Vet Recommendations and Advice?

[Grace259]

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I've had my first crestie, Calcifer, for about 2 years now and health problems are starting to appear. His tail has a kink or two which has me assuming he has MBD. He hasn't been eating any of his CGD for about a week and has had no interest in crickets/superworms for a couple of months. As of recently, he was sneezing which has now has become harsh exhaling and strange noises. I'm very sure he has a respiratory infection. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend me a veterinarian in Arizona that specializes in reptiles. If anyone has any advice, please write me some. I really want him to get better. I feel like I let him down and I want him to live a long, healthy life.

[GeckoLeen]

Check here for a vet in your area: https://arav.org/

[Elizabeth Freer]

A warm welcome to Geckos Unlimited!

1. Which brand and type CGD has Calcifer been eating regularly up till recently?
2. A "complete" diet?
3. In the past roughly how often did Calcifer eat CGD versus crickets/superworms? Half powdered diet and half lives?
4. Did you lightly dust some of his live food with powdered supplements?
5. If so, which supplement?
6. What temps does his enclosure range?
7. What substrate?
8. How often do you mist Calcifer's habitat?

[Grace259]

He's been eating Pangea and I switch it up between watermelon, apricot, papaya, and one with insects. I give him CDG everyday and about 2 crickets weekly. I dusted them with Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 but later used the one without D3 because I bought a UVB bulb. The temperature ranges from 74-78 fahrenheit, but it is getting cooler. The substrate is paper towel with bark on top and misted twice a day in the morning and night.

[Grace259]

Thanks! I'll definitely use it.

[Elizabeth Freer]

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He's been eating Pangea and I switch it up between watermelon, apricot, papaya, and one with insects. I give him CDG everyday and about 2 crickets weekly. I dusted them with Zoo Med Repti Calcium with D3 but later used the one without D3 because I bought a UVB bulb. The temperature ranges from 74-78 fahrenheit, but it is getting cooler. The substrate is paper towel with bark on top and misted twice a day in the morning and night.

At 2 years old Calcifer should be adult size.

Pangea's Complete powdered food is great! It contains cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). I don't know how much D3. Even eating Pangea's complete diet 3 times per week is sufficient D3, since vitamin D3 is fat soluble. Keep feeding him insects @ 1 feeding per week. That way Calcifer will keep eating them.

My crestie's temps range from 70ish to nearly 80*F on a warm summer's day. Keep temps high 60s and above throughout the year. Usually I thoroughly mist George in the evening 1x per day. George's substrate is Eco Earth's coco fiber.

1. What dimensions is his enclosure?
2. I wonder whether Calcifer's enclosure has been too humid.
3. What is your max and min humidity as measured by a reliable humidity gauge -- not an analog (circle) hygrometer?
4. A crested gecko appreciates humidity that fluctuates. It's a good idea to let humidity drop to "room level" during the day as long as that's around 50% RH.
5. What brand and strength UVB bulb? Some are far more reliable than others. Zoo Med & Arcadia bulbs are top notch. Both the strength of bulb and the enclosure's size are important factors.
6. Are you looking for heating suggestions during the winter?
7. Have you located a good exotics vet?