Clarification on Feeding schedule/cricket food

[buppiboyo12]

Hi all,

I've noticed that my leopard gecko, Alan, has developed armpit bubbles, getting larger within the recent month. After reading a few threads on here, I came to the conclusion that I may not be dusting my crickets correctly. I learned that MBD can also be a result of vitamin overkill. He's a chunky lizard now and I am trying to fix that.

So here's my routine/schedule:
Monday: Zoo Med calcium with D3
Thursday: Reptivite multivitamin w/o D3

How much is too much? I usually fill a ziploc bag with some supplement, throw the crickets in, and lightly shake it to make sure there isn't a ton of supplement on em. There's always that one dead cricket that gets covered in it though.

I'm seeking clarification on how much supplement I should be using each week.

I also wanted to know if my crickets are getting the right vitamins they need as well. I give them:
Zoo Med's adult beardie food (crush it up then put in on a sauce cup lid)
Apples, carrots, or strawberries (typically whatever safe cricket fruits/veggies I have in the house atm; it's been apples usually for the past couple of months.

Please tell me if there's something I'm doing wrong or how I can help Alan lose some weight. I don't want him at risk of MBD

THANK YOU for your time.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi Brooke ~ I've missed you.

Please share a current pic of Alan so we have more to go on.

The best way for Alan to lose weight is to reduce the amount you're feeding him at each feeding. Keep the supplement schedule the same. If you use Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 less than at 1 feeding per week, you'll probably run the risk of MBD. Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 is perfect to use at 1 feeding per week. Keep the Reptivite without D3 the same too.

Plastic ziplocs vs deli cups for powdered supplements:
If too much powder is sticking to the bugs, place the powder in a tall deli cup. Then add crickets. Swirl. Then bounce the crickets against the bottom of the container by shaking it up and down. For me that's much easier than placing the crickets in a ziploc bag.

When you use apples to feed the crickets, be sure to remove the seeds.