Crested Gecko Seizures

The crested gecko is a medium-sized lizard popular in the pet trade. Crested geckos may have seizure-like symptoms if they are not given a proper diet, and these symptoms are a sign of serious health problems.

  1. Types

    • What look like seizures in crested geckos are not actual seizures, like those in a human or dog. These "seizures" are shaking and tremors that are brought on by other health problems, and only them.

    Time Frame

    • If the seizure is caused by a calcium deficiency, the seizure-like tremors will be the last and most severe of many symptoms. Earlier symptoms include lack of appetite, lethargy, swollen limbs and a rubbery jaw. Because the gecko's bones are softening, the gecko may also develop bends or kinks in its spine and tail.

    Causes

    • Seizures or tremors are most often the result of an insufficient diet. If a crested gecko is not supplemented with a calcium and vitamin powder or fed a complete prepackaged diet, it can develop a calcium-deficiency called metabolic bone disease.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Prevention is the best way to deal with crested gecko seizures, because the symptoms leading up to the seizures, like spinal deformities, are often permanent. Always feed crested geckos calcium-dusted crickets or a complete meal replacement product.

    Considerations

    • If there are no other symptoms present and the gecko appears to seize or twitch when handled or near other geckos, it's likely just a threat response. When threatened, crested geckos will shake, open their mouths, vocalize and twitch their tails.