N. milii juvenile - strange walk?

[Mel]

Hi there.

I've just bought an N. milii female who hatched last November so she's still quite young. As I've never kept one before I am maybe worrying about nothing but I've noticed her legs are kinda "rubbery" and she seems to walk on them strangely. Her right front leg in particular. She has no problems getting around, and lifts it up without a problem, but it almost looks as if the frontmost limb is bent at a very strange angle. Is this normal while they're so young? Or do I just have a quirky gecko? Like I said, it actually doesn't seem to bother her at all, but it's worried her new mother (me).

 

[oscar]

let me first say welcome to our forum Mel
second, let me preface this by saying that i have no experience with any geckos in this subforum.
now that aside, my first instinct is that if there is something wrong it may be calcium shortage and the beginnings of MBD (metabolic bone disease). you little guy's bones are losing their calcium and getting rubbery like you said. are you dusting his crickets w/ calcium powder? make sure you do that and if he seems to get any worse.. shaking, listlessness.. take him to a herp vet and/or get some calcium drops.

now.. if i am offbase here, all you experienced aussie gecko owners correct me.

Scott

 

[Mel]

Thanks for the welcome and the advice. I have just spoken to her previous owner who has kept her with another female gecko in the same tank. Apparently she dusted her crickets with Calcium but couldn't guarantee that the small juvenile was getting enough dusted crickets. I've been dusting the crickets and have definitely seen her eating but I guess something like that is not cured overnight. Give her a couple of weeks before I do more do you think, or invest in some calcium drops now?

 

[oscar]

i would say it couldnt hurt. i, thankfully, havent ever had any calcium problems so i dont know whats the typical regimen. i have heard though that calcium defeciencies can kill a gecko quickly so maybe it would be a good thing.

hopefully some of the more expereinced members here will chip in.

Scott

 

[Nathan Hall]

Calcium recommendation is great, but remember that calcium should be used in conjunction with some form of D3 ( UV, powder, suspension, etc.). Vitamin D, which can be considered a vitamin or hormone, regulates blood calcium levels, so you can see why it is so important. If the kidneys or liver are not functioning properly, vitamin D will not be activated.

Also, welcome to our little corner of the internet.

 

[Mel]

Thanks again guys, have ordered some calcium drops and will continue dusting the crickets, hopefully she improves. Her previous owner offered me a refund but really I just want her to be healthy.

That's cool about the vitamin D, too, the calcium powder I have says " Ultimate Calcium assists in balancing the calciumhosphorous ratio by producing a natural phosphorous free calcium source together with vitamin D3 to assist in absorption from the intestinal tract. Ultimate Calcium is manufactured from oyster shell ground to an ultra fine powder with added vitamin D3."

Many thanks once more

 

[oscar]

see.. the guys here know there shizznit! :lol:

Nathan, could you clear this up for me? D3 can be manufactured by absorbtion of UVB? so animals that bask in the natural sunlight or captive animals that receive UVB do not need D3 supplemention? so, for example, a bearded dragon doesnt require D3 cause he will get it manufactured by the UVB he absorbs, where as a crested requires D3 supplementation?
is this correct or am i totally off?

Scott

 

[Nathan Hall]

You are right on the money.