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Update of Urgent Medical Problem

Chiron Dec 16, 2003 03:54 PM

thank you for your help I took her(Coral)to the vet. You guys were right, they said it was probably a calcium deficency. It's weird though because the crickets were gut loaded and dusted twice a week. The other female gecko in the cage with her who Ive had even longer than Coral is doing okay and has no problems so i dont understand how one could be doing so bad when the other is okay. The vet said something about how he usually treats larger lizards and that some of the ones he had treated although kept in perfect care still developed calcium deficencies no matter what the owners did. As i said my other two cresteds (one in the same cage and the other in his own) are doing well, and Ive had the male for about 2 and a half years. Is it common in geckos that some just dont absorb calcium as well? is it in their genetics or something? is coral going to have to get special treatment her whole life? does anyone else have a similar problem? They gave her an injection of calcium and another injection of different vitamins, her tremors have stopped but she still doesnt look very good and isnt very active. is there anything else i can do for her? thank you so much for you help I really appreciate it, and Im sure Coral does too!

Replies (4)

CDN-Cresties Dec 16, 2003 05:44 PM

Keep her is a seperate cage by herself and monitor her food intake. Good Luck.

-Steve-

LdyPayne Dec 17, 2003 12:31 PM

Most likely the other female you have in the cage with teh sick one, was eating all the crickets. It would be best to house them both separate to ensure the sick one fully recovers.

KofSeattle Dec 17, 2003 08:31 AM

You may try exposing your little friend to some UV lighting. UV helps reptiles to process D-3 and that may help your little one just a little more? Every little bit helps when they are sick, right? Also making sure your temps are fairly steady and maybe even a little warmer than normal will help with appetite if thats a problem. I would try the UV though. I know Cresty's don't require UV but like I said, "every little bit helps". Just make sure the animal is within the proper exposure range for whatever bulb you have or buy. Usually the animal needs to be no more than 12" to 15" inches from the bulb for good exposure and UV absorbsion. Also the bulb should be new if possible, no more than 6 mos old. Then dust every food item you give the little fellow with a good powdered calcium. Miner-all(sp) sticks to the insects best in my opinion. I am sure he will pull through, Cresty critters are tough! Best of luck.
-----
Peace!
KofSeattle
Reptile-Like
Here lizard lizard.........

Chiron Dec 18, 2003 04:03 PM

thanks all again I will try and put them in seperate cages but I like to watch them eat and usually Coral eats at least twice as much as the other one so i dont think its lack of crickets

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