Injured/Sick Gecko

[little_dragon_]

My Girl Friend brought over her Crested gecko. It's in really bad shape. Its spine arches in the middle and when he trys to walk it looks like he has lost the mobility to move properly. She thinks it might have fallen of a wet leaf and landed on a rock below and injured his spine. I think it has received a lack of calcium. All my geckos are healthy as can be what can I do to help before bringing hers to the vet?

[little_dragon_]

I should add that I put him in a small critter keeper with paper towel, a small hide, some baby food, and a small pothos plant. He's about 9 months old and still looks like a juvie. I am planning on feeding him a mixture of calcium, fruit/meat baby food, and crested gecko diet mixed together through a sringe.

[HeatherRose]

This happened to me...I took mine to the vet and because of that he's still alive.

The vet said he had Metabolic Bone Disease, and gave me some liquis calcium and vitamin supplements and recommended putting him under a UVB light.

So I've done all this, and a couple months later he's climbing and making little baby geckos...The bumps stayed however, but he's fine otherwise...

I really hope this helps

[AnthonyC]

Yep, sounds like MBD. No need to take it to a vet. Get a can of Miner-All and make sure that it's mixed into the baby food and that the crickets are dusted with it every single time...I do this even with perfectly healthy geckos.

You might also want to get a liquid calcium supplement that you can administer orally until the animal starts to behave normally again.

No offense to your girlfriend, but I really wish more people would fully research a species before they buy, so that they can provide a balanced diet from the start.

[little_dragon_]

Believe me I was shocked because her leopard geckos are very healthy and so are my geckos.

[HeatherRose]

Just remember the little gecko isn't past saving ...you can buy liquid calcium at some petstores (cricket flavoured) but I recieved raspberry flavoured from my vet, and some Emeraid (supplement).

Unfortunately he was sick when I bought him, but I hadn't realized as the physical symptoms had not set in.

I don't know if this is what made his health pick up or the UVB lights...but he's alright now.

[sara]

Personally I would take it to a reptile specialist if you can afford it. Some good questions to ask would be about supplementation between meals v.s. during meals, most effective dosages, as well possible issues concerning contaminates in that form of Ca. If you decide not to take it to the vet keep an eye out for gastrointestinal problems like constipation, that can be a sign of overdosing. Take it easy and try not to overcompensate, in some cases that could be more damaging than taking your time. Good luck and keep us updated on your cresteds progress, i'm sure this will be a good learning experience for everyone.

[HeatherRose]

*oops* I forgot to add my vet trip (appt, XRAY, calcium and vitamins) came to about 60$ (canadian)

[little_dragon_]

I made a mixture of:
Crested Gecko Diet
Beef Vegetable Baby Food
Apricott Baby Food
Calcium with D3

I placed it in a syringe and placed drops on his noise, I also opened his mouth and add small squirts. All together he ate about a tbsp and a half of the mix.

[HeatherRose]

Sounds good if he doesn't pick up soon I'd add a light...but he should be ok

Good luck

[little_dragon_]

I got him on top of one of my crestie tanks right infront of their uvb light