Rescued gecko

Skits · 02-21-14, 07:28 PM

Here's the newest rescue. Unfortunately, she/he belonged to my dad's girlfriend. They were keeping her in a tank with a screen top, never misted the tank for the months they've had him, only fed him crickets (I'm not sure if they had calcium on them or not)..he had a UTH but underneath his tank on the floor..and he had a heat lamp which was barely on, and when it would be, it'd be drying up any humidity in there.

His name is Lloyd, we're his fourth home. He has a deformed back, not sure if it's MBD or what, he had stuck shedding on him (hands, tail, bit around his mouth) and hadn't eaten in a few days. He happily took repashy as soon as we gave him some, and he's in an extra humid ICU which is doing him wonders. The shed is coming off on it's own already. He's also not using his back feet or right hand much. He can move them but not grip from the looks of it.

Any advice? What do you think is causing his back to be arched the way it is? I don't have the greatest crestie experience but my boyfriend has his own who lives here, and he's healthy and thriving so we're doing something right.

Charis · 02-21-14, 07:39 PM

Looks to me that he has MBD that has deformed his spine and probably quite a bit more. I don't have any experience with caring for an animal with MBD but I have heard that they can benefit from a UVB bulb, cresteds don't normally need any special lights but one with MBD can be a help. He's not the worst case I've ever seen but looks pretty bad, so I would not be terribly surprised if he doesn't make it.

Maybe someone else with more experience can help you more though.

drumcrush · 02-21-14, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charis

Looks to me that he has MBD that has deformed his spine and probably quite a bit more. I don't have any experience with caring for an animal with MBD but I have heard that they can benefit from a UVB bulb, cresteds don't normally need any special lights but one with MBD can be a help. He's not the worst case I've ever seen but looks pretty bad, so I would not be terribly surprised if he doesn't make it.

Maybe someone else with more experience can help you more though.

I agree.
He needs calcium, get some calcium dust and supplement his food.

Jinxygirl · 02-21-14, 07:46 PM

That is definitely MBD, Poor little guy

I have no experience with MBD.. but like Charis said a UVB bulb would be good to have to help him absorb calcium. Also it's good that you have him eating CGD, you should also put some extra calcium powder in it as well since he probably has absolutely no calcium stores. The people that had him before should feel ashamed.. this is a very neglected animal. I'm glad he is with someone that is going to actually feed him the right diet. He will be permanently deformed though.. MBD does so much damage to their spines that is irreversible.

Skits · 02-21-14, 07:59 PM

I have experience with MBD (unfortunately) so I know how to help him if that's the case. He's already gotten repashy with calcium powder in it. There's no problem if he looks this way forever, he has his forever home with us no matter what.

I'll have a vet check him as soon as I could, for now he's doing better already. Hoping he continues to improve!

drumcrush · 02-21-14, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skits

I have experience with MBD (unfortunately) so I know how to help him if that's the case. He's already gotten repashy with calcium powder in it. There's no problem if he looks this way forever, he has his forever home with us no matter what.

I'll have a vet check him as soon as I could, for now he's doing better already. Hoping he continues to improve!

Well, good to hear! I'd say he's in good hands

Good luck!

drumcrush · 02-21-14, 07:56 PM

I also recommend a trip to a trusted vet, they can give him a proper diagnosis and injections to really help. It's kinda funny cause I'm doing a report in English class about reptile diseases, including MBD.

Starbuck · 02-21-14, 08:15 PM

I would be gentle about mixing the calcium into the repashy, as you dont have very much control about how much he eats, it could affect palatability of the food. Repashy has some calcium anyways, and itsgoing to take some time to get him feeling better regardless. Wouldnt want him to od. As others said I would definitely get him to a vet.

Skits · 02-23-14, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

I would be gentle about mixing the calcium into the repashy, as you dont have very much control about how much he eats, it could affect palatability of the food. Repashy has some calcium anyways, and itsgoing to take some time to get him feeling better regardless. Wouldnt want him to od. As others said I would definitely get him to a vet.

Alright thanks for the tips

How should I give him calcium powder if any, and how much? Or should I just stick to UVB? I'm not sure how much uvb light to give him..would a 10.0 work?

Starbuck · 02-23-14, 10:30 AM

dusting is ok for insects, though he has to eat them in about an hour or they will groom the calcium powder off of themselves. Gutloading lasts longer, of course.
Since you're mainly doing repashy (i think? which is totally fine), i think it is ok to mix a little in, just be very light handed (think about when you dust insects, you put a tablespoon into the bag with the bugs, and quite a bit is left over at the end)... i wouldn't do it every day either. I think UVB is a good call... i haven't kept UVB requiring species in a while so I'm not sure what wattage/bulb type would work best. I would say as long as temps aren't too high and he has some shade cover to get to he should be fine with whatever.

I also suspect that the deformities and lack of calcium are behind his poor climbing ability etc. I doubt it will ever look like a 'normal' gecko, and you may find as she returns to normal function she runs into some other problems, but best of luck!

Skits · 02-23-14, 11:14 AM

Alright ty for the tips

I could feed crickets as well, but I don't think he'd eat them. He still barely walks. My boyfriends crestie eats mostly repashy but with the occasional crickets. I don't mind if she looks a little "special", just want her to be able to move around and walk. It's maybe too high of expectations but hopefully climb one day as well. Will do my best with her.

Deva · 02-23-14, 11:18 AM

"He still barely walks." What a shame and I am so glad this little guy has found a good home with someone who cares about him. I hope he makes it.

formica · 02-23-14, 11:29 AM

bare in mind that the Calcium is useless without Vit D3 (sorry if this is obvious to you), its not good dosing her up on calcium without adding D3 as the Calcium cannot be utilized without the D3, which is what causes MDB.

Correct dosing of D3 is essential however, I highly recommend going to a Vet to get a proper dose regime in place, its vital she gets the right amount, without overdosing - I cant really comment on using UV, but I would suggest being cautious about the level and getting info from someone who has lots of experience using UV lighting with cresties (which is a rather limited number of crestie owners)

good luck, keep us updated, fingers crossed she'll recover enough to enjoy life a bit more than she has done, or at lest live a more comfortable life from now on, poor little thing

Skits · 02-23-14, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deva

"He still barely walks." What a shame and I am so glad this little guy has found a good home with someone who cares about him. I hope he makes it.

It's really, really sad..especially when we compare her (I believe she's a girl!) to our healthy gecko. Some people really shouldn't have animals. The same person who I got her from also has a betta fish in a half gallon container..I wish I could take her too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by formica

bare in mind that the Calcium is useless without Vit D3 (sorry if this is obvious to you), its not good dosing her up on calcium without adding D3 as the Calcium cannot be utilized without the D3, which is what causes MDB.

Correct dosing of D3 is essential however, I highly recommend going to a Vet to get a proper dose regime in place, its vital she gets the right amount, without overdosing - I cant really comment on using UV, but I would suggest being cautious about the level and getting info from someone who has lots of experience using UV lighting with cresties (which is a rather limited number of crestie owners)

good luck, keep us updated, fingers crossed she'll recover enough to enjoy life a bit more than she has done, or at lest live a more comfortable life from now on, poor little thing

Thanks for the help

Yes it does have D3 in it. I'm going to the vet this week to bring in one of our rescue ferrets (needs to get an abscessed remove from her face) so I'll take the gecko in with her.

CameronVarnish · 02-23-14, 01:24 PM

Good luck. Thank you for helping him, most people would see that it would cost more to help him than he is worth. You are a great keeper.