Less movement, using elbows instead of front feet!

[MillaTheGecko]

I've had my leopard gecko for 4 months now. It has had some issues with shedding the skin from its feet/legs, but nothing that can't be massaged off without problem. But it seems like since the last time she shed, she isn't moving around as much. Now she will only catch her food if it comes close to her, instead of hunting it down. She also seems to be doing an "army crawl" like thing on her from elbows instead of using her feet.

Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong?? I'm very concerned! Her toes all seem fine, and there isn't any discoloration anywhere.

 

[robin]

first off the shedding issue. do you provide your leopard gecko with a humid hide?

the walking on the elbow thing sounds like MBD metabolic Bone Disease which is caused by lack of calcium. do you provide your geckos with calcium?

 

[gitrdone0420]

first off the shedding issue. do you provide your leopard gecko with a humid hide?

the walking on the elbow thing sounds like MBD metabolic Bone Disease which is caused by lack of calcium. do you provide your geckos with calcium?

That was my frirst thought too.

 

[MillaTheGecko]

For the humidity, I mist every once in a while and spray her with a shedding aid spray.

I read about MBD, the symptoms include shaking a rubbery lower jaw. Leg and spine fractures also occur. There were not any other symptoms listed. Is it possible she has leg fractures? Is there any way to find out?

I gut feed my crickets with calcium rich feed, is that not enough? This is my first leopard gecko.

Thanks for the help

 

[got spots?]

sigh...
No that is not enough
You need to buy calcium without d3 and put it in a dish for your leo at all times. Also you must dust all food as well

 

[Stomlin35]

Your gecko doesn't HAVE to have all of the symptoms. It really does sound like MBD. You should also provide your gecko with a humid hide at all times. Do you have a picture perhaps?

 

[Mel&Keith]

It sounds like the beginning stages of MBD to me too. One of the first stages of MBD is softening on the bone. By the time you can see the bones bending it's been going on for quite a while. Just make sure your gecko has Calcium available at all times and it will stop the bone deterioration.

 

[Angel]

humid hides are easy to make your own for cheap just get a container of some sort cut a hole tape around the hole so no sharp edges are exposed, use paper towel and moist it with warm water and just spray as needed to keep it moist , replace the paper towel every so often, youcan use alot of other stuff coconut fiber, peat moss ect just look it up in the forums but they should have that avail all the time especially in a shed.
Hope yor leo is ok , get the calcium they advised asap, and a trip to the vet wouldnt be a bad idea they could give you a proper diagnosis. Is she walking bad on 1 leg or both?
{this advice is controversial and I know some will dissagree but this is what i use}
I use a uva/b light about 2-4 hours a day usually at dawn and dusk. I always had them with my beardys as it is required with them however when i got into leos I started looking into it and lately there have been studys where they say it can benefit the leos as well and in the wild they do get some form of sunlight usually early morning and at dusk. I have discussed this with my herp vet who also said she had heard that however hadnt done any research herself so couldnt verify but she did say it wont hurt them {unless you have an albino then they are a little more sensitive to the light} so it may be something to think about. I use my uva/b light on 2 of my geckos there cage is side by side so makes it easy I dont use it on my blizzards ,some say it makes there color richer but i have yet to witness this.
Good luck

 

[MillaTheGecko]

Thanks so much for all the advice. I build a humid hide container with moss. I lowered her water dish and added a calcium dish. I fed her some calcium coated crickets. Not sure what else to do as of now. She doesn't seem to go for the powder dish, but shes only had it for an hour. I'll update her status.

Here's a picture of the current setup:

 

[got spots?]

what is that top for? Good to see ur leo nows how to evacuate
keeps us posted. Might want to fill the cap up more

 

[MillaTheGecko]

Figured it would keep in moisture. Should I take the top off? And yeah, I filled it to the top. Hope she feels better soon.

 

[Angel]

i think she means the one on the ground it looks like maybe water???

 

[Jama]

i think she means the one on the ground it looks like maybe water???

+1 that's definitely water.
what about temps?

your gecko will lick the calcium, don't worry if you don't see it.
remember to dust feed every other day or every couple of days.
what are you feeding him/her with? crickets? mealworms?

 

[GeckoGathering]

Rubber Limb (MBD)

Some geckos will not lick the calcium
or at least not enough to recoup at the stage
yours appears in.
............I had a couple that I had to go to
feeding liquid calcium to help them.
If you decide on liquid calcium....you'll
need to hand feed it..syringe....
The easier one
to use has 0.4 g of sugar in it.
They take it better.
It's " Rugby Calcionate Syrup "
(human product) Bought it on line.??
May be able to find it in a drug store.
Apply a drop or two on the mouth slowly,
until they start licking and
then it becomes easier.
Tried a reptile one from the pet store..
..a spray on their food. (wouldn't work for me)
Take care. Hj

 

[Samantha]

her legs look a little bent under her funny like my one gecko i rescued wit mbd just dust keep some cal with d3 avaiable for her at all times and gut load...and make sure she eats and wait and hope for the best

 

[Srt14292]

Samantha I disagree, calc with d3 avaliable at all times would induce the risk of her overdosing on d3..however calc without d3 then yes.

 

[Misstasha]

this is what i do to make sure my leos have enough calcium !!

I put a bottle lid of pure calcium iin their tank at all times - three times a week I dust their food with calcium + d3

For the humid hide I get a regular spray water bottle see how many shot glasses it takes to fill that water bottle, then i bou ght liquid calcium it helps the water stay clean and gives your leos calcium.. I always moisten the hide with the calcium / water mix and they always lick that. I've never had problems with them not getting enough calcium - I've seen my leos lick up calcium from their bowl wen they feel they are lacking! Hope your lil one gets better.

 

[gothra]

Besides the calcium problem, do you have an UTH to provide proper heat for her? The thermometer sticker reads 78F? How about the floor temp?