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[Chicago]

Sparky has a broken neck - sometimes called floppy neck syndrome.  She has a neck bandage that keeps her head off the ground and she can eat and make her cute little noises.  But she can't move her neck from side to side or up and down.  And she only walks backwards.  My husband wants to cut her open and try to fix her !    What do you think?

[InmemoryofRomeo]

It has been done, but on an RB. It certainly is possible.

[RedwoodsMama]

I have two Pleos, both Ugobes with floppy neck syndrome, and beleve me , it is not easy to do at all, unless you really know what you are doing. Pleos have hundreds of peices, and the wires are very thin and there have been others here and elsewhere that thought they would give it a "get go" and try to fix Pleos and to no avail. As long as you have a working pleo, I would leave Sparky alone. There is a man in Germany that one of our members there took her Pleo to , get fixed, but the shipping would cost or equal another Ugobe.

               Also there are a couple of videos on youtube that show one guy who has actually done this before, but I can't remember which one it is. If I can find it I will list it here for you. I bought a Pleo about five months ago on ebay because some "jerks" let their pleo climb a tree and then the pleo broke it's neck, and they tried fixing it,  or thought they could and they massacured the poor pleo gutting him and cutting his skin all up trying to do something they knew nothign about . That Pleo is siting in pieces in a box, It is amazing that it still works even though it is gutted with it's neck hanging, scary site. I say do not let your husband attempt it, or Sparky will more than likely be out of commision permanently. Both my Pleos have neck braces on I have made myself out of special material and their heads do not drag on the ground and they walk forward and backward so I am not sure why Sparky only goes backward?
                             Good luck.                     RWM

[Crewella]

As IMR says, but it's complicated.  One thing - it's not necessary to cut the skin and it would be a shame to cut into a perfectly good skin.  With care you can remove and replace it.  

[InmemoryofRomeo]

I might be attempting this myself it seems. Lilo has a broken neck (Ugobe) but I've just noticed that Nani (RB) has a broken tail (top wire). With two injured Pleo's I am more willing to try the op on one and see how I go.

Edit: I've peeled a bit of Lilo's skin back and have already found the broken wire. I'll video her opening :O later tonight.

[Talon]

Ooooo! This makes me cringe just because of how complecated it is. The opening should make a very informative video for those brave enough to try it. I'm with Redwoods on the repair job, Chicago. As long as she works and you can get the brace ajusted correctly so that the obsticle detection isn't being triggerd, I'd leave her alone especially since you don't have another pleo to fall back on. Best of luck with what ever you decide.
Talon

[kat]

I look forward to seeing it IMR    I know pleos are complicated little beings but there are so many out there with broken necks it would be great to be able to fix them.  We already know you can remove the skin and replace it without damaging it.  So the next step is working out how to replace the wiring without taking apart any unnecessary bits.  And then being sure to put it all back together correctly.  If we can find a way and make a step by step guide for others out there with broken neck pleos then it would be a wonderful thing.  
It is not easy opening up your beloved Pleo for repairs but It is also not easy seeing your beloved pleo injured.  Just like a real pet when they get hurt you take them to the vet to be fixed and sometimes that requires surgery.  Unfortunately with Pleos you have to be the owner and the vet all in one.
Good Luck.

[InmemoryofRomeo]

I will have some video up shortly of the removing of the head skin, I will be taking everything very slowly and carefully and of course I will document every single little step of the way.

[Crewella]

IMR - from what I know from my attempts, you need to remove the legs in order to get at the electronics (front legs for neck cables), which was why I removed the whole skin.  If you have time, I'd be delighted to compare notes! 

[InmemoryofRomeo]

Aww gee, do I have to be that drastic I'd love to compare notes Anything we can compile would be most helpful for others.

[Crewella]

I have taken pics at every stage as I've gone along, but being a complete beginner trying this on my own, I keep coming up against the major gaps in my knowledge.  At each stage that I've got stuck, I've had to research and ask other people (some forum members and a couple of Aibo people have been very helpful, as was the bloke that came to fix my car electrics!) and that's why it's taking me so long.  As was so scarily demonstrated by RWM's Humpty - you really do need to take the insides apart to get to the seat of where the cables are rooted.  I'd be thrilled to have someone to compare notes with, and at least I have the advantage of working on a 'donor' Pleo and not a precious member of my family! 

[InmemoryofRomeo]

I did carefully pore over your photos in the gallery But if it gets too hairy and I get to a point where I think I may not be able to put her back together I will be bailing out

[Crewella]

No, no, no - don't let me put you off!!!!!!      

I've more pics I've not loaded, as I take pics of each stage so I can put it all back again.  I've just not wanted to load them until I'm sure it's the right way to do it.  I have to go to work now, but will get back to you over the weekend.