Leo with possible mbd

[shakti75]

Hi guys, I am new to this forum and new to geckos. I have always been a bearded dragon person and was considering getting into leos, but haven't put in the research yet. This morning, though, I had a leo kinda dumped in my lap. Little boy down the road didn't want to take care of him anymore so his mom figured I would give him a good home. The little guy looks kinda malnourished and she mentioned a calcium deficiency, which is evident, looking at his poor little knobby knees. So, I know how to treat mbd in beardies, just not sure if it is the same with leos. Since they don't use uvb, should I just be making sure he is getting his calcium and wait to see whether he recovers? He is getting around ok and doesn't seem to be hurting. I have some liquid calcium that I used for a beardy rescue with severe mbd. Is that safe to use for leos?


I'm not sure of his age, but I know he is at least a year old, because he was a bday gift to the little boy last year.

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give.

 

[shakti75]

Here are a few pics (if this works, since posted the link before didn't).
In the second pic, you can see his poor little knees from the mbd.

 

[reps4life]

Here are a few pics (if this works, since posted the link before didn't).
In the second pic, you can see his poor little knees from the mbd.

MBD is very complex and there several factors which can cause disruption of calcium metabolism.

Only a reptile vet can safely treat a case that extensive.

He needs to be seen by a vet asap. So first thing would be to get on the phone and schedule an appointment. In the meantime, do you have all the basic needs?

Can you explain your set up?

 

[shakti75]

MBD is very complex and there several factors which can cause disruption of calcium metabolism.

Only a reptile vet can safely treat a case that extensive.

He needs to be seen by a vet asap. So first thing would be to get on the phone and schedule an appointment. In the meantime, do you have all the basic needs?

Can you explain your set up?

He's been to the vet already. The people that had him before me took him and the other one that was with him. Unfortunately, the girl didn't make it. Turned out they weren't giving them any calcium at all, so she started keeping a dish in his tank.

I just got him this morning, rather unexpectedly, so I haven't set him up the way I want yet. Will be doing that tonight, since my son's archery class is right by the pet store. She brought him to me in a 20 long tank and was using a combination of sand and corn cob bedding for substrate (grrrr). I have gotten him out of that and he is now sitting in the tub I usually use for my beardies when I take them to the vet, with it sitting on top of a heating pad on one side to give him some warmth. They weren't using an under tank heater, only like from above. When I get to the store tonight, I'll be getting a UTH to put under half of a 10 gallon tank (will use the bigger one when he has gotten a bit bigger and is healthier. For now I want him in the 10 gallon so I can keep him in the nook on my desk, where I can keep an eye on him while I work (at home).

Another thing, they had a bowl of water in the tank for him (though it was dry). I don't know as much about leos as I do beardies, but I know I don't use water in my tanks for my beardies, since I want to keep their humidity low and they never drink from standing water anyways. Does the same apply to leos, seeing as they are also desert animals?

 

[reps4life]

He's been to the vet already. The people that had him before me took him and the other one that was with him. Unfortunately, the girl didn't make it. Turned out they weren't giving them any calcium at all, so she started keeping a dish in his tank.

I just got him this morning, rather unexpectedly, so I haven't set him up the way I want yet. Will be doing that tonight, since my son's archery class is right by the pet store. She brought him to me in a 20 long tank and was using a combination of sand and corn cob bedding for substrate (grrrr). I have gotten him out of that and he is now sitting in the tub I usually use for my beardies when I take them to the vet, with it sitting on top of a heating pad on one side to give him some warmth. They weren't using an under tank heater, only like from above. When I get to the store tonight, I'll be getting a UTH to put under half of a 10 gallon tank (will use the bigger one when he has gotten a bit bigger and is healthier. For now I want him in the 10 gallon so I can keep him in the nook on my desk, where I can keep an eye on him while I work (at home).

Another thing, they had a bowl of water in the tank for him (though it was dry). I don't know as much about leos as I do beardies, but I know I don't use water in my tanks for my beardies, since I want to keep their humidity low and they never drink from standing water anyways. Does the same apply to leos, seeing as they are also desert animals?

Poor little guy,

Really nice of you to have taken him in

Leos will drink from a water dish.
So make sure he has a water dish, humid hide(wet paper towels inside)
A small dish of Plain calcium phosphorus free in the enclosure at all times.
Temp: 75 to 95. Make sure the temp on the ground is 90-95 on the hot side.
Also Calcium with D to dust his insects with. A multivitamin supplement.
One hide in the cool side and one in the warm side.

I am a bit confused. So, they took him to the vet and what was the outcome?

 

[reps4life]

He's been to the vet already. The people that had him before me took him and the other one that was with him. Unfortunately, the girl didn't make it. Turned out they weren't giving them any calcium at all, so she started keeping a dish in his tank.

I just got him this morning, rather unexpectedly, so I haven't set him up the way I want yet. Will be doing that tonight, since my son's archery class is right by the pet store. She brought him to me in a 20 long tank and was using a combination of sand and corn cob bedding for substrate (grrrr). I have gotten him out of that and he is now sitting in the tub I usually use for my beardies when I take them to the vet, with it sitting on top of a heating pad on one side to give him some warmth. They weren't using an under tank heater, only like from above. When I get to the store tonight, I'll be getting a UTH to put under half of a 10 gallon tank (will use the bigger one when he has gotten a bit bigger and is healthier. For now I want him in the 10 gallon so I can keep him in the nook on my desk, where I can keep an eye on him while I work (at home).

Another thing, they had a bowl of water in the tank for him (though it was dry). I don't know as much about leos as I do beardies, but I know I don't use water in my tanks for my beardies, since I want to keep their humidity low and they never drink from standing water anyways. Does the same apply to leos, seeing as they are also desert animals?

One of the problems is we have no idea what his calcium level is. They obviously were unreliable. I think it will be best if possible to take him to the vet and get some blood work and check hydration status and most important his calcium levels. I can only suggest it. Let me find you a caresheet.

 

[reps4life]

Here is a nice and simple care sheet to start with.

http://www.ohiogecko.com/care-sheets-mainmenu-35/leopard-gecko-care-sheet.html

 

[reps4life]

Feel free to ask any questions. There are many people here that can help with suggestions.