Tokay Gecko Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) in geckos is a commonly seen nutritional disorder in this species. 





MBD is mainly caused by a chronic dietary deficiency caused by a lack of adequate amounts of calcium in the gecko's diet. In order to gain the calcium needed, the gecko will start to use the calcium in its bones. This results in the limbs of the gecko becoming distorted, tender and swollen. If your gecko is suffering from MBD I would advise you to visit your vet immediately.

In order to help prevent metabolic bone disease you must always add calcium to your geckos food. The recommended regimen is to add a calcium/ vitamin D mix 2-3 times per week for babies and only once per week for adults. But remember that too much calcium is also bad for your gecko and can lead to serious health problems.

10 Secrets To Save Your Tokay Gecko. For Advanced Tokay gecko care incl. Tokay gecko MBD & more…

Metabolic bone disease is a condition most commonly seen in young growing geckos. Common clinical signs include: softening of the bones, bone fractures, scoliosis (abnormal spine curvature), kyphosis, hyperreflexia, tetanic spasms, weakness, lethargy, anorexia (decreased appetite), constipation, and impaction.

A thorough history is most often enough to diagnose the condition. Additional tests include radiography and blood calcium level determination. After the diagnoses of MBD is made or even upon a high suspicion, it is recommended that therapy be started as soon as possible. The current treatment of choice resolves around calcium injections. Additional treatment might include fluid drips and tube feedings.  MBD should always be diagnosed and treated by an experienced reptile veterinarian.

Where Can You Buy Geckos and Tokay Geckos?

If you’re planning to have a Tokay gecko as your pet, the first challenge you will encounter is knowing where and how to buy it. Geckos, specifically Tokays, are becoming a threatened species because of the massive hunting. If you’re in Asia, purchasing a healthy gecko can be easy and expensive. But if you live in the US or in any western country, you may experience a difficult time doing so.





So where can you buy geckos?

Online Marketplace
When purchasing geckos, the first thing you need to know is what type or specie you intend to buy. There are over 1,200 types of gecko in the world and even though they have similarities, they have their own unique characteristics and personalities. Tokay geckos, being the most popular among the types that are going near extinction are normally found in Asian countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Philippines. In these countries, Tokays normally reside in tropical forests. Sometimes, they even live in residential houses. So if you know of an Asian friend, maybe you can seek help in buying your own Tokay gecko. But, transporting and selling Tokay geckos particularly in the Philippines (where Tokays are most abundant) is a prohibited act. In order to buy one, both the buyer and the seller should obtain a license.

If you’re based in America or Europe, the easiest way to go is the World Wide Web. A website called tokaygeckos.org for instance is one of the most popular online marketplaces for geckos. But before you go to this site, make sure that you have already obtained a license to buy Tokays. Otherwise, they will not entertain you. This website is a legitimate trading center so they only deal with accredited Southeast Asian sellers and international buyers. The prices vary and they depend on the size, weight, and condition of the Tokay. Expect a higher bid for Tokays that have been handled properly by the seller. The giant Tokay (which weighs 64kg!) found in the island of Borneo in Indonesia purportedly cost $17M. Yes, that’s how high the price tag can be.

Local Pet Shops and Breeders
Sometimes, it’s really hard to buy a gecko online because you don’t have the chance to see it for yourself until such time that you have paid for it already. If you don’t want to shop for geckos in the internet, you can try looking for local breeders in your area. For sure there are people who, like you, love geckos too. The Tokay gecko industry is blooming and because of the huge potential profit involved, many breeders or exotic animals are becoming more interested in raising and breeding Tokay geckos. You can also visit local pet stores. They may not have the geckos you’re looking for but they may be able to provide you referrals to find local breeders.

You can buy a small Tokay gecko for around $20. The price can go up depending on the factors we mentioned awhile ago. Before you start shopping around, make sure to educate yourself about the best way of taming and taking care of this wonderful creature. They’re not toys that you can simple throw away once you realized they’re not for you. Taking care of a pet – reptile or not necessitates love, commitment, and responsibility.