| Most diseases and disorders can be prevented or avoided if proper husbandry is followed. The following are some common problems: Dysecdysis Improper shedding is mostly due to husbandry problems such as consistently low humidity, low temperatures, improper nutrition and insufficient cage furniture to rub against. Prevention is the key to avoiding shedding problems. Dystocia Difficulties in laying eggs can be due to improper or inadequate laying site, improper nutrition, low temperatures and dehydration. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) MBD occurs due to insufficient calcium and source of vitamin D3 in the diet. Hatchlings, juveniles and breeding females are most affected by MBD. Some signs of MBD are loss of muscle control (twitching), inability to move around without difficulties and lack of appetite. Feeder insects should be fed a calcium rich diet 24 to 48 hours prior to being used as food items. Using calcium carbonate supplement is recommended as well. Pneumonia Commonly referred to as respiratory problems, this can result due to improper husbandry (e.g. constant wet condition, poor air circulation), insufficient nutrition and lack of sanitation. Prevention is the key in avoiding this potential fatal problem. Thermal Burns When using a heat lamp as a source of heat, allow 3 to 4 inches of space between the bulb and the side of the enclosure to prevent crested geckos from getting too close and burning themselves. Also, THINK fire safety when dealing with electrical equipments. Installing a smoke detector is highly recommended. Anorexia Lack of appetite can occur due to improper husbandry such as improper food items (e.g. too large or too many insect preys), improper temperature (e.g. too hot, too cold), lack of sanitation and stress induced by conspecies or too much handling. Floppy Tail Syndrome FTS is a condition when the tail flops to one side, which may be due to weakness of the caudal attachment to the pelvis to facilitate tail loss when threatened. de Vosjoli hypothesized that this may be due to lack of appropriate climbing branches in the enclosure and early calcium deficiency that weakened the precaudal pelvic bones. FTS does not negatively affect a crested gecko's ability to reproduce. Autotomy Dropping a tail is the result of some negative stress such as rough handling, exposure to prolonged high temperatures and aggressive nteraction of conspecies. Although tail-less specimens are the norm in the wild, the cause of tail dropping should be investigated to avoid similar situation from happening. Nematodes and Flagellate Protozoans Wild caught (WC) and captive bred (CB) crested geckos may harbor intestinal parasites. Fecal checks should be done and proper medications administered under the supervision of an experienced reptile veterinarian. Fenbendazole for treating nematodes and metronidazole for treating flagellate protozoans have been proven effective. Following good husbandry practices such as washing your hand with antibacterial soap before and after handling a specimen and quarantining newly acquired specimens for 60 to 90 days will go a long way in preventing many potential problems. |
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| DISEASES AND DISORDERS |
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