Injured leg

[deifiler]

I've just noticed a bead of clear yet opaque (with a white-ness to it if that makes sense) on the left rear leg of my P.Meridionalis, (or ceratogyrus) the bead has bits of soil and stuff stuck to it, so I don't think it's water. What's the best procedure to try and heal it?

It's about four inches legspan and appears some-what weak.

I'm in England, so if you suggest any remedies please don't use brand names, as they are limited here.. any household products I can use?

EDIT: I've been advised to remove the by taking hold of it with tweezers near to the cephalothorax, apparently the spider should 'remove' the leg and stand a better chance at healing?

I'm going to attempt this in an hour or so, so any input before would be most appreciated, especially if it's telling me not to and why

Thanks

 

[deifiler]

OK I hauled the legg off. It's still twitching.. pretty gnarly stuuf. The leg was 'detached' not torn off, and the spider has resumed normal life. I'll keep you all updated witht he healing process.

We grasped the leg with some tongs, and held on for a while. The spider tried to get away at a constant speed, then the leg detached WITHOUT the spider 'accelerating/emmiting any additional force' so I get the clear impression it was detatched.

Apologies for posting a new thread before having a thorough read through the other threads; I kind of panicked and wanted to sort the spider out ASAP. If this thread is regarded as usless feel free to delete it.

Thanks,

 

[rosehaired1979]

Don't worry its understandable. We all go through panic when something happens to our animals. The Tarantula should be fine and the leg should grow back in the next molt.

 

[Matt]

Hi!

The next time something like that happens use powdered sugar on the leg. I've heard quite often, that it works in sealing the leak.

cya

Matt

 

[rosehaired1979]

Some ppl use a small bit of super glue and toilet paper

 

[Code Monkey]

Originally posted by Matt
The next time something like that happens use powdered sugar on the leg. I've heard quite often, that it works in sealing the leak.

The question you have to answer is whether or not there's just a simple crack/puncture in the exoskeleton, or whether the limb has been crushed/badly twisted. In the first case, you can try to stop the bleeding (superglue, nuskin, nail hardener, unscented talcum, toilet paper, and, while this is the first I've heard it suggested, powdered sugar will all potentially work). In the second case, you are better off initiating autotomy because that limb won't shed properly and you'll at best wind up with a T with a missing limb come the next moult or a dead T at worse.

 

[abstract]

The spider tried to get away at a constant speed, then the leg detached WITHOUT the spider 'accelerating/emmiting any additional force' so I get the clear impression it was detatched.

Interesting! So the spider just kinda "pops" it right off of there. Did you not have to tug at it at all?

 

[deifiler]

Originally posted by abstract
Interesting! So the spider just kinda "pops" it right off of there. Did you not have to tug at it at all?

Nope, not at all. Infact, as the leg came off, I expected the spider to carry on moving due to the potential energy of it pulling against me, yet it didn't. You know the cliché scenario of a tug of war and the rope snaps in the middle, sending both times flying? Well that didn't occur whatsoever



All seems fine though with it... I'll keep you all updated though. I'm writing a 'report' for my website at the minute, shame I don't have pics and a how to (Although it wouldn't be very professional, I substituted 12" forceps for my mothers 6" barbeque tongues for a start)