MBD Care

[CTP]

I am not sure if this is posted in the right area, but I need guidance. I rescued this little guy I named GECK (from the Inscription card game 1 health-1 life) from a pet store about 3 months ago. He doesn't use any of his legs therefore he doesn't climb and moves across the tank like a snake. I haven't put anything in his house because I don't want anything to block him from moving around. I feed him crickets daily, 2 days not dusted, 2 days dusted with D3, and 3 days without D3. I give him slurries with vitamins and try to get him to eat regular greens but haven't been successful, yet. I tried to feed him calcium worms but wouldn't eat them. He gets a warm bath every other day (which he will fall asleep during). I have a 100-watt mercury bulb that isn't obstructed by the screen but he does spend most of his time at the other end of the tank. I use a thermometer gun for temp checks and his basking side is about 100-105 and 75-80 at the other end. I take him outside in the Florida sun at least 3x a week. He has gone through only 1 shed.

I am asking for advice.... is anything more I could or should be doing for my GECK? I feel bad he doesn't have a better-looking home (not that he may care) but I wonder if he should have something on the ground for him to move across, although my thought is it will hurt his belly. Should I put a "hide" for him to sit under? Should I be feeding him differently? Do I need more/different lights? If I work with him, do you think he might be able to learn to use his legs? Am I doing right by him? I am just trying to give this little guy the best life I can provide him, so thank you in advance for any helpful suggestions.

 

[KarrieRee]

I am not sure if this is posted in the right area, but I need guidance. I rescued this little guy I named GECK (from the Inscription card game 1 health-1 life) from a pet store about 3 months ago. He doesn't use any of his legs therefore he doesn't climb and moves across the tank like a snake. I haven't put anything in his house because I don't want anything to block him from moving around. I feed him crickets daily, 2 days not dusted, 2 days dusted with D3, and 3 days without D3. I give him slurries with vitamins and try to get him to eat regular greens but haven't been successful, yet. I tried to feed him calcium worms but wouldn't eat them. He gets a warm bath every other day (which he will fall asleep during). I have a 100-watt mercury bulb that isn't obstructed by the screen but he does spend most of his time at the other end of the tank. I use a thermometer gun for temp checks and his basking side is about 100-105 and 75-80 at the other end. I take him outside in the Florida sun at least 3x a week. He has gone through only 1 shed.

I am asking for advice.... is anything more I could or should be doing for my GECK? I feel bad he doesn't have a better-looking home (not that he may care) but I wonder if he should have something on the ground for him to move across, although my thought is it will hurt his belly. Should I put a "hide" for him to sit under? Should I be feeding him differently? Do I need more/different lights? If I work with him, do you think he might be able to learn to use his legs? Am I doing right by him? I am just trying to give this little guy the best life I can provide him, so thank you in advance for any helpful suggestions.

That poor dragon --- I am flagging your post to AHBD and Drache613 - they can guide you to getting him in better health
@AHBD
@Drache613

 

[RangoRocky]

First, it’s admirable of you to rescue him. I wish that the pet stores took better care of these babies. Personally I would put something down in the glass even if it’s just a piece of vinyl. He should still be able to move against it. The one I have resembles rock. There are things that you can put in the tank that won’t obstruct him like in the corners. As far as nutrition @Drache613 or @AHBD can advise on that.

 

[AHBD]

It sounds like you're giving him pretty much the best care you can. You might take him out in the sun, setting him in the grass on a very warm day. He would get extra uvb exposure and he might enjoy feeling the grass and slightly uneven turf under him. If he looked too frightened, just make it a short time outside. Maybe add a slurry of kale, collards, arugula, turnip, mustard greens and a bit of strawberry /blueberry to see if he'll eat some by first dripping it on his snout, then let him eat however much he likes . Careful with the soaking, one dunk under the water can cause aspiration so maybe give fewer soaks and only very shallow + short, like 5 minutes. Keep up the good work ! With outside time his mobility might improve a little.

 

[CTP]

It sounds like you're giving him pretty much the best care you can. You might take him out in the sun, setting him in the grass on a very warm day. He would get extra uvb exposure and he might enjoy feeling the grass and slightly uneven turf under him. If he looked too frightened, just make it a short time outside. Maybe add a slurry of kale, collards, arugula, turnip, mustard greens and a bit of strawberry /blueberry to see if he'll eat some by first dripping it on his snout, then let him eat however much he likes . Careful with the soaking, one dunk under the water can cause aspiration so maybe give fewer soaks and only very shallow + short, like 5 minutes. Keep up the good work ! With outside time his mobility might improve a little.

I will start offering him the slurry you suggested and I will see how he likes the grass. I hold him the whole time he is soaking and it is usually short, enough time to clean any poop off of him. A little longer if he falls asleep in my hands. Please

That poor dragon --- I am flagging your post to AHBD and Drache613 - they can guide you to getting him in better health
@AHBD
@Drache613

Thank you!

 

[CTP]

First, it’s admirable of you to rescue him. I wish that the pet stores took better care of these babies. Personally I would put something down in the glass even if it’s just a piece of vinyl. He should still be able to move against it. The one I have resembles rock. There are things that you can put in the tank that won’t obstruct him like in the corners. As far as nutrition @Drache613 or @AHBD can advise on that.

Thank you and will look into a piece of vinyl.

 

[RangoRocky]

Thank you and will look into a piece of vinyl.

Hopefully this is helpful but this is similar to the vinyl I have. I like it cuz it look like rocks but it also make clean up easy. I can’t tell for sure but since you’ll have extra if you get this you can also use it as a background on the back of the tank. You can also get some mini command strip and run some vines along the top of the enclosure if you wanna jazz it up a lil more. I got both the vines and command strips from dollar tree. Maybe you can also put something soft in the corner for him to lay on. I made a sectional out of an old piece of memory foam but you can also do it with sponges. That you can make however big or small you want it. But here is the vinyl link

TrafficMaster Natural Paver Residential Vinyl Sheet Flooring 12ft. Wide x Cut to Length U6910.284C997G144

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Wow, I am so sorry he is so bad off, metabolic bone disease is pretty common.
Since he isn't mobile at all, it would be a good idea to keep his basking spot lower so that he doesn't try
to climb & hurt himself.
Which brand of MVB are you using & how close to him is it?
Since he doesn't seem to sit/bask underneath of it as much as he should, you could consider adding a
long tube bulb inside of his tank to complement the MVB light & cover more area.
Since he isn't eating much on his own, as AHBD suggested, it would be ideal to add a slurry for him. I
agree, outdoor sun is terrific for him.
It is possible he could gain some mobility, so try to be patient with him. Have you considered giving a
liquid calcium for him for a higher absorption rate?
He is definitely a special dragon so setting his tank up for him, to make it more comfortable for him is
very important.

Let us know how he is doing.
Tracie

 

[KarrieRee]

24" Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO Hood this will come w/ a 5.0 bulb you want a 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 for a 40 gallon + tank the 5.0 can be used on tanks of 20 or 30 gallon - distance and placement is different from each other I can help you place it for your tank - Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO
they are out of stock for the 24 "Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ 12 % bulb - that is another good option -