Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just found my lil' Gizmo with a messed up arm. To me it looks like it was either pulled out of the socket or jammed in. His arm is set really low (very close to his chest) and his sholder blade (I think its his shoulder blade)pops out. This is all on his front right side. He has been normal for two weeks (since he hatched) and I just noticed this today. He walks with a limp but I don't think it hurts him. he's still eating like a pig. HAs anyone had this happen before. Should it heal on it's own and if not can a vet even treat something so small? I can't call my vet till monday because they are closed on weekends and they are the only vet in my area that knows reptiles. If anybody has any advice please let me know. Thanks in advance!

Emily
ps- sorry the post is so long!

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2.4.11 leopard geckos (Nelson, Zander, Zoe, Baby, Houdini, Munch, & lots of babies)
1.1 ferrets (Oliver and Delilah)
1. budgie (Max)
0.0.1 Ring neck Parakeet (Kiwi)
1.1 German Shepards (Jake and Abigail)

www.freewebs.com/thespottedgecko

how long has it been like that? Somehow I dont see it being something that happened after birth. It might be some kind of minor deformity at birth. If it doesnt seem to be hurting him and hes eating, than I would just get it checked with your vet, and not worry too much. good luck
Mac

I have had problems in the past of MBD or metabolic bone disease, or a serious calcium defeciency. Are you dusting your feeders? do you have calcium in the enclosure?

If not it could be MBD. Increase calcium and consult a vet.

Thanks for your responses. I really appreciated your help, but it just doesn't add up to me. When he hatched he was perfectly fine. I check all my geckos out (young and old) at least once a day. He showed no signs of any problems up until the other day so I don't think it was a birth defect. I am going to call my vet on monday, but I don't think it is MBD either for a few reasons. First, the mother gets extra dustings during breeding seasons. Second for the first two weeks I dust Ca every other feeding and vit at least once a week. After that I dust Ca twice a week and vit once. Also a Ca dish is always out and full since the day they hatch. This is what I have done since my very first gecko and I have never had a case of MBD, not even a mild one. (It did cross my mind though). Also all of the babies look great, are growing fast, and I haven't seen any pliable jaws or limbs. They are housed in pairs (with their clutch mates) but in rubbermaid sweater boxes with ample hiding space. Not to mention his room mate is smaller and the one I was really watching out for in the first place.
Thanks
Emily
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2.4.11 leopard geckos (Nelson, Zander, Zoe, Baby, Houdini, Munch, & lots of babies)
1.1 ferrets (Oliver and Delilah)
1. budgie (Max)
0.0.1 Ring neck Parakeet (Kiwi)
1.1 German Shepards (Jake and Abigail)

www.freewebs.com/thespottedgecko
*updated*

When our little guys were born they were perfectly fine looking and about 3 weeks went by and we noticed that their two of our little ones legs starting looking a bit like yours does. One of ours is looking better, but the other is still left with bad legs. Their mealies get dusted every feeding as well. Keep us posted as to what your vet says.