Crested gecko, dying

Question
QUESTION: Hi Thea

I hope you can answer a question for me. I purchased a crested gecko because my friend took me to a reptile/ amphibian trade show. we both purchased some crested geckos. Mine was a juvie. I bout the inclosure, Repashy, got fresh crickets. sprayed them with vitamin supplement w/ beta carotene, and calcium supplement. He was doing fine, then after a few months i came home found him squirming, and biting and making like some croaking noises. Knew he was in pain. lasted for about 2 days after that then died. I am looking to get another one but don't want that to happen again. Did I do something wrong?

ANSWER: Hi Sly,

That must have been a very shocking and sad experience. I'm glad it has not turned you off the hobby of keeping reptiles althogether.

There is nothing in what you have mentioned that could reasonably lead to such sudden and dramatic symptoms. Low blood calcium levels can cause seizures but that should not have been a possibility with both the Repashy and supplementation you were using.

It sounds like something more sudden and unpredictable happened. I would be wondering if he perhaps ingested a piece of bedding, like a bark chip, that was blocking his throat or further down his system causing pain and panic. Cresteds don't seem to have the same jaw strength as alot of other reptiles and I tend to avoid some of the larger, harder feeder insects with them, like roaches.   

Was he climbing and behaving normally just before that incident? Had he been shedding completely, including the feet? Tight, retained skin on the feet cuts off the circulation and can be painful. It also prevents them from climbing which can cause panic and stress for arboreal geckos. They will sometimes twist and attempt to bite at the body area that is causing pain. That is a longshot explanation but something to be aware of in the future.

The one other thing I would examine would be an environmental toxin being used near the cage such as an insecticide, flea treatment, cleaner or aerosol of some kind.

I'm sorry for your loss. Cresties are real charmers and it is easy to become quite attached to them. I think you may have just had an unfortunate bit of bad luck with that one.   

   

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QUESTION: I don't think it was bedding had a  microfiber cloth on the bottom of his cage. I would also give him a sort of spa treatment and really let soak up moisture. I forgot to mention that I was also giving him wax worm . he would readily eat them with no trouble. Seen a beauty this weekend at a local petco, seems very small like almost a new born and really interested to try again. any help you provide will be of great help. thanks for the speedy reply

Answer
Hi Sly,

You didn't mention how big your enclosure is but if the new crestie is really small you may have to house him in something around 10 to 15 gallon size for awhile. Single babies tend to get a bit lost in big enclosures and don't find their food very well. You might need to put out a few feeding stations if you are using the adult size enclosure.

Young reptiles  dehydrate quicker then adults so your spa days or extra misting will help avoid that problem.

Soft bodied larva like waxworms are fine. The baby will need crickets that are no longer then the distance across his head, from one eye to the other.
Young reptiles also have a greater need for calcium. You will need to supplement his insects quite frequently during his early growing phase.

Crested geckos are generally quite hardy, even as babies. If the one you have your eye on appears healthy, alert and active then don't be discouraged by his size.