The question of leg-bubbles

[SpottedDragon]

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So I recently had Wyrm to the vet for a health check, also to take a look at the leg bubbles. He is healthy, no signs of MBD, IR, or any other issues other than an irregular heartbeat that may have been from stress or could have been just a genetic issue that may or may not ever effect him. Also, he may be a she...

As for the bubbles, the vet said that these guys store all kinds of things in these pockets - from fat to mineral rich water. Since he is not overweight, it is most likely stored water with calcium and possibly some other minerals. The vet thinks that I may have been over-dusting - not enough to cause issues yet, but giving more than his body needs at this time. He's been on plain calcium twice a week, repti-vite once a week, and calcium with d3 once a month. Apparently the Repti-vite also has a small amount of calcium in it as well.

So I was advised to do a much lighter dusting (less like powdered donuts which is what I was doing, more like a mere sprinkle lol.) and reduce the frequency to calcium once a week and maintain the repti-vite at once a week. Calcium with D3 once a month still since I have caught him basking on a regular basis*.

I took all the vitamins with me as well as my record book for temps and feedings as well. If the bubbles get bigger or seem to impact him in some way I can take him in for a needle aspirate and histopathology, but the vet felt that was unnecessary at this time and didn't want to stress him further with his heart rate being odd (he was going to try and find out more on gecko heart disease for me - I'd go to a cardiologist if it were a cat, but I doubt our local cardio dr can do anything for a gecko with a minor arrhythmia).

*on a note on the basking. I recently re-arranged his tank to allow better access for cleaning, added different decor and a large flat rock on the warm side - its a 1/4 inch thick piece of dark slate - that is usually around 84-86*F. Now that his cage is next to my fiance's desk we see him sleeping out on the rock at least two to three times a week - 90% of the time its first thing in the morning when his light comes on. This morning he was out on in for about 30 min - like a gecko pancake, eyes closed, and looking super comfy.

[Elizabeth Freer]

As for the bubbles, the vet said that these guys store all kinds of things in these pockets - from fat to mineral rich water. Since he is not overweight, it is most likely stored water with calcium and possibly some other minerals. The vet thinks that I may have been over-dusting - not enough to cause issues yet, but giving more than his body needs at this time. He's been on plain calcium twice a week, repti-vite once a week, and calcium with d3 once a month. Apparently the Repti-vite also has a small amount of calcium in it as well.

So I was advised to do a much lighter dusting (less like powdered donuts which is what I was doing, more like a mere sprinkle lol.) and reduce the frequency to calcium once a week and maintain the repti-vite at once a week. Calcium with D3 once a month still since I have caught him basking on a regular basis*.

Cut back plain calcium carbonate to very light dusting @ 1 feeding per week just like your vet advised. Another option for plain calcium is to only lightly dust 1/2 the feeders @ 2 feedings per week + Reptivite @ the 3rd dusting per week.

Yes, Zoo Med's Reptivite does contain an ample amount of calcium. For specific amounts check these links.

For 77 click: Gecko Multivitamins
For 24 click: Calcium powders with D3: Zoo Med, Rep-Cal, Fluker, Exo Terra, + others

[Elizabeth Freer]

PS:

Are you using the baggie method for dusting feeders?

Instead of that place a pinch of supplement powder in a 32 ounce deli cup. Add feeders. Then swirl feeders around to lightly cover them. Bounce them up and down to "shake off" some powder. Serve with a smile.

[SpottedDragon]

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Yes, I was using the baggy method - and trying not to tap all the dust off when shaking them out of the bag as well. Sometimes, esp with the two calcium types and dubia, who retain the powder soooo well, the bugs did look like powdered donuts. The Repti-vite does not seem to stick as well (probably a good thing for me).