RIP - Sweet Cleo

[dakski]

Today I had to say goodbye to Cleo, my almost nine year-old Leopard Gecko. She had been slowing down over the past few months and had a minor mouth issues followed by an eye issue, which is why I brought her to the vet today. The vet found, what she firmly believed, to be a cancerous tumor in her stomach area. This would explain the lack of appetite and some lethargy. Her colors were starting to fade a little and she just wasn't herself anymore. I was somewhat prepared and asked the vet if the mouth and the eye etc. were acute or indicative of a bigger issues. It seems the cancer was draining her immune system and causing her pain, hence the ancillary issues.

The vet offered to do a biopsy, blood test, ultrasound, but said that would only be worth it if i was willing to give Cleo Chemo to treat the cancer. Frankly, I've know the vet for a while, and she encouraged me to euthanize Cleo if I had reservations about putting her through all that. I did. Katie and I talked and we felt it was best to let Cleo go peacefully. I said goodbye and Cleo even let me rub he head a little and nudged me gently. She went peacefully and quickly.

She will be missed.

There is a small chance that it wasn't cancer, but I wasn't going to put her through a barrage of tests, especially knowing she is already in pain, and given her age and female leopard gecko life expectancy (8-12 years).

The vet offered to have me donate her body to science, meaning an autopsy would be performed and we will have answers, and others can hopefully benefit from what we learn. I decided to do that. The vet asked if I would have regrets if they found something potentially treatable, and I said no. Especially if it meant putting through uncomfortable treatment.

Cleo was a special gecko. She came to see me 85% of the time I opened her tank door. She would walk onto my hand and was great advocate for reptiles everywhere. She was incredibly calm and docile and enjoyed chin rubs and head rubs. I will miss greatly. We had a great 8+ years together and I will having nothing but fond memories of my beautiful little girl.

RIP Cleo. You will be missed. Have a safe journey over the rainbow bridge and I hope they have plenty of wax worms and hornworms (her favorites) on the other side.

Here are some pics right before she was euthanized.