Ulcer on abdomen, very concerned.

[spideyspinneret78]

I'm very concerned about my AF G. porteri. I bought her last year and after I brought her home I noticed that she had an ulcer on the bottom of her abdomen, presumably a drag injury. I've been checking it periodically when I can... it's been slowly getting bigger and tonight I noticed that it's looking a lot worse. She was already overweight when I got her and I've been feeding her very little (think a single mealworm every few weeks) to try and prevent any additional stress on her exoskeleton. I've been very upset and concerned since I noticed how much bigger it's gotten recently. I'm hoping that she'll molt out of it but I'm not sure. I hope it's not a cyst or tumor of some kind. I was hoping I could get some advice.

 

[viper69]

If there’s liquid coming out- bring to vet-
have them take a look at the fluid- can’t hurt

Nothing you can do, don’t feed a lot at all.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

If there’s liquid coming out- bring to vet-
have them take a look at the fluid- can’t hurt

Nothing you can do, don’t feed a lot at all.

Thanks for replying. Yeah, unfortunately I figured as much. It makes me really sad to think about. I work at a vet clinic and sadly there isn't anyone in town who does Avian and Exotics that I could go to. The doctors I work with know next to nothing about treating inverts. When I do feed her (which is very rarely) she's still eating, and is still active. If things start really going downhill I have access to humane euthanasia if necessary. I do euthanasias almost every day and know how hard it is, but when it's your own pet that's sick it really does hurt. I don't know why but I'm really attached to this one tarantula. It's really going to hurt if I lose her.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

If there’s liquid coming out- bring to vet-
have them take a look at the fluid- can’t hurt

Nothing you can do, don’t feed a lot at all.

I think I actually have a plan of what I might do in case the ulcer gets worse. I was thinking carefully about what resources I have, did some reading/ research, and came up with an idea. If it continues to worsen considerably and she starts leaking fluid, I'll talk to one of the doctors I work with, then plan to give her some isoflurane gas as an anesthetic. Just enough to make her easy to handle and reduce stress. Then apply a very small amount of styptic powder and tissue glue over the ulcer to stop bleeding and hopefully protect the injury. I've got nothing to lose. As for now, I'm going to hope that she molts before it gets significantly worse.

 

[viper69]

I think I actually have a plan of what I might do in case the ulcer gets worse. I was thinking carefully about what resources I have, did some reading/ research, and came up with an idea. If it continues to worsen considerably and she starts leaking fluid, I'll talk to one of the doctors I work with, then plan to give her some isoflurane gas as an anesthetic. Just enough to make her easy to handle and reduce stress. Then apply a very small amount of styptic powder and tissue glue over the ulcer to stop bleeding and hopefully protect the injury. I've got nothing to lose. As for now, I'm going to hope that she molts before it gets significantly worse.

Tissue glue- might be worth it.

Some people with T experience inject saline like other animals. Need to be careful you don’t rupture their circulatory vessels.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

Tissue glue- might be worth it.

Some people with T experience inject saline like other animals. Need to be careful you don’t rupture their circulatory vessels.

Yes, when I was doing some reading on it I came across that also. It's interesting. I hope that since tarantulas are becoming more popular as pets, we'll start learning more about their veterinary care. There are a few avian and exotic vets out there that are starting to learn more about inverts, thankfully. I came across newly published textbook online that I was tempted to buy. I think it was called 'Invertebrate Medicine'. A little out of my price range at the moment but I think I'll eventually get it.