Does anyone have any tips on preventing metabolic bone disease in cresteds? My gecko has had it twice in the past, after the first time I did a lot of research and did a lot to prevent him from getting it again, but he still did. He has a uv light, lots of calcium, etc. Is there anything else I can do for him? Could it possibly even be a different disease or condition?
MBD prevention
- Thread starter dobby33
- Start date
AwsomeGeckos
New member
From my understanding CGD has everything a crested gecko need in it. But if your have problems with MBD just add a little calcium in the CGD when you make it.
Aimless
Super Moderator
you can also OD on calcium.
what is his diet (very specifically, please)? can you post a photo of your gecko?
where did you get him, how long have you had him, and why do you think he's had MBD twice in the past? it's not something that can ever be "cured", although it can be corrected somewhat and kept from worsening.
what is his diet (very specifically, please)? can you post a photo of your gecko?
where did you get him, how long have you had him, and why do you think he's had MBD twice in the past? it's not something that can ever be "cured", although it can be corrected somewhat and kept from worsening.
Completeleopard
New member
Too much D3 and Calcium can also cause issues.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
In addition to your crestie's diet, please share specifics on the brand, type, strength of the UV you are providing, how many hours a day the UV is on, and a picture of his vivarium.
Are you using pure calcium?
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Thank you all for replying, sorry I took so long to get back. I can't get any pictures at this very moment as my good camera is being used by a friend. I'll describe his enclosure to you the best that I can. Since his MBD has started coming back, I've switched to paper towel substrate. He has lots of artificial plants and thicker sticks to climb and hide in.
As for my gecko's diet, I feed him crickets and repashy crested gecko diet with added calcium. The bulb I am using is made by Zoo Med and is a 13 watt tropical mini compact fluorescent 5.0 uvb bulb. I have it on him all day, just turning it off at night.
Aimless- The only physical deformity I can see on my gecko is that his lower jaw is very weak. He doesn't have a tail and his spine and limbs seem to be perfectly normal. He is also very lethargic and doesn't move around much. Usually even during the day he is relatively active so this is unusual for him. Thanks for all your advice!
As for my gecko's diet, I feed him crickets and repashy crested gecko diet with added calcium. The bulb I am using is made by Zoo Med and is a 13 watt tropical mini compact fluorescent 5.0 uvb bulb. I have it on him all day, just turning it off at night.
Aimless- The only physical deformity I can see on my gecko is that his lower jaw is very weak. He doesn't have a tail and his spine and limbs seem to be perfectly normal. He is also very lethargic and doesn't move around much. Usually even during the day he is relatively active so this is unusual for him. Thanks for all your advice!
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Hi dobby33 ~
Your crestie has what looks like a "rubber jaw", a symptom of MBD.
1. How is his climbing? Can he still climb the walls of his enclosure?
2. Is the Zoo Med 13 watt mini compact 5.0 bulb blocked by a screen top? How new is it? How long have you been using it?
3. Was the combination of a UVB 5.0 bulb + Repashy's with D3 recommended by a vet?
4. Is your crestie also getting vitamin D3 via Repashy's powdered diet? Since you are feeding a powdered diet (probably with vitamin D3) I would not use a UVB bulb as well. Have you been adding calcium to the Repashy's?
The powdered crestie diets are designed to be all-in-one diets. Repashy's diets have gone through some changes with some "newer" ones not being as effective. I do not have details on which version is which. Keepers have had success using the Pangea powdered diets.
5. Depending upon the ambient room temps I would go with a low wattage regular incandescent for a little heat (25 watt?). Then I would either use a powdered diet such as one of the Pangea crestie diets or feed crickets lightly dusted with Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 (not every feeding) with supplemental fruit now and then.
Once MBD has begun, the symptoms can only be controlled. :-(
6. Please post a picture of your crestie's enclosure. Is it a vertical or horizontal set up? Where is the UVB bulb? What are the dimensions of the enclosure?
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. Here is a picture of his enclosure. I've recently removed one of his plants as he seemed to be getting stuck in it a lot. I think I'm going to keep the light on him at least for now because that's what seemed to help him last time he had MBD. After what you said about the newer types if repashy I've stopped feeding it to him and gone back to mashed bananas with added calcium until the different crested gecko diet I ordered comes in. Also, I haven't taken him to a vet yet, everything I've found out is from the internet and a friend who's had experience with MBD. Thank you both very much for the advice!
the_sneetch
New member
With a gecko in that terrible condition, feeling banana with calcium is a horrible step in the wrong direction. I would feed one of the diets, Repashy or Pangea exclusively. Do not add anything!!! When you add you mess with the ratios. Your gecko most likely has permanent deformities. The best you can do is feed a proper diet.
Aimless
Super Moderator
I agree with the_sneetch. over- and under-supplementation will both cause problems, and his best shot at controlling the MBD is to feed a very controlled diet.
given the problems with his jaw and spine, I think it might be difficult for him to hunt crickets. an MRP (powdered diet) is really going to the be the best here for your gecko.
I would also add some more foliage to his cage. if he feels stressed and exposed, it will also affect his health.
given the problems with his jaw and spine, I think it might be difficult for him to hunt crickets. an MRP (powdered diet) is really going to the be the best here for your gecko.
I would also add some more foliage to his cage. if he feels stressed and exposed, it will also affect his health.
Humane way to euthanize beloved gecko.
I really hate to have to post something like this, but here I go. Dobby, (my gecko) is suffering and is in extreme pain. Over the past two weeks or so his condition has only gone downhill. The last time he had MBD I was able to "cure" it relatively quickly. Poor Dobby has been trying to shed for about three days now to no avail. I'm wondering if there is a quick, safe, and humane way to euthanize a gecko. I love him so much and it absolutely kills me to see him suffering like this. I don't have kids, but I love him like my own child. I would not be posting this if it was not my last resort. It would be unfair and selfish of me to allow him to keep "living" like this. He's not living. He's surviving at best. The only time he's moved in the last week is when I go to feed and water him. I really need some advice, and fast.
I really hate to have to post something like this, but here I go. Dobby, (my gecko) is suffering and is in extreme pain. Over the past two weeks or so his condition has only gone downhill. The last time he had MBD I was able to "cure" it relatively quickly. Poor Dobby has been trying to shed for about three days now to no avail. I'm wondering if there is a quick, safe, and humane way to euthanize a gecko. I love him so much and it absolutely kills me to see him suffering like this. I don't have kids, but I love him like my own child. I would not be posting this if it was not my last resort. It would be unfair and selfish of me to allow him to keep "living" like this. He's not living. He's surviving at best. The only time he's moved in the last week is when I go to feed and water him. I really need some advice, and fast.
