neil, glad she's still up and going!

[Neil Ashby]

Update on my poor blondi .........

The valve where she chucked the leg seems like its leaking fluid now ! . It doesnt seem to be dripping out but i can definately see fluid there

She also is very very lethargic and doesnt move about too good , the legs seeming to be slightly curling in

I so hope she gets through this

[Nicola Dolby]

All the very best Neil, she does look in a poorly way. I wouldn't worry about the legs curling in slightly, my Euatlus was doing that last night and tonight she's munching crickets as ever. As for the leakage, squirt some talcon powder on the area but be careful of the book lungs if they are near. The only real worry is her abdomen and that can't be sorted until she moults. Hang in there and keep her fed and watered and warm. Even if it takes a year when she pulls through you'll feel great.