[Skizix]

I've had my fattie for about 3 months, got him from someone who didn't want to take care of him. He eats well (crickets, with calcium added at least once a week) and as far as I can tell is in good health. But he's clumsy. He kind of wobbles when he walks...almost like he's constantly off balance. I'm sure this isn't "normal" or how he's supposed to walk...but is it something I should be worried about?

[Elizabeth Freer]

Sara ~

What type of calcium are you using? It should be a phosphorous-free calcium with D3. I like the Rep-Cal brand. You can leave a shallow dish of pure calcium in his cage 24/7.

I am not certain, but he could be showing the beginning stages of Metabolic Bone Disease.

[jnk144]

Sara, Elizabeth is probably right. I took in a four year old leopard male from a well-intended, but uneducated family member. She (a nine year old), kept him in a 5 gallon tank for four years - no heat source, vitamins, etc. Just crickets and water.

He exhibited a wobbly walk - this is due to the rubbery bones they get when they do not have the right balance of Ca/D3 - a very painful condition. I took him to a vet, who refused to give him a Calcium shot. He said just provide a vitamin dish.

So, that's what I did, and he improved dramatically, as did his walk - but, after four years of being deprived of proper environment and food, I put him down because I suspected his kidneys were failng (they just aren't automatically able to absorb all the nutrients) - he stopped eating and passing bowel movements. His death was probably going to happen regardless of whether or not I took him in.

I would advise you to go to a vet as soon as you find one who will see a reptile. If the vet is truly herp-specific, he/she will know to handle the animal VERY carefully - he already has rubber for bones, he doesn't need a broken forearm. (And you don't need the extra vet bills), or worse yet, a dropped tail.

He could also have Cryptosporidiosis - caused by a protozoan which imbeds itself in the intestine of the animal, sucking vital nutrients. This is fatal as unfortunately, at least not to my knowledge, no vaccine or cure exists. But, I welcome corrections.


There are other protozoans that cause disease; if/when you decide to take your little guy to the vet, bring a stool sample - they will analyze it for parasites.

I wish you luck.
-Jenn

[Skizix]

The supplement I've been using is actually the same supplement I give to my leo. It's T-Rex's Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus. It's got crude protein/fat/fiber, Calcium, Vitamins A & D. The lady I got him from kept him in a 40 gal. tall, with a 75 watt heat bulb. She didn't say anything about supplementing calcium...she really didn't know a whole lot other than feeding him crickets (which she left IN the tank with him... ) and providing water and heat. She misted him daily, supposedly. The tank was in pretty bad shape, too. There were crickets everywhere, wood mites on some of the decor, and mold in the area where the water dish was. Kinda made me want to throw up when I realized how bad it was.....I don't know of any herp-specific vets in my area, but I'll check around. He just looks like he's going to fall over when he walks...like his tail is too heavy for him or something. Other than that he seems healthy.


Here's the link to my original post (plus some pics) when I first got him: New AFT (I think)

[jnk144]

Sara - your little guy looks fine. He looks nice and plump. Usually, geckos who display signs of Metabolic Bone Disease are thin and as they walk, you can see their joints twisting - it is painful to even watch. ( Do a quick search for a gecko with the disease on youtube and you'll see what I'm talking about).

When I first posted yesterday, I was working under the assumption that he was 'wobbly' because he was diseased. However, after seeing what I assume are fairly recent pictures, I would say that if he is too wobbly to catch prey, it may be a neurological problem. He does not look like he has MBD, but that doesn't mean his bones aren't calcium deficient.

Your best bet, when getting any new herp, especially when getting one that came from poor conditions, is to just take it to the vet. The visit, including one or two medications and a fecal analysis, will cost somewhere around $115.00. At least, that has been my experience. You will feel a lot better about knowing you did everything in your power to see that your animal receives the proper care - and if the problem turns out to be neuroligical, there is probably nothing you can do - but I am interested to know how things turn out.

Jenn

[Skizix]

Jenn-

I guess I could have been more clear in my original post about his "wobbliness". He has lost some weight since I got him because he really wasn't eating well at all. He started eating better about a month ago. He'll go for prey until he almost falls over, then he'll wait until a more opportune moment (I usually have to leave the crickets in there overnight, and they'll be gone in the morning).