re: very concerened about crested gecko

Question
QUESTION: Hi Tracie, I have emailed you in the past regarding a question and you were very helpful, and now I have another. Last night I saw that my crested geckos toes had these odd twitches in them. and other parts of her body seem to twitch. But mostly just her toes, I'm very worried and have no clue as to what this means. Please help me. Thank you so much.

Dan

ANSWER: Hello Dan,

Are you using any calcium supplementation for your crested gecko?  What about a UVB light, are you using one?  If so, what type, a flourescent tube bulb or a compact/coil light?
It sounds like a slight case of metabolic bone disease.  Can he climb normally or is he losing his balance at all?
When was the last time he went to the bathroom?

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tracie, thanks for getting back to me. I had researched and realized he must have a calcium deficiency. I used to have a UVB bulb and just recently purchased another one after using a normal bulb for the last couple months. Also, I have been a bit neglectant in feeding him his fruit/yogurt mix regularly like I used to. So I think he's just low on calcium. I put some calcium powder that I use for crickets in the fruit mix, but he doesn't seem to be eating the last few days. His toes are not as twitchy, almost not at all anymore, and he has been moving once in a while to the floor level up to the top in his hammock. He just hasn't been his playful self at night and hasn't touched the crickets I put in a few days ago. I'm not sure how often he has been going to the bathroom either. He did get all eratic when I tried feeding him on Friday and went crazy and fell to the floor and ran away from me. But he seems to be doing better now. Also, do you recommend me "NOT" using fruit that comes pre-cut and mixed frozen? Should I be buying fresh fruits to mix with yogurt?  

Thank you very much, Dan

ANSWER: Hello Dan,

Which UVB are you using, a tube bulb or a compact/coil light?  What brand is it?
Yes, without UVB exposure, he will not be able to absorb his calcium properly so that is most likely the problem.
Great that the twitching is almost totally subsided now.  Wow he sure had a fit when you tried feeding him, that is odd.  He didn't hurt himself when he fell, did he?
Well, the fresh fruits might have more nutrition in them, but you could buy fresh or frozen organic as it may retain better since more care is put into organic.  
I hope he starts feeling better real soon.  :-))

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey Tracie,

So I'm a tad confused on the lighting. I'm not sure of the brand of bulb, I can get back to you. But the description says it provides UVA rays, now is that similar to UVB, or are they pretty much the same? I noticed she had eaten some of the fruit finally last night. And had moved around. But still not her normal noisy self moving around a lot. And I do have a calcium powder I dust crickets with, in which I also mixed in the fruit for added calcium. So I'm hoping she'll start eating a lot more fruit to gain her strength.

Thanks, Dan

Answer
Hello Dan,

No, unfortunately UVA & UVB are totally different.  The UVA are more visible light & promote health & activity while UVB are invisible rays but can partially be seen by reptiles that help with D3 synthesis to help maintain strong bones & vitamin absorption.
So, if she has not had any UVB exposure, she will not be able to absorb her calcium properly which will begin to cause a myriad of health problems.  So that is why we need to get a UVB light on her as soon as possible.  
Did she eat today?

Tracie