>>I have had this gargoyle for one year and it was about 3 months old when I got it. I have kept it in a 5 gallon aquarium for a good 9 months, moved it into a much larger vision cage, then moved it back in the 5 gallon where it currently is. I had fed it baby food and crickets, alternating days, most of its life. It has suitable areas to hind and feel secure. There is a bowl of water and I spray the enclosure every day.
>>
Much too small!!! For an adult I would consider a 10 gallon minimum. The small enclosure (which likely means lack of hiding places as well, with the glass all the way around) has probably stressed her out. And there's no way that you can get away with calling 9 months a 'temporary housing' solution.
>>Ok, the possible problem.
>>Her normal behavoir was acuteness and jumping constantly. Plus, she would defecate when picked up.
That sounds like a good majority of the gargoyles I know.
>>
>>Her behavoir now is very different. She is mostly lethargic, and jumps from hand to hand, with what it seems to be less effort than normal. Her hips stick out alittle, but not too much. So, a loss in weight is a possibility.
Definitly not good. Gargoyles tend to be a little pointy-er so a little sticking out is normal, but not by the hips. Do you keep weight records at all? If not a scale is definitly in order... at least weight her every few weeks to keep an eye out for this sort of thing.
>>The most noticeable thing is her mouth hangs slightly open. The skin aroung the neck is very loose. When I go to touch the mouth, she licks my finger repeatedly. The lower jaw actually sticks out alittle bit. Also, she does not defecate when picked up.
>>
Very, very not good. Sounds like she may be suffering from a lack of calcium, which has led to MBD. This will occur if her food is not being supplimented properly. Baby food and crickets do not provide the calcium these animals need. They need to be supplimented (I mix GGD with baby food, it contains a lot of those nutrients and minerals).
>>This change probally took place in a month.
>>
>>Since I have a good amount of animals, I do not monitor feeding as much as I should. I did notice a decrease in the amount of baby food left inside the cage as well as a decrease in crickets eaten.
>>
That should be an immediate red-flag.
>>I might take her to a vet, but I am very leery of vets in my area. Advice? Thanks in advance.
A vet is the only one who can help you with this. She's likely need liquid calcium suppliments, and a new, larger enclosure. The underbite will likely never go away, as the bone will harden in the same position that it's in now.
Why be leery of vets, anyway? If you go to one and don't like them, you can try another.
Association of Reptile & Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) http://www.arav.org/
Herp Vet Connections http://www.herpvetconnection.com/
VaHerper's Herpetological Resources http://vaherper.future.easyspace.com/
VetWorld
http://www.vetworld.com/
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Brian Skibinski
Brian@MilwaukeeReptiles.com
www.MilwaukeeReptiles.com
Leopard Gecko Care Sheet
