Leo is limping after a shed?

[alisonk]

Our Gecko shed on Thurs/Friday, and now I have noticed it limping a little, and behind the leg that seems hurt (right front leg), is a little lump - almost like an under arm gland swollen - although I have no idea if geckos actually have glands like that? I actually noticed this little lump before he shed, but he was acting normally, so I wasn't too concerned.

Has anyone ever encountered this before?

I gut load the mealworms with oats/crushed premium dog food and carrots, and the crickets get romaine, orange cricket cubes and flaked tropical fish food. I dust just the crickets with "zoo-med" Reptivite (Calcium, D3 and vitamins).
I have not yet put plain calcium in his/her tank yet (we have just had him 2 months)...but will as soon as I find a brand without the D3.

He is still eating - had about 4 mealworms and 2 crickets tonight (he still was able to stalk the crickets and catch them)

Typical that I encountered this on a Saturday....hopefully he'll be ok till Monday, when I can take him to a vet if needed. I was just hoping this will pass.

Just wondered if anyone on the forum would know what this could be? I will try and get a pic tomorrow when its lighter.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

Sometimes geckos get "lumps" behind their front legs from being really overweight or from too much calcium. Although those shouldn't cause limping. A picture might help you get more accurate opinions.

If you're really worried best thing to do is take the little guy to the vet.

 

[sausage]

the limp could be from shedding. some times they strain them selfs pulling off leg skin, iv had it before. keep an eye on him for a few day and let him rest and all should be okay. if its still limping in a few days go to the vets.

the bubbles under the arms are a sign of a healthy gecko. like said sometimes too well fed

 

[alisonk]

Update -

He is not limping so badly today, thank goodness! That is a relief! I will keep an eye on him over the next few days, just to be sure.

Here is a picture of the lump under his arm - Hope you can see. Its behind his right front leg, a slight raised area. Its a bit difficult to take a picture while holding him!

So you think he could just be well fed? He does seem to be putting on weight, tail is nice and fat.

I read on another thread that the zoo med reptivite should only be used occasionally, and I should be using just calcium for every day dustings. Could that be the issue?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[sausage]

ah yes he is lovely and fat, I don't he needs to worry about a food shortage any time soon
hes a very handsome boy

some people do say that the pockets under the arms are calcium/vit stores from over use on food but as far as im aware it hasn't been proven.

most people do give vits once or twice a week and calcium all the time but to be honest if the body receives too much vitamins and calcium it just excretes the excess out any way. so I don't think that's too much of a problem.

you could take the vitamin one down to twice a week if youd like too.

 

[alisonk]

Thanks! We think he's pretty handsome too!

I'll cut down the reptivite to once or twice a week I think. And get some plain calcium for his tank.

I've been feeding about 5 or 6 mealworms a night, plus 3 - 5 crickets. He always finishes the mealworms, sometimes he doesn't catch all the crickets.

When does one start reducing the meals when they near adulthood? I don't want to make him overweight....and I think he's getting pretty large (5- 6 inches long). He was the biggest gecko at the pet store, so I think he was a few months old when we got him.

Perhaps I'll start another thread on that.....

I looked at him this evening, and it seems he is no longer limping at all. Must have been a strain in that last shed.

Whew! Got worried there for a minute!

Thanks Sausage!

 

[alisonk]

By the way....now that I have posted a pic, does anyone know what morph we have? This is our first gecko, and I've been looking on the 'show off your gecko' threads at how many beautiful types you get. I had no idea about all the breeds!
Is ours just a normal? We got him from Petco.

 

[getgeckos]

I believe it is a mack snow.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[sausage]

yes he is a mack snow

Leos tend to just eat what they need, they arnt greedy like bearded dragons who eat till they throw up.

most types of worms are quite fatting, wax worms should be used as treats. Meal worms are a good staple diet but are still a little fatting.
i mainly feed crickets and locusts, but i still find some of my older geckos get fat. thats just an age thing though.

 

[Ozy]

I find the easiest way to supplement is just use Repashy Calcium Plus for Leopard Geckos at every feeding. Just dust all of the food items with that, and I usually have a bit in the bottom of the mealworm dish also. Make sure to gutload your insects! I use Fluker's High Calcium Cricket Diet and the gel water things. I know my leo is doing AMAZING with the Repashy Calcium Plus. Glad yours is ok! He looks nice and fat! LOL! I also agree with everyone else in that he looks like a Mack Snow.