Hi everyone! I was wondering if I could get some help? I have a Male Crested Gecko who has not been eating for over a month now unless I force feed him (rubbing food on his jaws) He has also just recently developed swelling on his front legs.... He has lost a significant amount of weight, is lethargic, won't eat on his own.... Before this he ate mealworms like a monster, obviously offered CGD but he usually went for the worms.... I was suggested to force him to only eat CGD and to just leave it in there until he ate it, changing it when it needed to be.... I am not 100% sure exactly what happened or what to do about... any advice would be appreciated... Thanks in advance!
Crested gecko not eating.... Swollen arms...
- Thread starter Aphadale
- Start date
JessJohnson87
New member
Not a crested expert but I would take him to the vet. Maybe someone else can weigh in that knows cresties.
I would love to... Unfortunately we don't have the money to at the time... I know it was pretty irresponsible of me to get one without thinking of possible hiccups... Hence why I'm posting here to see if anyone has had the same issues and has gone to the vet... Thank you so much though.
JessJohnson87
New member
I found a care sheet on them.
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...s-care-sheet-correlophus-ciliatus-basics.html
In his care sheet he states not to feed them mealworms, they contain too much chitin for a crestie to digest. Are you dusting them with calcium powder because the swollen limbs could indicate metabolic bone disease, which if not treated can become fatal.
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...s-care-sheet-correlophus-ciliatus-basics.html
In his care sheet he states not to feed them mealworms, they contain too much chitin for a crestie to digest. Are you dusting them with calcium powder because the swollen limbs could indicate metabolic bone disease, which if not treated can become fatal.
I know feeding them Mealies could be a potential risk, but he had been eating them for six months straight, perfectly healthy, never missed a shed or poop, growing at a normal rate and then all of a sudden just stopped.... I was dusting them on occasions so as not to create a calcium build-up, but he wouldn't touch them after i left the CGD in and took the bugs out, now he won't eat anything unless I paint it on his face... If anyone knew a possible home remedy, or could suggest something to do I would very much appreciate it...
JessJohnson87
New member
Take a picture of him and post it.
maybe [MENTION=39917]CrestedRick[/MENTION], [MENTION=53418]CrestedL[/MENTION] or [MENTION=36680]Aimless[/MENTION] can help shed some light on this situation.
maybe [MENTION=39917]CrestedRick[/MENTION], [MENTION=53418]CrestedL[/MENTION] or [MENTION=36680]Aimless[/MENTION] can help shed some light on this situation.
CrestedRick
Active member
Just because he eats something doesn't mean you should feed him that and especially since you know they aren't healthy for them. That aside, I would definitely get him to a vet bc there could be a backup in his system but as far as that goes I would try anything to get him to eat. Stick to cgd and avoid bugs. He could be refusing bc he's putting up a fight sort of like when you first buy one they do a hunger strike. But definitely take him to a vet too.
I understand that just because something will readily eat one thing or another doesn't make it good for them, however I didn't want him to starve... If I could take him to the vet, I would've but again I don't have the money to pay for it at the moment, I am looking for suggestions as to what others have done to prevent or treat MBD.
JessJohnson87
New member
Once an animal has MBD, it can not be reversed. Supplementing pure calcium with NO D3(they will still need some D3 once a week to help absorb the calcium), mixed into the CGD can help but it will not fully cure it. I would call around to vets in your area that deal with exotic animals and try to price it out. It could be MBD or it could be something else. Rubbery jaw and deformed limbs are the most usual sign but I also read that swollen limbs could be to.
When you do feed bugs, crickets or roaches, they have less chitin. Repashy and Pangea are good CGD diets to think about to.
When you do feed bugs, crickets or roaches, they have less chitin. Repashy and Pangea are good CGD diets to think about to.
CrestedL
New member
Swollen arms could be a sign of MBD, mealworms are not the optimal bug for Cresteds as they are more popular with leos, crickets or dubais are normally used for Cresteds. You need to take him to the vet for a better diagnostic, also send pictures please as that would help further
For some reason my computer is not allowing me to upload pictures... I was looking at them for comparison and his front legs have basically grown to twice the size as they used to be, but he has lost so much weight he seems deflated. He is having regular poops, but is eating hardly anything. Also I can not get roaches as I am in Canada, Dubias are illegal to have or sell or anything like that, but I can try crickets... If he won't eat them I have others that will... Thanks.
Revasius
New member
I have a rescue crestie who had a minor case of MBD, so I might be able to help.
That sounds like a pretty severe case of MBD to me. Once the swelling gets to the leg and arm joints, then it can be fatal to the gecko. Is there any swelling or mushy spots on the jaw? This means your gecko is pretty far gone, I´m afraid. You said that you only dusted the mealworms on occasion? Part of the problem lies there. Without the CGD in the diet to provide necessary vitamins and calcium, occasionally dusted mealworms is not nearly enough for a crested. As well, mealworms are not great for cresties, as they are very difficult to digest. If you had fed CGD with a treat of dusted crickets or roaches maybe once or twice a week, then the gecko would have had sufficient calcium levels.
At this point, get your gecko´s calcium levels up by allowing them to lick some calcium WITH D3 (Unless yours has access to a UVB lamp, then use calcium WITHOUT D3). Allow the gecko to lap up a small amount every other day for about a week. (And by a very small amount, I mean maybe 3 or so good licks, and then put the animal away. If you can afford it, get a UVB lamp. I know, they are pricy, but it may drastically improve your gecko´s lethargy. As well, stop feeding insects entirely. Only provide the gecko with plenty of water and a bowl of CGD. Since yours seems to have a serious calcium deficiency, I would add a tiny amount of calcium with d3 (unless you get that UVB lamp) to the food, but only every few days. (Maybe 1/16th of a teaspoon, I´m talking small amounts here.) The CGD has proper calcium levels that you don´t want to throw off, but if your gecko is too weak to eat, it needs calcium desperately. As well, remove any tall branches that the gecko can fall from, and move it into a smaller tank if possible. (Like a 5 gallon or even a Kritter Keeper), just so you can monitor it better.
Good luck! I am wishing you the best with your gecko!
That sounds like a pretty severe case of MBD to me. Once the swelling gets to the leg and arm joints, then it can be fatal to the gecko. Is there any swelling or mushy spots on the jaw? This means your gecko is pretty far gone, I´m afraid. You said that you only dusted the mealworms on occasion? Part of the problem lies there. Without the CGD in the diet to provide necessary vitamins and calcium, occasionally dusted mealworms is not nearly enough for a crested. As well, mealworms are not great for cresties, as they are very difficult to digest. If you had fed CGD with a treat of dusted crickets or roaches maybe once or twice a week, then the gecko would have had sufficient calcium levels.
At this point, get your gecko´s calcium levels up by allowing them to lick some calcium WITH D3 (Unless yours has access to a UVB lamp, then use calcium WITHOUT D3). Allow the gecko to lap up a small amount every other day for about a week. (And by a very small amount, I mean maybe 3 or so good licks, and then put the animal away. If you can afford it, get a UVB lamp. I know, they are pricy, but it may drastically improve your gecko´s lethargy. As well, stop feeding insects entirely. Only provide the gecko with plenty of water and a bowl of CGD. Since yours seems to have a serious calcium deficiency, I would add a tiny amount of calcium with d3 (unless you get that UVB lamp) to the food, but only every few days. (Maybe 1/16th of a teaspoon, I´m talking small amounts here.) The CGD has proper calcium levels that you don´t want to throw off, but if your gecko is too weak to eat, it needs calcium desperately. As well, remove any tall branches that the gecko can fall from, and move it into a smaller tank if possible. (Like a 5 gallon or even a Kritter Keeper), just so you can monitor it better.
Good luck! I am wishing you the best with your gecko!
CrestedL
New member
Once again, another reason why pictures are crucial to this, aside from this I would once again suggest a vet visit, if he's too far into MBD though it may be humane to euthanize him to stop his suffering
Aimless
Super Moderator
overdose on vitamin A causes swollen limbs and gout in chameleons...kidney and/or liver disease can also cause retained fluids, and that can happen for a variety of reasons.
given his diet has been mainly mealworms, I think you can be certain his problem is a nutritional deficiency, but you can't be certain it's MBD without a vet visit. yes, I saw that you don't think you can take him in, but if it's not MBD you could make him OD on calcium.
given his diet has been mainly mealworms, I think you can be certain his problem is a nutritional deficiency, but you can't be certain it's MBD without a vet visit. yes, I saw that you don't think you can take him in, but if it's not MBD you could make him OD on calcium.