Hypocalcaemia in Crested Geckos
Reptile · Correlophus ciliatus · typical adult weight 0.04–0.06 kg
4 cited drugs treat Hypocalcaemia in crested geckos: Calcium Gluconate, Calcium glubionate, Calcium glycerophosphate / calcium lactate, Vitamin D.
Low circulating calcium. Causes range from acute parturient hypocalcaemia in livestock to chronic nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP / MBD) in reptiles. Acute treatment requires calcium gluconate; chronic management addresses husbandry and diet.
The overview above describes Hypocalcaemia across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to crested geckos — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Calcium Gluconate
Emergency| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 10–50 mg/kg | not stated | Hypocalcemia; hypocalcemic dystocia | Weak | Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.263 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 [w3r2 2026-08-14] DRUG IDENTITY UNRESOLVED - THIS CITATION FIX DOES NOT CLOSE THE FINDING. The served 10-50 mg/kg SC, IM is printed at Carpenter 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles) under the agent heading "Calcium gluconate/borogluconate", NOT under plain "Calcium gluconate". On the SAME page the separate agent "Calcium gluconate" prints "50-100 mg/kg SC, IM, IV296" and "100 mg/kg SC, IM, ICe q6-24h32,316" for the same indication, and "Calcium glycerophosphate/calcium lactate" prints a third figure of 1-5 mg/kg. Mader 3rd ed Table 127.8 prints the identical three-way split, so this book does not treat calcium salts as interchangeable on mg/kg. Superscript 63 = Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al, Reptile formulary, in Mader Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery 3rd ed, 2019:1191-1211. AN EDITOR MUST DECIDE whether these two salts may share one formulary entry. No dose figure is proposed for change. |
| SC, IM, ICe | 100 mg/kg | q6-24h | Hypocalcemia (low ionized Ca); hypocalcemic muscle tremors, seizures, dystocia, or flaccid paresis in lizards | Weak | 32. Bennett RA. Management of common reptile emergencies. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 1998:67-72. || 316. McArthur SDJ, Wilkinson RJ, Barrows MG. Tortoises and turtles. In: Meredith A, Redrobe S, eds. BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets, 4th ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucestershire, GB; 2002:208-222. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.263 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.263' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.249; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.249. — SOURCE EDITION: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part B — Exotic Pets — ISBN 9781910443712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781910443712; Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
| SC, IM, IV | 50–100 mg/kg | not stated in source | Hypocalcemia (low ionized Ca); hypocalcemic muscle tremors, seizures, dystocia, or flaccid paresis in lizards | Weak | Mans C, Braun J. Update on common nutritional disorders of captive reptiles. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2014;17:369-395. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.263 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Calcium glubionate
Uncategorized| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 360 mg/kg | q12-24h prn | Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism; hypocalcemia; dystocia | Weak | Bennett RA. Management of common reptile emergencies. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 1998:67-72. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.263 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Calcium glycerophosphate / calcium lactate
Uncategorized| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC, IM | 1–5 mg/kg | not stated | Hypocalcemia; hypocalcemic dystocia | Weak | Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.263 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery (Divers & Stahl) — ISBN 9780323482530, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323482530 |
Vitamin D(Calcitriol, Cholecalciferol)
Supplement| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO, IM | 200 IU/kg | q7d | Vitamin D3 deficiency (nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism; hypocalcemia) | Weak | Bennett RA. Management of common reptile emergencies. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Rept Amph Vet; 1998:67-72. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.268 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.9 (Nutritional/Mineral/Fluid Support Used in Reptiles.a). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
Other conditions in Crested Geckos
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.