Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Last night I took my crestie, Scooter, out of his cage to check him out. I took some shed skin that was stuck to his toe pads off and noticed there is an idention in his back between his hind legs, just above the start of the tail. What is this? His tail also has a "kink" in it. Is this a form of calcium deff? I dust his crickets, but doubt it all stays on and he rarely eats his fruit babyfood (I mix in some cal and vitamins and change the fruit selection). He is a year old and I haven't noticed anything else unusual with him.

Any ideas what this is?

The pic below was taken a while ago and he didn't have either problem then.

Thanks in advance.

If he's hanging face down, does the tail kind of flop downwards and point to the ground? That's called 'floppy tail syndrome'. My crested has had it for about a year, doesn't seem to be an immediate health issue. He never liked babyfood either (actually wouldn't eat too well on his own for a while) and I'm pretty sure that has something to do with it.
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch

His tail doesn't flop, he still uses it as a safety rope.
Thank you for the info.
Carrie

>>If he's hanging face down, does the tail kind of flop downwards and point to the ground? That's called 'floppy tail syndrome'. My crested has had it for about a year, doesn't seem to be an immediate health issue. He never liked babyfood either (actually wouldn't eat too well on his own for a while) and I'm pretty sure that has something to do with it.
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>>"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
>>Alexander Skutch

yes, that's a form of minor calcium deficiancy. Try supplementing him a bit more. you should also try the new rhac diets (sandfire super foods).

if you are really worried, you could check the calcium reserves in his back throat area--but that probably isn't necessary.

Brandon

Okay, how do I get the calcium in him? I have the one from sandfire that you mix w/babyfood, but he won't eat it.

I am really worried...I have abused my kid and he is suffering because of my negligence. I'm a bad parent.

Should I take him to the vet? Can the vet give him a cal shot?

Thanks for all the help! I really appreciate it.

Carrie

Hehe, you're fine. my leachie had a slight kink in his tail when he was younger--he's great now. you'll get the feel for supplementing him in time.

as for the vet...i'm sure he could give you great advice, but a calcium shot really isn't necessary. I imagaine that's only for extreme cases of MBD, when his jaw is rubbery, and he can't move very well. like i said, try to open his mouth and look at his calcium sacs if you're worried.

The advice already given was great--hand feed him that mixture. Not only will you be giving him his calcium, but you'll be bonding with him too!

best of luck!

Brandon

Thank you. I still feel rotten though. I'll wait on the vet then. What do calcium sacks look like? Are they a little like tonsils or something?

Thanks for the luck and advice. I really appreciate all of it.
You can never know everything about these guys.

Carrie

and make sure it has some D3 in it. The tail kink is a sign that he could need more Calcium. Other than that he looks great! Where did you get him? I love his coloration.
My males tend to get that shape on their backs as they mature.

I have both, w/d3 and w/out. The next problem is how do I get him to eat the cal w/d3?? It's obviously not staying on the crickets, because I dust them before I put them in and he won't touch the baby food.

I got him at the Tampa Reptile show last March. Not sure from who. I was so excited to be getting him, that I barely remembered the questions I had. I love the coloration too.

Thank You,

mix in enough honey to make it sticky and I would start out with the calcium with D3. Take some of the mixture and dab it on his nose, right on the top. Hold him so he can't rub it off and he will lick it off to clean his face.
Hey! are you in Tampa? I live in Tampa.
Do you have a female to breed him with? If not boy do I have some girls for him! maybe we can arrange some conjugal visits for him and an egg or hatchling sharing program! LOL
He is really beautiful! Good luck with him!
Sonia

Thank you, I will definitely try that tonight.

Well, clearwater...but it isn't far. I bet he would love to be with a chick. I hope your girls are gentle...he is a virgin. Hee,hee. I would be delighted to set up some conjugal visits. Once he gets better of course.

My email: carrie@dyna-sys.com

Thank you again.
Carrie

>>mix in enough honey to make it sticky and I would start out with the calcium with D3. Take some of the mixture and dab it on his nose, right on the top. Hold him so he can't rub it off and he will lick it off to clean his face.
>>Hey! are you in Tampa? I live in Tampa.
>>Do you have a female to breed him with? If not boy do I have some girls for him! maybe we can arrange some conjugal visits for him and an egg or hatchling sharing program! LOL
>>He is really beautiful! Good luck with him!
>>Sonia
>>

The indention is his pelvis...I have one that I'm noticing that with too. She got it after her first two clutches, so I separated her. Althought I don't think that indention is anything to be worried about, but the kink might be.

Is the "kink" in the tail just past the pelvis?
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Anthony Caponetto
http://reptiles.drivennewmedia.com

of his tail. It's not a very large kink, just a slight one. More like a zag in the tail.

He is by himself, I don't have any other geckos. Just beardies, a collard and amphibians (sp?).

Why should I be worried about the kink? Is it something other than cal deff?

Thanks,
Carrie