Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The Red Stripe I purchased in September seems to be having some serious development problems. Just recently I have found that her legs will not support her body and appear to be clubbed. This is making it extremely difficult for her to walk around. Secondly, I tried feeding her today and it seems like she's not capable of keeping her tounge inside of her mouth. When she would try to attack a mealworm she would bite and release because her tounge kept getting in the way. I thought about trying crickets but she can't move fast enough to catch them, and even if she did, she can't eat them. I'm trying some baby food tonight, hopefully she'll take. Any input is greatly appreciated.

-Patrick

Got her to lap up some baby food but I'm still very worried about her leg condition. Does anyone have any idea what this may be?

-Patrick

First off I would take her to a vet to have them checked out. The leg issue may be a calcium issue but the tongue really worries me.

I had a similar problem with my girl when she was about 6 months old because she wasn't getting enough calcium. One day I got up and her legs looked like they were on backwards. I found a vet and was there within 3 hours. They gave her a calcium injection and I started on a baby food/calcium slurry. Now at s yrs she's fine but has a little crook in her foot now and then.

I agree, it does sound a lot like a calium issue.

However, she definatly needs to see a vet asap, they will be able to determine whats actually going on and help you sort it out.

Whats her husbandry like?
- temps?
- calcium supplement schedule?
-----
1.1 Bearded Dragons
2.2 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Uromastyx (Mali)
1.1 Corn snakes
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
1.0 Rosy Boa
1.1 Green Anoles
1.1 House Geckos
0.0.2 Flying Geckos
0.0.1 Red Eye Tree Frog

For heat I'm using an under-tank heating pad. And her food gets calium coated every other feeding. However, it isn't the dust/powder form, it's the Fluker's spray bottle. She's seeing a vet tomorrow.

-Patrick

I dont trust the spray stuff - maybe just cause i dont have experience with it.

Good luck at the vet - if its calcium related the vet should be able to help you out.

Does she have a dish of calcium in her cage? This is always a must, regardless of how much you dust/sprasy the feeders
-----
1.1 Bearded Dragons
2.2 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Uromastyx (Mali)
1.1 Corn snakes
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
1.0 Rosy Boa
1.1 Green Anoles
1.1 House Geckos
0.0.2 Flying Geckos
0.0.1 Red Eye Tree Frog

We went to the vet today, and although she didn't recieve any booster shots, we were advised to switch to powder calium. The vet said the damage may not be able to be reversed, but there is no reason to not have a long-living, healthy gecko. The reason for her eating problem was due to the same issue, lack of calium. Her jaw bones are not strong enough to clamp or chew or whichever you prefer. So until she's up and about on her own, I'll be hand feeding.

-Patrick

If the condition is mild enough i have seen them turn around with just oral supplements and syringe feeding.

What are you using to feed her with? Make sure if you are using a slurry that you add LOTS of calcium, and give her a calium dish.

If you notice further progression then talk to the vet about getting an liquid oral supplement that is more powerful than powdered supplement.

The vet is correct, any bone damage will be permanant - weakness will get better though, the jaw bones will strengthen etc - although bone damage will not reverse, the muscles will strengthen to the point that she will be able to hold herself up better etc etc.

Results really vary on a case by case basis, just keep at it and see how she does!
-----
1.1 Bearded Dragons
2.2 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Uromastyx (Mali)
1.1 Corn snakes
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
1.0 Rosy Boa
1.1 Green Anoles
1.1 House Geckos
0.0.2 Flying Geckos
0.0.1 Red Eye Tree Frog