Leopard gecko rehab: MBD (too common) Rehabilitation

jsteele2 · #1 11-07-2011, 05:34 PM

Hi, new to the site. I'm in the process of nursing a juvenile leopard gecko that I adopted from Petco back to health. There are no herp vets in my area and she has improved since I first got her. I'd really love some helpful advice on daily treatment going forward (she's improving lately).

Tank: 10 Gallon
Substrate: Reptile Carpet
Pet: Juvenile Leopard Gecko
Habitat: 3 Hides: Humid, Warm, and Cool
Diet: Mealworms, some Waxworms, and Crickets, all dusted, water, and calcium powder.

this is nefertiti

She is about 6 inches long, and she has Metabolic Bone Disease. It's unfortunate, because having picked her up from a chain store I know exactly how it developed. The Petco in my town (not sure about everywhere else) doesn't dust their food with calcium, nor do they even provide a calcium dish. There were at least 8 young juveniles in the tank when I immediately noticed the slightly inverted front leg of this little girl. Knowing she was almost definitely not going to improve in that horrid cage (can you tell I don't like Petco?), I adopted her myself to try to work on her disability.

I almost would have never posted this today because I was sure that I would return home today and she would be cold as ice. Her first few sheds were fine (got her about 5 months ago). Two weeks ago she had an impossible time with retained skin on her back legs and head that I had to work on with her for a few days.

This time I took precautions and got her some shed-aid at my local petstore that proved SO helpful, her skin came loose and although it still took her a day or two with my help, she managed to pull through. I've been handfeeding her crickets and watered down calcium to keep her healthy until she is strong enough to catch food on her own. She went from lethargic to more active, climbing up her caves and exploring around.

I'm aware MBD tends to have lifelong physical damage, but what are some daily treatments I should follow up with to aid her recovery?

jsteele2 · #2 11-07-2011, 05:36 PM

Forgot to mention she's also under a UVB and an infrared, as well as an undertank heatpad. Figured that would be one of the first reply questions.

electrofelt · #3 11-07-2011, 10:28 PM

Hi! I'm so happy to hear that you are doing all of this to help this little girl out. It is always so refreshing to hear that there are kind hearted people out there that want to help these guys.

I am glad that I came across this post. I have a gecko with exactly the same issues as yours including the MBD and shedding issues, etc. I am happy to tell you that you picked her up at the right time. Her front legs do seem to be a little bent, but it could be a lot worse. MBD deformities like her legs will not go away, but with proper care she will recover the strength in her legs and it won't bother her one bit. I have a couple questions/comments for you

1.) Is she eating regularly? If she is eating then the best thing you can do is dust her food with a multivitamin and calcium (with D3) as you normally would, and then pure calcium on the rest of the feedings. Ideally you would want to see a vet who would prescribe you liquid calcium, but you should be ok if she is eating and you stick to the supplement schedule

2.) What are the temperatures in your tank? How are you measuring these temperatures (stick on thermometer, digital thermometer with a probe, temp gun,etc)?

3.) You mentioned that you are using a UVB bulb. Leopard geckos actually do not need UVB like most lizards do. A lot of lizards need UVB rays to process and absorb calcium, but Leopard Geckos can get it straight from their food. They are most active during twilight hours, so bright lights can be pretty stressful for them, and in some cases strong UVB light can cause eye issues. So, I would recommend that you take the UVB bulb off. The infrared light is fine.

4.) It's great that you are helping her with the shedding issues. I have to help my gecko shed her feet every single time. And alternative to the shed-aid is just giving her warm baths for about 15 minutes. This helps to moisten the shed skin to help her get it off. If she still is having trouble, you can gently rub the skin with a Q-tip during the bath. Just don't pull the skin if it is still attached, be very gentle. Sometimes you might need to do this a few times to get it all off, but this method always works for my gecko.

Other than those couple things, just keep doing what you are doing. Other members may pop in and mention things I missed. I'm so happy that you took her in, she seems to be in good hands. Keep us updated!

**Elizabeth Freer** · #4 11-07-2011, 11:48 PM

Hi jsteele2 ~

A hearty welcome to Geckos Unlimited!

By the way, is your calcium with D3 phosphorus-free? Phosphorus interferes with the absorption of calcium. She should also have a dish of 100% pure calcium in her cage 24/7. Use either infrared bulbs or ceramic heat emitters to provide additional heat to your UTH, if necessary. White lights are too bright for leos and are a source of additional stress.

BTW, is her humid hide on the warm side of her tank? It is really difficult to establish a thermal gradient within a 10 gallon tank.

Check here for other suggestions: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/commu...11-update.html

jsteele2 · #5 11-08-2011, 05:01 PM

1.) She eats pretty regularly, every other day I've been feeding her 2 to 3 crickets since based on the disappearance of the ones I've left in her tank they have been eaten. All her food is dusted in calcium and I try to make it a daily routine of mixing some of the calcium with water and dropping little amounts onto her nose to lick off.

2.) The temperatures are pretty steadily 85 cold, 95 hot. Nighttime it probably drops to about 70 and 80. I have a stick thermometer and a normal one.

3.) The UVB is officially off (until I get my beardie).

4.) The shed-aid worked miracles this time so I'm going to make it a biweekly/monthly thing just to help her along.

Calcium with D3 is phosphorous free and her humid hide (which she loves dearly) is on the warm side but not directly over the heating pad. It's stuffed with some paper towels (she hated the moss).

Thanks so much for the response!

**Elizabeth Freer** · #6 11-08-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsteele2

1.) She eats pretty regularly, every other day I've been feeding her 2 to 3 crickets since based on the disappearance of the ones I've left in her tank they have been eaten. All her food is dusted in calcium and I try to make it a daily routine of mixing some of the calcium with water and dropping little amounts onto her nose to lick off.

2.) The temperatures are pretty steadily 85 cold, 95 hot. Nighttime it probably drops to about 70 and 80. I have a stick thermometer and a normal one.

3.) The UVB is officially off (until I get my beardie).

4.) The shed-aid worked miracles this time so I'm going to make it a biweekly/monthly thing just to help her along.

Calcium with D3 is phosphorous free and her humid hide (which she loves dearly) is on the warm side but not directly over the heating pad. It's stuffed with some paper towels (she hated the moss).

Thanks so much for the response!

You are most welcome. Is your phosphorus-free calcium with D3 current...not expired? I like the Rep-Cal brand.

Make sure you are just LIGHTLY dusting her prey 2-3x per week with the D3 calcium? Too much D3 is also problematic. I would just use it on her food, not drops on her nose. Does she have a water dish?

It is my understanding that MBD, if caught in the earliest stages, IS reversible.

A soak in warmish/tepid water helps loosen stuck shed.

I hope that you plan to house your leo separately from your beardie. (Have to ask just to make certain.) Leos do NOT need UVB.

jsteele2 · #7 11-09-2011, 06:29 AM

Thanks again for the detailed responses, and Elizabeth, beardie will most definitely be housed separately no worries there!

**Elizabeth Freer** · #8 11-09-2011, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsteele2

Thanks again for the detailed responses, and Elizabeth, beardie will most definitely be housed separately no worries there!

jsteele2 · #9 03-07-2012, 08:06 AM

Figured I'd throw an update up here it's been quite a while and I wanted to thank everyone for all their great help BECAUSE

My leo is alright now, been doing great for the past few months, hunts on its own and has a huge appetite! Front left leg appears to have suffered permanent damage from the MBD but it does not slow them down one bit.

Thanks again!

zelda · #10 03-07-2012, 10:53 AM

Great news

They have UVB in nature, and that's a lot stronger than the UVB lights you can buy.

If you choose to have UVB lights in the tank it's important that there are shadowy areas in the tank, other than the hides.

It's more accurate to say: They don't need it, but it's not bad either. After all, they have it in the wild.

I have it for my leos, but they also have a big tank, with many shadowy areas.