How to help my new rescued crested gecko with metabolic bone disease?

An immediate check up at your local veterinarian would be essential to make sure right supplementation of calcium is given to cure MBD. Diagnosis requires often a radiographic study to make sure MBD is affecting him. Generally speaking full-spectrum UVB-producing bulbs should be used within the terrarium and calcium and vitamin D supplements can be given through plant material or insects. I would suggest anyway to have him checked before start any supplement (as toxicity from overdosage of Ca and VitD are quite common as well!). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Hello, I’m glad you are taking steps to correct the MBD. Oral calcium is important as well as vitamin A and hydration. I like Repashy vitamin A dust on crickets every 2 weeks and calcium powder dust with every other feeding. Make sure the humidity stays above 50-60%. This is very hard inside in the winter so it will be a constant battle. Gut load and dust all insects fed, if you have a drip or misting system, ensure that is working well. The UVB light should be changed every 6 months. MBD lizards are at higher risk of infections and fractures so keep a close eye on his appetite and activity. Pad branches and lower branches if he seems unsteady. Most of all, be patient. Reptiles take a long time to get sick and take just as long to recover. It can take several months for him to bounce back, and any distortion or trauma to his bones may always be noticeable. If you’d like to discuss this more, don’t hesitate to request a consult. Take care!

Usually the treatment is based on dietary improvements, calcium and vitamin D supplements, and greater access to full-spectrum ultraviolet light. More severe cases require calcium and vitamin D injections, oral supplements, fluid therapy, and nutritional support.

If MBD is suspected you have to make sure all the lights are adequate as this can play a very important role in the calcium metabolism. it's recommended to start the treatment with a Calcium injection, try to check with some regular vets in your area of living, they all have injectable calcium in their clinic, hopefully they will be willing to treat them.

Bump the temperature up to between 26 and 28 C. It's a small change, but 25C may be a bit to cool for Gargoyle geckos. Low temps can affect appetite and activity. The heat mat should be on one half of the tank. Lights can be turned off at night, but the heat source should stay on if nighttime temps drop. Makes sure the diet contains adequate amounts of vitamin D3. Without it, he is at risk of developing metabolic bone disease (MBD). A recommended diet is Repashy Crested Gecko diet. It is a powdered diet that can be reconstituted as needed. It can be found online or in most pet stores. The locusts fed should be gut loaded 24 hours prior to feeding. If he has a healthy appetite, submit a stool sample to your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose intestinal parasites. An exam with an​ experienced herp veterinarian would be strongly recommended to diagnose metabolic bone disease and to begin treatment. Supportive care may be indicated in light of the recent rapid weight loss.

Thanks for reaching out about Leafy. Seizures in reptiles can definitely due to calcium deficiencies, either lacking in the diet, too cold of an environ or lack of UVB exposure. Diet and husbandry to be corrected, but a veterinary visit can provide injections of these medications, and anti-seizure medications during recovery. Mealworms kept in the refrigerator or crickets straight from the store are insufficient. All insects need to be gut-loaded with dark greens and red/yellow/orange vegetables. Good luck.

Overall, she looks quite thin. The kinks in the tail may be an early indication of metabolic bone disease (MBD). 21 C is a bit cool for her. Cresties do best between 25.5 C and 27.7 C Ideally, she should be evaluated by your veterinarian to confirm and treat MBD or other illness/infection. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. IN the meantime, you can review care at the link below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Crested-Gecko/