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I took my 4yr old female to the vet today because she seemed unusually bloated and vomited up some of her favorite fruit baby food (which she eagerly ate 10 min before). Her xray revealed that there is a large mass occupying most of her body cavity, obscuring the right lung (possibly pushing on it) and stomach. We also did an ultrasound and determined that the mass is not fluid, but the dr. couldn't be more specific as to what else it might be. We have a call in to a local radiologist to see if we can get a precise answer, but she may not take such small patients.
Below is a link to her xray, so you can see the cloudy gray mass in question. Has anyone had a similar experience? Are cresteds prone to any types of tumors? What do I do if the radiologist will see us, but the condition is deemed untreatable?

Aside from this mass, the Dr. said the gecko is clinically in good health. Properly hydrated, alert, personable, clear vent, clear eyes, no labored breathing, etc. She ate several wax worms and crickets earlier this week, and fruit baby food with supplements mixed in are offered every other day. I'm not sure how regularly she's pooping --I give the big tank a complete clean every other week and what I found was small, but of normal consistency.
If anyone has any thoughts, please let me know. I want to figure out what this mass is and get it taken care of asap!

I am sorry, I have absolutely no clue, but I wish you and your gecko the best.

The only suggestion I have is to maybe giver Dr. Scott Stahl a call and email him the xray. I know he's one of the best exotic vets around and maybe he can help you.

GL!!
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www.geckobabies.com

Thanks! I have a call in to a radiologist in the area, but she wants to do an ultrasound...which we've already done. I'm conferring with my Dr. to make sure this ultrasound will be able to provide more specific images.

On the up side, my gecko's attitude and appetite still seem great. Here's hoping for continued quality of life and a solution soon!

Now my vet's office is blowing me off and not returning voice mails, so I've been doing some research myself. My gecko's symptoms seem to match some of those associated with cryptospyridium. She's not at all lethargic (yet) but that definitely explains the mid section bloat and small watery stools.
I've read conflicting reports about crypto. Some say there is absolutely no cure while others report getting results with various parasite medications. One person even reported pepto bismol as effective in reducing the inflammation to allow the gecko's immune system the opportunity to kick the parasite naturally over time. Seeing as the vet has decided to stop helping, does anyone have any experience with any of these methods? Other recommendations? I'm willing to give any of it a shot, seeing as it can't possibly hurt at this point.

If my theory is correct and this IS crypto, I have no idea how she got it. She has been with me since she was a week old and has always been kept solitary. My 3 leopard geckos, who all seem to be in great shape, have also lived with me their entire lives with no health problems. They are housed separately and do not share any bowls, cage furniture, etc with my crested. Is it feasible that the crypto came in on feeder insects??

Send all the info you have and the picture of x-ray to Dr. Mader. I am pretty sure you can contact him via the reptile magazine website. (www.reptilechannel.com I think it is). he's the vet who does the "Ask the Vet" column in reptile magazine and is probably one of the best experts on reptile medicine around.
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PHLdyPayne

Hi,

Did vet do any blood test or radiological examination?
Blood test and radiology examination can help you figure out something and may let you to realize the reasons.

Best regards,

Raymo

The vet didn't do any blood work at this point. We did the x-rays and an ultrasound, which only told us there's a mass. She then referred me to a radiologist who wants to charge $300 for another ultrasound (allegedly more advanced than the first). Now I'm conflicted. If I thought this treatment would save my pet's life i would pay it without hesitation, but I have a feeling I'm going to walk out of the specialists office knowing little more than i do now. The Dr.s are convinced its a tumor of some kind, but I've been told that they won't operate on something this small. So basically I'm paying for a vague answer as to what's wrong, at best, but more than likely will receive no treatment to fix it.
I did send an inquiry to Dr. Mader, as someone suggested above, and we'll see if he gets back to me with any input.