Gecko foot problem

Question
Hi, I have been gone for a couple of weeks and had someone else caring for my Crested Geckos. When I returned I noticed the smaller one can't climb because her toes are all dried up and on one foot seem to be totally shriveld. The older one also has one foot shriveled and the end of her toes are also dried. Do you think this has to do with dehydration? If so,should I soak them in warm water? Do you think this will fix the prob. or is it irreprable?
Someone also told me that crickets can eat the end of their toes. Is that true? I never heard that before and am worried that is what happened. Please advise. Thanks Juliet

Answer
Hi Juliet, Usually foot problems with cresteds and other arboreal geckoes are due to shedding problems which are in turn often caused by sub-optimal humidity problems. The old skin doesn't come off and it dries and contricts around the toes. Soaking them will soften and loosen the dead skin allowing you to gently roll it off. Set them in about 1/2 inch of just tepid water (warm water will be too much of a temperature shock) in a plastic container for about 20 minutes. You should be able to roll the old skin off but you may also need to use tweezers to get a hold of it. The structures on their feet are delicate, if the skin is not coming off easily then soak them for a bit longer. A few drops of glycerin (from drug stores) in the water can also help.

Crickets can cause bite injuries to captive reptiles.  This usually happens when there is an over abundance of crickets in the enclosure and no other food or moisture source is available for them. If there is anything else in the enclosure for the crickets to eat, like live plants or your cresteds fruit based food then they are not likely to have bitten your geckoes. Cricket bites appear as bits of missing skin or small open sores. Your description does not sound like it was caused by cricket bites.