where is the care sheet?
- Thread starter HeKai
- Start date
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Ceri ~
Some people say that even a small bottle cap of pure calcium carbonate in the enclosure 24/7 (as recommended in my leo caresheet) is unnecessary and may not even be a good idea.
It is important to take calcium with food. If a leo only licks the plain calcium carbonate in the tank infrequently, it may be alright. If one sees a leopard gecko lick this calcium frequently, something else is amiss.
Perhaps breeding females will have a greater need for plain calcium carbonate as in the NOW brand.
What is important is supplying leos with calcium with D3 on a regular basis. D3 is necessary to metabolize the calcium. I recommend a very light dusting of a D3 based supplement 2x per week. I prefer Zoo Med's Reptivite with D3. Zoo Med also makes Repti-Calcium with D3.
Were you able to find either of the above supplements?
So maybe I should post a video keeping in mind I can be a bit of a hypochondriac on behalf of my gecko 
He is fine when he move quickly but is kind of shaky (and always has been) when moving slowly. I am not as consistent as I would like with his vitamin dusting (Repashy, been told it is really good) because I find it hard to predict when he will eat. Also, things like crickets left for him to hunt may start out dusted but don't stay that way.
I was thinking some calcium in a dish to see what he would do and in case he needed it. But if it is not a good idea then I won't do it.
He is fine when he move quickly but is kind of shaky (and always has been) when moving slowly. I am not as consistent as I would like with his vitamin dusting (Repashy, been told it is really good) because I find it hard to predict when he will eat. Also, things like crickets left for him to hunt may start out dusted but don't stay that way.
I was thinking some calcium in a dish to see what he would do and in case he needed it. But if it is not a good idea then I won't do it.
cricket4u
New member
Hello Hekai,
What I would highly recommend is to find an experienced reptile vet for guidance. You can always call and ask if the veterinarian is experienced in leos beforehand. There's a plague of neglected leopard geckos everywhere making them quite common in practice.
You can always come back and discuss the recommendations with other keepers if you feel uncomfortable. Write down all the questions you can think of on a piece of paper and take it with you. Also take the supplement bottles and make sure the vet acknowledges the contents.
The recommendation given by others may not be appropriate for your individual gecko and can do more harm than good. Down the line you can return for a follow up, have a radiograph to check bone density and blood work (calcium level) if applicable. You may come home happy and relieved at the fact you have done a good job or you may need to make adjustments. This is the only way to know for sure instead of sitting home pulling your hair out.
What I would highly recommend is to find an experienced reptile vet for guidance. You can always call and ask if the veterinarian is experienced in leos beforehand. There's a plague of neglected leopard geckos everywhere making them quite common in practice.
You can always come back and discuss the recommendations with other keepers if you feel uncomfortable. Write down all the questions you can think of on a piece of paper and take it with you. Also take the supplement bottles and make sure the vet acknowledges the contents.
The recommendation given by others may not be appropriate for your individual gecko and can do more harm than good. Down the line you can return for a follow up, have a radiograph to check bone density and blood work (calcium level) if applicable. You may come home happy and relieved at the fact you have done a good job or you may need to make adjustments. This is the only way to know for sure instead of sitting home pulling your hair out.
Last edited:
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
How about posting a video of this leo, Ceri? I realize vets which specialize in herps are scarce where you live.
cricket4u
New member
A few true story brief examples of why asking people on the internet to guess a diagnosis is a terrible idea.
1) Gecko has hindlimb paresis- Someone on the internet tells the owner it must be calcium deficiency, increases the calcium and d3. Luckily, the owner made the smart decision to take the gecko to the vet.
Cause - hindleg paralysis due to large impacted superworm.
2)Gecko has muscle twitching, once again someone on a forum tells the person it's calcium deficiency. The owner increases the calcium and d3 without any success.
Cause- Vitamin deficiency- not calcium or d3
3) Gecko's head is in a strange position (how it was described to me a year later), someone tells them their leo has Enigma syndrome because it's an Enigma.
Cause- Infection spread to the brain causing neurological symptoms.
This is why hands on examination by an experienced vet is very important. Shaking, tremors, twitches, etc. can be a symptom of many conditions.
1) Gecko has hindlimb paresis- Someone on the internet tells the owner it must be calcium deficiency, increases the calcium and d3. Luckily, the owner made the smart decision to take the gecko to the vet.
Cause - hindleg paralysis due to large impacted superworm.
2)Gecko has muscle twitching, once again someone on a forum tells the person it's calcium deficiency. The owner increases the calcium and d3 without any success.
Cause- Vitamin deficiency- not calcium or d3
3) Gecko's head is in a strange position (how it was described to me a year later), someone tells them their leo has Enigma syndrome because it's an Enigma.
Cause- Infection spread to the brain causing neurological symptoms.
This is why hands on examination by an experienced vet is very important. Shaking, tremors, twitches, etc. can be a symptom of many conditions.