What kind do I have?

[LeoMerlin]

Hey I was wondering how you are able to tell what kind of leopard gecko that you have? It's been frustrating me because the guy that we bought him from at the Reptile show just told us he was a Leopard Gecko. But now I am seeing there are many different versions of Leopard Geckos. So if you could help me out, that would be great. They said he is a male, and he has grey/purple color with maybe some yellow underneath it.... and a blue crown at the top of his forehead. I don't have pictures I can show just yet, because I know that would be more helpful than written descriptions but it's the best I have so far.

 

[LeoMerlin]

Here's a photo, but it's kinda blurry 'cause it's a phone pic. Sorry about that. http://www.flickr.com/photos/simply-dreams/5724257595/

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Looks like a snow with MBD and needs to get to the vet.

 

[LeoMerlin]

What is MBD?

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Metabolic bone disease. You can use the search function on this forum or google MBD in leopard geckos.

 

[LeoMerlin]

If he does have that, can he get better? He's been eating since I got him, he ate one worm today, and I got him the Day and Night 60 Watt bulbs that was recommended. I am so scared of something happening to him. I just want to make sure he has the best care possible.

 

[jerrymb]

Do you have a heat pad under the tank also?

 

[LeoMerlin]

No I am getting one tomorrow asap. What can I do to help him if he does have MBD?

 

[jerrymb]

No I am getting one tomorrow asap. What can I do to help him if he does have MBD?

I'm new to this whole gecko hobby but I imagine everyone would tell you to take it to the vet if you can.

 

[endrien]

Looks like he/she is walking on its joints which definitely seems like MBD(Though it may be just the way you took the picture, taking another better one would be helpful). I would get it checked, I also would have done more research on leo's before buying one.

 

[LeoMerlin]

I will try to upload a better photo asap. I have been doing tons of research, going to many various sites, and got a book, will try to get more if I can. We got him at a Reptile show. The man we got him from told us the basic care for leopard geckos but it doesn't seem to be enough for him. He's eating just fine, but he seems to be tired the last two days or so. I just don't want anything to be wrong with him.

 

[LeoMerlin]

Here's another picture of him. http://www.flickr.com/photos/simply-dreams/5724944032/in/photostream

 

[endrien]

I will try to upload a better photo asap. I have been doing tons of research, going to many various sites, and got a book, will try to get more if I can. We got him at a Reptile show. The man we got him from told us the basic care for leopard geckos but it doesn't seem to be enough for him. He's eating just fine, but he seems to be tired the last two days or so. I just don't want anything to be wrong with him.

Take notice to problems walking etc and post them here. Make sure you dust food with calcium powder as well.
If your gecko is anything like the one in this video, take it to a vet asap. Also what are you doing with the substrate? it looks like shredded paper towels, you should just have sheets of it laid down. When you get a under tank heater make sure you get a digital thermometer to check if the temperature is 88-95F

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[LeoMerlin]

No, he's not walking like that from what I have seen. Though I will see about trying to take him to a vet if we need to. And I am trying to find the best Calcium to dust food with. He doesn't seem to like crickets too much, he's been eating the mealworms.

 

[jerrymb]

I just put a bunch of mealworms in a zip lock bag with the vitamin powder and shake it up.

 

[LeoMerlin]

Okay also he tends to like the cooler spot of the tank recently. Is that something else to be concerned about? What's the best Vitamin to get him? I've seen the different brands but want to make sure it's the best for him.

 

[endrien]

Okay also he tends to like the cooler spot of the tank recently. Is that something else to be concerned about? What's the best Vitamin to get him? I've seen the different brands but want to make sure it's the best for him.

As long as there is a hot spot where he can go(roughly 90f) there is nothing to worry about. They will heat up when they need to and during the day they tend to spend a lot of time in cooler areas hiding.

 

[LeoMerlin]

Okay well it's been staying at 80-85 throughout the day. I know it needs a little more than that, so I am getting him a heating pad, and will see about supplements for the worms for the vitamins I've been hearing about. So you just dust the worms before you feed him? The guy we got him from didn't really mention that. He said people will gutload the crickets before feeding but not anything about worms. I think he's eaten a few of the crickets, but I think he's more fond of the worms. And he has a cool spot, and a hot spot with the 60 Watt Bulb (one for day and one for night as specified by other leopard gecko owners and petstore).

 

[endrien]

Okay well it's been staying at 80-85 throughout the day. I know it needs a little more than that, so I am getting him a heating pad, and will see about supplements for the worms for the vitamins I've been hearing about. So you just dust the worms before you feed him? The guy we got him from didn't really mention that. He said people will gutload the crickets before feeding but not anything about worms. I think he's eaten a few of the crickets, but I think he's more fond of the worms. And he has a cool spot, and a hot spot with the 60 Watt Bulb (one for day and one for night as specified by other leopard gecko owners and petstore).

You don't really need any bulbs, they absorb heat through their stomachs which is why the under tank heater is much better. If you want to control the temp of an UTH get a lamp dimmer that plugs into the wall and you plug your heater into.
It may not eat until you get proper heating as heat is needed to digest properly.
In terms of dusting you can get a calcium+D3 to dust with and a separate multivitamin or the all in one powder which you can dust with a few times a week. You will also want to gutload the crickets/worms, I personally find the worms to be much easier to deal with.

 

[jerrymb]

When I rescued my gecko last month I was given Zoo Med Reptivite without D3. It has calcium in it. Do I need a second supplement also?