Help! Gecko can't walk - possible MBD?

Izzy's Mom

New member
Hi everyone,
I've owned crested geckos for over 10 years now, and my youngest is 8.5 years old now - his name is Dusty. I hatched him from an egg and have cared for him all his life.

Over the past week, I would always find him sleeping on his ledge, and I figured that was his new sleeping spot. I don't handle my geckos too often, so it wasn't until Saturday when I noticed that he was sleeping with his back legs hanging off the shelf that I reached in to help him into a more comfortable position. It was then I realized that his legs were not moving properly. They were weak and had tremors and could not support the weight of his body. Same with his front legs, although he can move them a bit better.

I moved him to a hospital tank, and have been hand-feeding for the last 2 days. He will eat and drink and seems alert and responsive, but he can't really move around - he just lays flat on his belly like a starfish.

My immediate concern is MBD, but I can't think HOW on earth he could get that. I have 5 geckos total, and all live in similar setups - live planted vivariums, with temps around 70-75 and humidity around 60-70. They only eat Pangea Crested Gecko diet (I buy about 5 different flavors and rotate, including one with insects in it). I've had them all for over 8 years and none of the others are having any issues.

I can treat for MBD, but i also don't want to overdose him if this is not the right diagnosis. I was able to get him a vet appointment this afternoon, but figured I would check here to see if anyone has any feedback.
 

Izzy's Mom

New member
UPDATE: The vet saw Dusty today and does NOT think he has MBD. He is at a loss to explain his condition. He said Dusty's bones all look good and strong, and that it's more of a muscular issue or some type of systemic illness. Just to be safe, he gave an injection of calcium and an antibiotic as well. He said there's not much else we can do when it comes to diagnostics. Any suggestions would be great.
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Thanks for updating.

  1. Did your vet x-ray Dusty's bones to determine bone density?
  2. Are your Pangea powdered diets current?
 

Izzy's Mom

New member
The vet did not perform an x-ray, he said he examined him fully and saw no other signs that would indicate MBD. He doesn't have any swelling in the limbs and his jaw is nice and rigid. My Pangea foods are all current, opened within the past couple months... and I have 4 other geckos all eating the same thing with no issues.
This condition seems to have come on rather suddenly... so I'm not sure if it's some kind of internal condition he's developed or if he is reacting to something in his environment. Could he have possibly been poisoned by something? A plant? Or something in the substrate? Or would that have manifested more intensely and not have lasted this long?
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
UPDATE: Poor Dusty passed away this morning :cry:

I'm so sorry your Dusty passed away today. Here's a rose to ease your pain.

16729206_1460329410668624_452685343935126036_n.jpg

Perhaps his cause of death was neurological like a stroke. Sometimes we never know what exactly happened at the end even with a necropsy, even with a histopathology. :cry:
 
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