Calcium Problem

[sjhouse]

I was wondering if anyone could help me with a problem I'm having...We have two crested geckos. One we've had for over a month. We just got the other one about a week ago. I was at a pet store and the owner was going to put him to sleep because he had a calcium deficiency problem. I told him I would take the gecko. He was eating when he was in the store, but he hasn't eaten much since we got him. He is very tiny for his age due to the calcium problem. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for this???

[MrBoy]

You could try dropper feeding as a stop gap - either squash the fruit/insects down then syringe feed.

It might also be worth consulting a Rep Vet in order for a calcium Boost to be administered.

Best of Luck

Ben

[RangerGrrl]

If you can, get him a no-heat (flourescent) UVA/UVB bulb and use that during the day. He can generate his own D3 that way, then you can just feed him plain calcium. Take some fruit babyfood (apricot and peach seem to be big favorites) mix in 3 parts of that and one part chicken babyfood, then dose it heavily with calcium. Thin it down enough to syringe feed, or see if he'll lick it off your finger.

Another option is to buy liquid calcium in the pediatric section of your local pharmacy (calcium glubionate?) and see if you can get him to hand feed on a little of that. A vet visit would really be best, though. If you get to go, bring a fecal sample if you can get a fresh one. That way they can make sure he doesn't have other things weakening him too.
Good luck with the little guy.

[sjhouse]

Thanks for the help guys...I actually took him to the vet and found out that he has a respiratory infection. He is on antibiotics right now, so he's not eating too much because the medicine makes his stomach hurt. The vet told me that he should regain his appetite when he recovers from the infection

[Jillie]

Hope he pulls through and makes up for lost meals :D

[Chao0104]

I hope he makes it, good luck!(not being sarcastic) :D

[PCherper]

i Hope he makes it im happy you took it though post later about what happens!

[sjhouse]

Thanks again guys...he has already started to gain his appetite back, though he only eats babyfood...i guess that is good enough for now, though!!!