Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of my female cresties can't move her back legs. I took her out and she dragged her back legs behind her across my hand. There is a strange bump on the lower part of her spine. Could she have fallen and hurt herself? I don't think it could be MBD since she is fed the same way as my other two. I give them crickets (that are dusted with calcium and vitamins every other day), and babyfood. Has anyone had this happen to them? What did you do? How can I help her?

Thanks,
Randi

The dragging back legs and the bump are classic signs of MBD. I would bring him to the vet for proper treatment. In the meantime you should start dusting his crix with calcium daily (not vitamins). If he is with any other geckos, separate him to make sure he is eating enough. You can also leave a small dish of calcium (bone meal for example, don’t use the stuff you dust with; contains to many other things) in his cage for him to take it as he wants. For future reference you only really need vitamins once or twice a week. Minerals can be used every day or every other. I also suggest feeding crix using bowls to make sure the dust stays on them as it rubs off pretty quick running around the cage. You can also mix in minerals or vitamins when you feed fruit (1-2 times a week), which is a good way for administering it.
-Mike

I am sooo confused!!

I didn't think that cresties could get MBD?? I'm new to cresties though. I have a 5 month old, and dust w/calcium 3 times a week. Is this okay? Should I do it less/more? UVB bulbs are useless right? How do they get their calcium in the wild? Do you cut back when they get older? If so, how old?

Sorry for all the questions, I just THOUGHT that I had read everything about cresites. I guess they are like my beardies and you will never know everything...there is always something new to learn.

Thanks in advance.

Carrie

Any reptile can get MBD. And you are right UVB bulbs are useless for nocturnal animals. UVB bulbs help reptiles make vitamin D3, which in turn properly utilizes calcium. However D3 is provided in most reptile multivitamins. In the wild they get calcium from their food source. As far as my feeding schedule goes, every body gets Mineral-All daily and Herptivite or Gecko Performance Plus on the weekends. Spirulina and bee pollen is also mixed into their fruit when given. Breeding females get a dish of calcium (bone meal, not what you use for dusting), so they can freely take from it if they “feel” the need too.
-Mike

Thank you for clearing that up for me. I will increase the dusting.

Thanks again!

It's not MBD... the vet believe's it was a bacterial infection that the poor girl got when she was a baby and it deteriorates the bones, especially the spine. It's irreversable once it gets into the bones. Randi also told me that if this is in fact a previous bacterial infection, then she will have to be put down.

Randi is a good friend of mine, and I thought I would bring you guys up to date...

Take care -
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Tami
1 crestie - Spiderman
4 Leos - Buddy, Mystery, Bitsy & Guyko
3 Cats - Tabytha, Harley & Angel
1 Husband - Jason
3 Kids - Melissa, Matthew & Curtis

Are you sure this was a qualified reptile vet? If not I would make sure, I have seen some really bad calls from vets which cost the life of the animals. The symptoms Randi stated are text book descriptions for MBD in the later stages. I have never heard of it being caused by anything bacterial. Bacterial would mostly likely kill quicker too, MBD is a gradual deterioration. Check out the link for more info (its about iguana’s but it holds for any reptile) and Randi you should think about getting a second opinion. There is no reason to but the animal down, MBD can be treated. The limbs can return to use of properly treated, however any deformities of the bones will remain.
-Mike
MBD info

The vet I went to is a very good exotics vet. She is sending Grendel's x-rays to a specicalist at the local hospital to double check. She did tell me that what she thought it was was that Grendel had a bacterial infection that was left untreated. The infections spreads and enters the bones. Once there it starts to break them down. Since it was only in one spot the vet ruled out MBD. I was standing next to her when she read the x-rays so I saw them too. We also saw that her tail had been broken at some point in her early life. I know it wasn't with me since she came with her tail a little curve in it. I should hear back on Friday what the specialist says. I'll keep you informed. Thanks for passing on the info Tami.
Please keep your fingers crossed for her. If it is what the vet suspects Grendel's condition will only continue to deteriorate. She would have to be put down since she has little to no control over her back legs.
Randi

when i read your original post quickly, my first thought was MBD. Then I re-read it would have been very suprized if it had actually turned ut to be MBD. Mainly because of you supplementing schedule and the fact that the other two don't show any signs of illness. Though you can assume the other two may not be showing any symptoms yet(unlikely) or that you may be oversupplementing (also unlikely). Just out of curiousity, what supps. are you using? Good Luck, and keep us posted.
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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me

Randi,
Okay I just wanted to make sure, because it did sound ALOT like MBD. And I would hate to see an animal be put down before all options where exhausted. I don’t know what your housing setups are, but it is possible for an animal to get MBD if none of the others do. For example if your animals are housed together and one was not eating enough (hence not getting enough vitamins) due to competition. Otherwise the chances are very small; but there is always that if. Hopefully this bacterial thing can be treated no problems, ill keep my fingers crossed. Best of Luck!
-Mike