Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Today I found my grandis day gecko lying on the floor of my vivarium.
His entire lower jaw was bent back under his neck. In other words, his
entire lower jaw is now like a piece of rubber. Obviously, there is no
way for him to eat at this point. He can still move his limbs at this
point, but he cannot walk.

My first thought was that it could be metabolic bone disease. However,
this seems a bit unlikely to me since I gut load my crickets with
calcium and I use a UVB light bulb. I have also considered the fact
that he may have broken his jaw by running into the side of the
enclosure.

This entire situation looks pretty grim. The gecko can neither eat nor
walk. He seems to be in pain. I am considering euthanasia. How can I
peacefully end his life? Of course, before euthanasia, I will consider
other reasonable treatment options if there are any.

Please, if you have any experience in these matters at all, contact
me.

Thank you so much.

Since you made the commitment to take care of this animal when you purchased it, you might consider taking it to a qualified herp veteranarian so it can recieve the care it deserves. Reptiles are not disposable animals.

Your message sounds a bit hostile to me, but I completely agree with you! However, I'm not sure you understand how critical the lizard's condition is. The bone along its entire lower jaw has turned into rubber. I am NOT going to put it through extensive vet treatments like long-term tubefeeding or surgery because I do not think that those types of treatment are humane.

I have tried to contact several vets but most of them are unavailable. I can't get an appointment until next week.

Unless I find our that this condition is curable (without extensive treatments) I am planning to peacefully euthanize the lizard with some of the carbon dioxide I use for my aquarium.

Sometimes you can do everything right and have things go wrong. You can also see the same symptoms with Vitamin A toxicity. It will take an experienced Phelsuma Vet to diagnois what is actually happening. The Vet will need to know how/what you feed your crickets, what vitamins you use and how often, lights used and when bulbs were last changed. How often you feed, water etc.even what temperature your keeping the cage at.
Good luck.

I had this happen with my grandis a long time ago before I was really up on their care. I'm assuming it's husbandry/diet related, but don't know for sure.

I agree that euthanasia is the best option in this case. It won't hurt to talk with your herp vet first though as treatment may be less invasive than initially thought.

I am happy that you are attempting to euthanize with a humane method; however a veterinarian is best to preform this as well.
Reptiles are capable of anaerobic respiration (utilizing the oxygen already present in the tissue) which will make euthanasia with CO2 much more difficult.

Good luck

Ian