Warning for Crestie breeders old and new.

[Sweetcorn]

Originally Posted by fatbloke

dam sorry to here that rip lil dude

Thank you....was very sad to see and this is the first hatchling I've lost.

[suey]

Oh, i'm so sorry to hear that hun. Thank you for posting about it to make us aware, beautiful little hatchling as well

[Sweetcorn]

Thanks Suey.......I know most people are aware but doesn't help to remind. Plus there are lots new to breeding, that might not know of the risks. I'd hate for anyone to lose a hatchling this way

[olivine]

Firstly, let me say how sorry I am to hear about your loss; it must be so distressing to lose a littlun in this awful manner. Given how upsetting this must be for you, I can only say thank you so much for sharing your story as a warning to others.

I don't know if it's of any help, but this article outlines the issue of toxicity and vermiculite. Although it may have been 'classic' impaction, rather than the toxic effects of the vermiculite that, sadly, killed your hatchling, I think that raising awareness of the potential problems with the stuff is best: at least that way people are in a position to make informed decisions / take precautions.

[Sweetcorn]

Thank you Olivine. It was just hearbreaking to see this little one deteriorate so quickly and knowing there was nothing I could do to help.

Thanks for that article. Very interesting read.

It's really made me re think what medium I use from now on. Up until now I've had no problem with using vermiculite but will be doing a search for an alternative if there is a safer one.

It was the colouring on the head that really threw me. I'm not too sure if general impaction can cause this to happen or whether it can impede the blood flow in any way so the colouring is lost in the head or whether it was lack of oxygen. Not really biologically minded so just guess work on my part.

[biohazard156]

I am so sorry to read this, what a horrid thing to have happened. I am glad you posted it though, to make people aware.

I thought I might offer an alternative though, I use perlite as an incubation medium, as i found verm to be too wet for gargoyle eggs... Perlite is a bit drier but is also a lot bigger, so would think hatchlings would have a tough time to eat any of it...

Just a thought for you in future

[freekygeeky]

or i have found vermiculite in very large pieces, like the size of half a gecko, so they cant eat it.

[Sweetcorn]

Thanks Anna.....I think I will set up another box and try the perlite for any subsequent eggs.

This happening to one hatchling is one to many for me and like you say there may be less risk with the perlite being bigger.

[Sweetcorn]

Originally Posted by freekygeeky

or i have found vermiculite in very large pieces, like the size of half a gecko, so they cant eat it.

I've never seen the larger vermiculite. Have you ever used it?

[KerryLou]

Aww Sweetcorn, I am so sorry to hear this. But thank you for posting, as a first time breeder this is something I hadn't even considered. But I will now be watching even closer than I already was (if that is possible).