I came home with another gargoyle yesterday (and a huge enclosure) this one is tiny and I checked it over in the shop for a deformed jaw swollen limbs excetara as it was very active chubby and highly vocal I thought nothing much can be wrong. I noticed immediatly when I got it home that it was even less graceful than garg my when ever he jumps he misses his planned destination by a mile, this didnt bother me (he is a gargoyle after all) however something had been bothering me about his eyes even in the car ride on the way home but I couldnt put a finger on it. Today it suddenly clicked, one is slitted and the other is open (like it would be in the dark) when ever I pick him up he faces me with one side, I am guessing he is blind in one eye, I am going to take the fella to the vets tomorrow for a check up. It ate a lot of CGD last night despite its move so it seems healthy enough.


Oh and no he is not in the same enclosure as garg. garg is now in the big enclosure I bought which I plan for them to share if a) they get along b) are different sexes when they are fully mature, though this may not be possible now if the little fella is blind in one eye (might make it an easy target) oh well *shrug* love them both and two vivs gives me an excuse to buy more orchids yay!

got some pics so you guys can see if I am being overly paranoid (or not) pics taken at the same time in same conditions second picture shows what I think is the duff eye

one last pic of the 'high' gargoyle gecko, if the more experienced keepers are noticing anything about his overall condition that I cannot see let me know and I will be sure to mention it to the vet in the morning.

[Olivine]

There definitely seems to be a difference in the appearance of the eyes, so I think you're doing absolutely the right thing with the vet check. It's difficult to tell from the photos, but in the first pic, the littlun's front leg seems 'bent' (i.e. neither the upper nor lower part of the limb seem straight, but appear somewhat bowed and the elbow joint doesn't seem very well-defined). If that is the case (it could just be that the pic is slightly misleading), I'd also ask the vet to check the littlun for MBD too.

I don't want to pre-empt the vet's diagnosis, but if they decide that the eye problem is congenital rather than being the result of an injury then, personally, I wouldn't breed from this littlun, just to ensure that the problem won't be passed on to future generations of gargs. This would be reinforced if it does have MBD, especially if the littlun turns out to be female (problems with calcium deficiencies can be exacerbated by egg production). However, if the littlun is eating well and managing to get around OK, I'm sure it could still make a good pet; it is a little cutey!

I really do think its just the pics in regards to the leg (got one more pic just so you can see I took loads) Well I will be taking it to the vet tomorrow but dont expect a diagnosis untill later on in the day (My tortoises got attacked by an escapee pet rat in the past and I know she had to get another vets advice by video link as she doesnt specialise in reps) I had already decided not to breed if this is a hereditry thing (for obvious reasons) but I would prefer that to MBD I think. Shows you when you think your doing everything right you can still miss things

forgot picture loads of posts today mmm looking at this pic the tail does seem a little kinky though never noticed that in 'person'

Just had a look in low light and both eyes are looking pretty much the same size (hopefully this is a good sign regarding sight) Might have a slightly kinky tail as in the photo but the legs look ok to me, genuinly did not notice any of this in the shop, and I looked !! Maybe I didnt realise how hard the signs are to spot for a newb like me even if you theortically know what to look for especially in one so small still ultra cute though and its lucky enough to of found a home that doesnt mind giving extra TLC and spending £££s to set it right (wooohoo for back pay!!)

up date ... I have to wait for the results on the MBD but vet thinks it is the likely cause, the cure good old liquid calcium (didnt want to give it injections due to the fellas size?!? but a final deision will be made tomorrow) Vet says its got no obvious deformities (but we dont know for certain yet) and wasnt too worried as it was eating ok and as it promptly bit her when she picked it up after its puff up and growl/ bark routine (if you can call it a bite ) It hasnt bit me yet thankfully. Expecting a call from the vets tomorrow for a final diagnosis but if is all as it is thought to be it should recover yay!! (well apart from the eye which I have been advice to be careful with when it comes to spot lamps ect)

[Olivine]

Any news on the littlun?

yes got an update, it is a little worse than the vet was hoping for the MBD is pretty bad (she is still at the vets receiving some TLC) however there are no breaks which apparently is supprising her back legs (the thigh bone bit) are the worst effected but due to age and receiving the correct treatment now it is believed this wont have too much of an impact (I and the vet didnt notice but apparently (after consultation) she walks funnily with the back legs, I havnt seen this myself yet) She should make a 'full' recovery she will just be a bit wonky. Just for your info all in all I am looking at about a £100, and I am probably lucky there.... dont get a new pet if your are not willing to take the risk of vet bills be it a dog, cat, lizard or giant african land snail!!

For every bad experience there is a good one.. I bought garg from the Living rain forest in rhyl he is coming on in leaps and bounds and is much healthier than his wonky friend, hes geting to double the size he was when I bought him (growing really quick) and I am a bit parinoid now about suppliments (will have to be careful not to overdose him LOL).

ps do gargs have calcium pouches like cresteds as this would be handy to know.

Another update.... the little one has now stopped eating despite all the care given (its been a week so I wasnt too worried but consulted with the vet in view of all the issues) yesterday I noticed lumps on its stomach so back to the vets monday