birth defects in geckos

**sajane** · 08-04-2011, 03:17 PM

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I have a question re; birth defects in geckos, There are so many more leopard gecko breeders then panther geckos ,I thought I would have better luck getting advice from someone who has experienced gecko birth defects. After hatching about 200 panther geckos I have a new baby that appears to have this star gazing thing that leopard geckos get.Its back is arched and it 's nose is aimed at the sky all of the time. It sort of falls over when I nudge it to walk and doesnt appear to see. It wont open it's mouth to eat or drink.Has this happened to any of you leopard breeders? does it sound neurological? Is it a birth defect or could it have been an injury after birth? I dont think there is any hope for it . it's very cute though

**acpart** · 08-04-2011, 06:03 PM

I haven't had that happen with the leopards, though those symptoms occur frequently with enigma leopard geckos. Most of my leopard gecko defects have been anatomical. This one sounds neurological. Some people would tell you to cull it right away; others would say as long as it doesn't seem to be in pain you can see if you can keep it going. Sometimes they can mature out of these things, usually not.

ALiza

**M&S-328** · 08-05-2011, 09:58 AM

Its so young, that if its issues are going to kill it...it'll happen quickly. For instance, if it wont eat or drink ever, as a hatchling it wont take long to die. While Im not suggesting you let it suffer, I do think giving it a chance is really important.

Typically anatomical deformities and inguries are much more common.
As acpart said, enigmas tend to have the most issues - however I guess with them its just a given part of their morph.

Im curious, as it hatched itself out of its egg.. It must have the ability to move, right? You said it falls over if you nudge it - so have you ever see it move around, walk, lay down/"stand" up?

**sajane** · 08-05-2011, 01:27 PM

Thats also why I thought it could have been an injury after hatching. It does not move much unless i nudge it but it will run uncooridinated.

**M&S-328** · 08-05-2011, 04:46 PM

Hmm... so, it can move then? You said it will run uncoordinatedly, so, at least it isnt paralyzed or something.

Perhaps it is blind, and thus very nervous to move around?

Well all I can say is if it were my hatchling I'd keep it alive and in the best environment I could provide.
If it never eats, it wont last long, and nature will take its course. However maybe it will eat eventually (Id guess by handfeeding if it cant catch its food due to the movement issue). And if so, it may live a decent life, but it will need to be given specialized attention.

Do you think you could post a few pictures of the baby? Maybe someone will have seen a similar problem like that before and will be able to give you advice based on what they see

**Carmella** · 08-05-2011, 05:46 PM

I have a leo that Ive had for about 11 months, she always has her head turned all the way to the side (almost upside down). She was hard to get stated to eat. But eventually she started eating and now shes like a machine. I cant open her tub w/out her jumping at me for food,lol. I dont know what caused it. Just born like that I guess. The neurological thing w/ enigmas are true. Its only sometimes though and doesnt really stop them from eating.