Crested gecko not eating.... Swollen arms...

**Aphadale** · 11-08-2015, 06:17 PM

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Hi everyone! I was wondering if I could get some help? I have a Male Crested Gecko who has not been eating for over a month now unless I force feed him (rubbing food on his jaws) He has also just recently developed swelling on his front legs.... He has lost a significant amount of weight, is lethargic, won't eat on his own.... Before this he ate mealworms like a monster, obviously offered CGD but he usually went for the worms.... I was suggested to force him to only eat CGD and to just leave it in there until he ate it, changing it when it needed to be.... I am not 100% sure exactly what happened or what to do about... any advice would be appreciated... Thanks in advance!

**JessJohnson87** · 11-08-2015, 06:20 PM

Not a crested expert but I would take him to the vet. Maybe someone else can weigh in that knows cresties.

**Aphadale** · 11-08-2015, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by JessJohnson87

Not a crested expert but I would take him to the vet. Maybe someone else can weigh in that knows cresties.

I would love to... Unfortunately we don't have the money to at the time... I know it was pretty irresponsible of me to get one without thinking of possible hiccups... Hence why I'm posting here to see if anyone has had the same issues and has gone to the vet... Thank you so much though.

**JessJohnson87** · 11-08-2015, 06:42 PM

I found a care sheet on them.

Crested geckos care sheet (Correlophus ciliatus) the basics

In his care sheet he states not to feed them mealworms, they contain too much chitin for a crestie to digest. Are you dusting them with calcium powder because the swollen limbs could indicate metabolic bone disease, which if not treated can become fatal.

**Aphadale** · 11-08-2015, 06:53 PM

I know feeding them Mealies could be a potential risk, but he had been eating them for six months straight, perfectly healthy, never missed a shed or poop, growing at a normal rate and then all of a sudden just stopped.... I was dusting them on occasions so as not to create a calcium build-up, but he wouldn't touch them after i left the CGD in and took the bugs out, now he won't eat anything unless I paint it on his face... If anyone knew a possible home remedy, or could suggest something to do I would very much appreciate it...

**JessJohnson87** · 11-08-2015, 07:01 PM

Take a picture of him and post it.

maybe @CrestedRick, @CrestedL or @Aimless can help shed some light on this situation.

**CrestedRick** · 11-08-2015, 07:35 PM

Just because he eats something doesn't mean you should feed him that and especially since you know they aren't healthy for them. That aside, I would definitely get him to a vet bc there could be a backup in his system but as far as that goes I would try anything to get him to eat. Stick to cgd and avoid bugs. He could be refusing bc he's putting up a fight sort of like when you first buy one they do a hunger strike. But definitely take him to a vet too.

**Aphadale** · 11-08-2015, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by CrestedRick

Just because he eats something doesn't mean you should feed him that and especially since you know they aren't healthy for them. That aside, I would definitely get him to a vet bc there could be a backup in his system but as far as that goes I would try anything to get him to eat. Stick to cgd and avoid bugs. He could be refusing bc he's putting up a fight sort of like when you first buy one they do a hunger strike. But definitely take him to a vet too.

I understand that just because something will readily eat one thing or another doesn't make it good for them, however I didn't want him to starve... If I could take him to the vet, I would've but again I don't have the money to pay for it at the moment, I am looking for suggestions as to what others have done to prevent or treat MBD.

**JessJohnson87** · 11-08-2015, 08:43 PM

Once an animal has MBD, it can not be reversed. Supplementing pure calcium with NO D3(they will still need some D3 once a week to help absorb the calcium), mixed into the CGD can help but it will not fully cure it. I would call around to vets in your area that deal with exotic animals and try to price it out. It could be MBD or it could be something else. Rubbery jaw and deformed limbs are the most usual sign but I also read that swollen limbs could be to.

When you do feed bugs, crickets or roaches, they have less chitin. Repashy and Pangea are good CGD diets to think about to.

**CrestedL** · 11-08-2015, 09:11 PM

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Swollen arms could be a sign of MBD, mealworms are not the optimal bug for Cresteds as they are more popular with leos, crickets or dubais are normally used for Cresteds. You need to take him to the vet for a better diagnostic, also send pictures please as that would help further