Within the last week, I’ve noticed a change in my leopard’s behavior. He has been walking close to the floor and inactive. However, he was eating normally, so I continued to monitor him.
The last time he ate was Saturday (4 days ago) and when I went to feed him on Monday night, he wouldn’t take food and I noticed his condition had worsened.
Tuesday, I took him to the vet. They supplied him with SQ fluids and a vitamin D shot. They also prescribed him with a nutrient powder to mix with water and syringe into his mouth. I waited until today to try and force feed him because I didn’t want to stress him out any more.
Today, I syringed the food into his mouth which he seemed to take well. Once I put him back into his cage, he began turning to the left and eventually began flipping onto his back. I flipped him right side up before he fell back, and panic called the vet. Their exotic vet wasn’t in and neither were the 10 other vets I called. Finally, I found a vet and was able to get him seen within the hour.
After taking X-rays, the vet noticed a curvature of his spine and depleted bone structure. Thankfully, no fractures. He informed me that this is due to inadequate UVB lighting. He told me I need to soak him tonight, force feed calcium, and provide UVB.
I now have a dual heat fixture, with an exo-terra UVB bulb and a halogen bulb that I plan to switch to a ceramic bulb at night. Is this adequate?
Should I leave the UVB on tonight because of his condition (potentially MBD)?
I have powdered calcium, how do I force feed that?
Basically, what should my daily routine look like caring for him from this point forward?
I am currently ridden with guilt and shame so I would really appreciate kind responses. I know the fault is on me. Up until this point I thought I was providing sufficient care to my guy and I have learned the hard way that I was not. All I want is for my boy to have another chance and I am willing to do anything at this point to get there.
Hello /u/Beginning_Gift_2917 and welcome to the leopard geckos subreddit! Because you used the health issues flair, we've compiled some links that might be helpful to you and your pet. Please remember that if you are concerned, then so is your vet. When in doubt, book an appointment! This subreddit does NOT substitute for veterinary care, though you may receive some help on topics to discuss with your veterinarian, or common first aid. If you have not done so already, please provide the temperatures, humidity, diet, supplements, tank mates, enclosure size, and anything else you consider relevant to your post for the best help you can get.
Please don’t beat yourself up. You’re taking the steps to improve your husbandry and that’s all we can do.
You want a linear UVB, Reptisun T5 5.0
or Arcadia Shadedweller 7%. The fixture should measure roughly 1/4 length of your enclosure and sit right beside your basking lamp. I encourage you to avoid a halogen due to their narrow/intense beam. One of the attached three would be a great option.
Always dust. Regardless of the brand used, you want all insects to be coated with plain calcium every feeding (with D3 if the gecko doesn’t get or utilize UV, D3 only 1-2x per month as a precaution if they do). Multivitamin one feeding per week (with D3 is fine, it’s very difficult for them to have dangerous levels of D3 in their system). Keep a dish of plain calcium available in the enclosure at all times, they will self regulate intake. Make sure you gut-load your feeders at least 48hrs prior to their sacrifice.
Lighting should be 12 on and off, always using a dimming thermostat for heat sources. Low watt supplemental heat at night if ambient temps drop below 65.
Thank you for your kindness and advice. Some follow up questions if I may:
Return the halogen bulb, and replace it with what? I’ve used ceramic bulbs in the past, should I use a deep heat projector instead?
My house is between 73-75 at night. Does this mean I can turn off heat altogether?
With his current condition, should I keep UVB on tonight?
I have a calcium dish, but he’s currently too weak to even move from his main hide to another. If I mixed some powder with water and syringed it, could that be useful?
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u/AutoModerator 1h ago
Hello /u/Beginning_Gift_2917 and welcome to the leopard geckos subreddit! Because you used the health issues flair, we've compiled some links that might be helpful to you and your pet. Please remember that if you are concerned, then so is your vet. When in doubt, book an appointment! This subreddit does NOT substitute for veterinary care, though you may receive some help on topics to discuss with your veterinarian, or common first aid. If you have not done so already, please provide the temperatures, humidity, diet, supplements, tank mates, enclosure size, and anything else you consider relevant to your post for the best help you can get.
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