I think my gecko has MBD

[Euphoric]

So today I went to ******** to buy a pleco for my new convict tank. I find out they had a large featherfin catfish (perfect for chiclids) that was a drop off. I go in the back to go take him, and here is this leo and I asked what was wrong. They said he was up for adoption because he had a spine problem.
His front legs are swollen like and at ******** they said he wasn't active..but at home he has and is walking just fine and getting around his new cage. I am thinking just not proper care if you know what I mean.
I almost worked for this place, and in fact they really should have hired me because of how little they know.
I am almost positive its MBD. No shed, and he can walk on the legs fine, he was easily able to lift himself out of the deli cup so I can't be broken limbs.
The thing is, I have never dealt with MBD before.

The pics arent that great, but it was the best I could do.
I need help to support my theory and tips on how to make the rest of his life more comfortable with MBD and steps to take to helping.

I haven't named him but here he is.

when i lifted his hide, he was like this (But my normal female does this too?)

 

[Euphoric]

* just for knowledge he happily ate two wax worms and had a normal bowl movement too

 

[fallen_angel]

I don't know because I haven't dealt with MBD personally, but it does look like he has a mild form of MBD. I would think that extra calcium with D3 (give it as often as you can, you can even put a little dish full of it into his enclosure and he will probably lap it up) will help him get back to normal. I am sure others will have some advice as well

PS - I applied to ***** several times and they never hired me, lol
PSS - Plecos!! That's awesome We just bought a plecostomus pretty recently too.. he's my fav, I want to get him in a bigger tank

 

[Euphoric]

Yeah he has his calcium dish in there for sure and I fed him some dusted waxworms last night.

No, they were going to hire me but my college schedule got in the way and then the manager was really rude to me about returning some fish..so even though I had a change in schedule I decided I really didn't want to work there.
Yeah, well my convict chiclids tore up the pleco....he pretty much as zero fins. Sigh these convicts are just so hard to deal with!

 

[Baoh]

His forelimbs look possibly abnormal.

My convicts, other cichlids, and baby turtles do not bother my clown pleco, by the way. I make sure there are plenty of hiding places and the clown pleco doesn't come out when the lights are on. Cory cats sometimes take small beatings in my tank, but not so much if the number of them is more than a couple.

 

[Euphoric]

UPDATE

please read!
He can no longer use his back legs.
Maybe he couldn't before and I just didn't notice.
But yeah its really sad

 

[thekooliest]

Go to the vet before he/she dies.
I have no clue about MBD or most diseases.
But the vet should be able to do tests to determine if it is MBD and give you something to try to save him/her.

 

[LadyGecko]

I agree-vet time asap

If he can not use his hind legs he is beyond anything that you can do for him at home on your own

A herp vet will know exactly what amount of calcium and what type to give him and he may give him an injection

Another sign of MBD is a softened jaw and it often disfigures as well as the spine and the limbs

You have to be very careful with handling Leos with MBD and never try and force their jaws open

I wish you the best of luck with this guy
Please keep us posted on how he does at the vet

Sandy
PS-Marcia is very good with all types of medical problems
Hopefully she will see this and contribute some of her knowledge to it

 

[Mel&Keith]

MBD can't be completely reversed but it can be stopped and he should be able to regain the use of his legs. Take him to the vet so they can teach you how to administer the proper dosage of liquid calcium. If you act fast he should be able to go on to live a happy life.

 

[Mel&Keith]

on a TOS side note:
"Posts and threads commenting on any business or individual with regards to their business and/or reptile husbandry ethics are not allowed on GeckoForums.net. This includes complaints about retail pet stores."

 

[modestmouse]

That scares me... I mean, my gecko does that thing with his arms sometimes, but I always have calcium available & as of right now I dust his food very often... I always thought it might've been comfortable for him to lay like that?

 

[Bling_my_leo]

My older leo had MBD. I didn't know that his calcium d3 had expired. His bones are now hard, but deformed looking. He doen't gain weight very easy, and has a kinda hard of a time walking. This is how I healed his MBD; I gave him calcium d3 three times a week instead of just twice. I did this for a little while, and his bones hardened back up.

How is the little 'fella doing?

 

[Bling_my_leo]

Modestmouse-

You are not the only one who worries about your other leos having MBD. I do too. I swear somtimes my other two les look like they are bending their legs like my leo with MBD did. They have calcium as well. So I know they don't have MBD.

I guess it's just my imagination.

 

[fallen_angel]

You should definitely get that leo to a vet, here is a good local herp vet's website:
http://arizonaexoticanimalhospital.com

 

[modestmouse]

I just figured that's the way he lays down... I've always dusted his food with pure calcium & give him the D3 twice a week... He's got sturdy, chunky little legs on him...

 

[leonut]

yeah thats a definite vet visit the vet won't be able to reverse any deformaties in youre geckos bones BUT he can stop it from getting any worse with calcium injections, and liquid vitamins.

keep us posted!

 

[Euphoric]

Well he has gotten one injection when I first got him
and I was told to just give him calcium.
Before you rib on me, please dont give me shit, but it was at my school biotechnology center not a vet. I did know he needed an injection and this is not the first reptile to come in to get a shot successfully. The head lady Simonsen knows what she is doing, and has a great collection of reps herself.

Its hard enough the vets cost so much but the shots are ridiculous. I can't go back to the lab since I am no longer a student.
I won't be able to for another two weeks ,but I will at least take him to a visit and go from there

 

[Euphoric]

Okay somebody has to fix this site...
I see no images I can't post threads and I can't edit.
and its the only site thats doing this to me! ARGH

Well edit he has vet appt not next week but after.
55 for initial visit isnt so bad, and I was told by the nurse they can do payment plans.
Hopefully he isn't too far gone.

 

[fallen_angel]

Best wishes to you and him!!

 

[godzillizard]

Get him some liquid calcium glubionate!!! you can give it orally, but he needs enough D3 in him to be able to process it--no more shots neccessary...