Leopard gecko with eye issues and hemipenes sores (located in Puerto Rico)

**Elizabeth Freer** · 12-02-2021, 06:55 AM

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Thank you to all of you who have answered my questions and given advice so far, I really appreciate it.
You're welcome!

Update from the vet visit yesterday:
. . . . . .
I do have saline solution that I use for my contacts and have been using to try to flush the eye out a little with a syringe. = good news! I hope Twitch heals well after the removal of his abcesses.

Yesterday morning he had a very loose stool on some rocks instead of his normal paper towel bathroom area, I'm assuming because of the liquid diet.
Otherwise he is still eating the chicken baby food mixed with his supplements, water, and antibiotic like he has been for the last week. Slightly lower to normal activity levels, still using all hides/areas almost the same if not the same as normal.

Can you buy Gerbers' Turkey Baby Food instead of chicken? Here's why.

For link 8 click: Assist Feeding for Off-Foods Geckos (+ Gerber’s turkey baby food details)

Thank you Aliza for identifying his morph

Elizabeth: Thank you for all the info and questions so far. The ARAV site found one vet 30 minutes to the south of me (I am in San Juan) but they did not answer the phone but I will continue trying that number and looking for others.
Arcadia supplements/vitamins: Here is a link to their supplement/vitamin page: Arcadia Reptile EarthPro
The Revitalise D3 has vitamin A (retinol). EarthPro-A is the multivitamin that I mix with CalciumPro Mg for every feeding.

Is Earthpro Revitalise D3 a complete multivitamin? Does Arcadia manufacture multivitamins WITH & WITHOUT D3? When I listened to the link, it seemed complete. If so, I would NOT use any other multivitamins. However, we need to resolve the D3 issue.

Is 10.5 inch long Twitch still growing? An ADULT leopard gecko (18 months old +) should ONLY get multivitamins with D3 lightly dusted on ALL feeders @ 1 feeding per week. IF necessary, Twitch could get plain calcium at a second feeding per week. Plain calcium that week would be metabolized by the earlier D3 dose, because D3 is fat soluble. D3 sticks around in a gecko's body for about 1 week & metabolizes all plain calcium that's ingested.

IF a multivitamin doesn't contain D3, another supplement containing D3 like Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 can be lightly dusted on all feeders @ a 2nd feeding per week.

A younger leo should still ONLY get a retiinol-containing multivitamin on all feeders @ 1 feeding per week + plain calcium carbonate at another 1-2 feedings per week IF D3 is contained in the multivitamin.

Thank you for the better list of food for the mealworms I will change that. You're welcome!
The mealworm bedding is I assume oat bran that they come with in the container from the pet store (I will include pictures of the container and bedding)

Should I be moving the mealworms to a different container when I get them? Yes! Keep mealworms at room temp. Let's see whether we can find a lower phosphorus bedding for your mealworms. Phosphorus impairs calcium absorption.

For link 98 click: Common Mealworm & Superworm Dry Diets & Beddings -- Use something else!

Is there a good (relatively) low maintenance feeder worm or insect that won't cause allergies that I could raise at home?
Are crickets & blaptica dubia OK for you? Dubia are easy to raise. Crickets require more heat.

Mealworms are easy to breed

**funone0** · 12-02-2021, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Freer

Arcadia Revitalize D3 (once per week) Arcadia shed support (when feeding before shedding and right after a shed) I mix Arcadia EarthPro-A

I'm not very familiar with Arcadia's supplements. Which Arcadia product is Twitch's multivitamin? Do any of these Arcadia supplements contain vitamin A acetate (retinol)?

Thanks for your link!

1. Substrate provided: Ceramic tile on top of reptile carpet to help with heat transfer from under tank heater (he can not physically touch the carpet)
Is your heat mat on the OUTSIDE of your Exo Terra 36 x 18 x 12 inch high enclosure?
I doubt that ceramic tile helps with heat transfer. Can you get some slate instead?

For link 163 click: Slate Cheese Trays 16" x 12" (11.8 inches = actual width) x 0.3 inch for Leo Substrate . . . . . . Gutler & Odinsmom -- November 2020 (updated)

From bottom up:
3. slate "tray" or coaster pieces (skip the carpet)
2. enclosure glass
1. heat mat

Please share a 60 second video of Twitch walking around on some solid surface like a carpet. I just wish to see his gait.

2. What is the ground temperature right on the substrate under the warm dry hide: 88F Try for an 88-92*F range instead.

IF Twitch climbs some & uses a higher temp from his deep heat projector, then that would give him a higher belly temp.

What is the air temperature on the warm end about 4 inches up from the ground: 84F
What is the air temperature on the cool end about 4 inches up from the ground: 72F
What device(s) are used to maintain the temperature (Under Tank Heater, heat light, Ceramic Heat Emitter, Flexwatt heat tape, hot rock, other): The zoo med environmental control center controls all of the following: dims the arcadia deep heat projector that heats the elevated basking area, the zoo med under tank heater with simple on or off control, the arcadia shade dweller T5 fluorescent day bulb, a small dim overhead night light (moon) at night on the cool side, as well as a small dehumidifier connected to the tank (living in Puerto Rico, indoor humidity can get quite high)

I recommend total darkness at night. NO dim moon light. IF you wish to use a low wattage bulb, I suggest a 15 watt incandescent bulb dimmed to half power during daylight hours.
Have you paired Arcadia's ShadeDweller UVB with heat? Your deep heat projector should sit right next to the ShadeDweller.

By any chance is Twitch climbing high enough for the UVB to cause eye problems???

3. Is there a humidity hide? Yes location? between warm and cool side, closer to cool side.
I recommend keeping the humid hide on the warm end close to the warm DRY hide.

4. Is the calcium in the tank with D3 or without? No calcium in the tank, please let me know if I should change this as I have read both are good and bad.
Based upon the supplements you're using, I do NOT suggest keeping any plain calcium in the enclosure.

You're using Earthpro Revitalise D3 multivitamins @ 1 feeding per week. On all feeders? Especially because that contains retinol, 1x per week is best. Retinol should be carefully dosed.

(I still gotta check what Shed Aid contains.)

5. Are you using a thermostat(s)? Yes on tile directly above the heater and the other is directly below the heat projector on the basking area (see above)
OK

6. Urates
---white or yellowish: Same as before
Healthy urates should be pure white.

Maybe cut back a bit on ERD3 multivitamins? How much D3 do they contain? When a gecko is utilizing UVB, the lighting guru I know ONLY recommends backup D3 doses at 1-2 feedings per month NOT every feeding.

Do your best to keep Twitch hydrated.

1. Substrate provided: Ceramic tile on top of reptile carpet to help with heat transfer from under tank heater (he can not physically touch the carpet)
Is your heat mat on the OUTSIDE of your Exo Terra 36 x 18 x 12 inch high enclosure? Yes the heat mat is on the outside.
I doubt that ceramic tile helps with heat transfer. Can you get some slate instead?
I can definitely remove the carpet, when I have checked the temperatures with the infrared thermometer the tile temperature across the tile above the heat mat are within a degree or two. I can get the slate you linked if you think it will be better.

I will get a video of him walking when he is more active (hopefully around feeding this evening) - What is the best way to upload/share a video on here?

I will raise the ground temperature to 90 degrees in the warm hide.

The night moon light is this 1W led light: http://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Nigh.../dp/B00PZ7TC8E
it is located on the top back corner on the cool end of the terrarium. Let me know if you still think I should change anything or remove it.

When I had checked the UV levels at the elevated basking area back in the states using a friend's solarmeter they were in the acceptable leo range. I have not been able to check the levels since moving to Puerto Rico.

I will move the humidity hide to the warm side next to his warm hide.

I will update on the urates when he has normal solid excrement.

The Revitalise with D3 is the only supplement I give him with D3 and it has 5k iuKg (I personally do not know what measurement that is) I can cut this back to 2 feedings per month.

When liquid feeding, is there a best range of how much I should be offering? How much Pedialyte to baby food/carnivore critical care?

**funone0** · 12-02-2021, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Freer

Thank you to all of you who have answered my questions and given advice so far, I really appreciate it.
You're welcome!

Update from the vet visit yesterday:
. . . . . .
I do have saline solution that I use for my contacts and have been using to try to flush the eye out a little with a syringe. = good news! I hope Twitch heals well after the removal of his abcesses.

Yesterday morning he had a very loose stool on some rocks instead of his normal paper towel bathroom area, I'm assuming because of the liquid diet.
Otherwise he is still eating the chicken baby food mixed with his supplements, water, and antibiotic like he has been for the last week. Slightly lower to normal activity levels, still using all hides/areas almost the same if not the same as normal.

Can you buy Gerbers' Turkey Baby Food instead of chicken? Here's why.

For link 8 click: Assist Feeding for Off-Foods Geckos (+ Gerber’s turkey baby food details)

Thank you Aliza for identifying his morph

Elizabeth: Thank you for all the info and questions so far. The ARAV site found one vet 30 minutes to the south of me (I am in San Juan) but they did not answer the phone but I will continue trying that number and looking for others.
Arcadia supplements/vitamins: Here is a link to their supplement/vitamin page: Arcadia Reptile EarthPro
The Revitalise D3 has vitamin A (retinol). EarthPro-A is the multivitamin that I mix with CalciumPro Mg for every feeding.

Is Earthpro Revitalise D3 a complete multivitamin? When I listened to the link, it seemed complete. If so, I would NOT use any other multivitamins. However, we need to resolve the D3 issue.

A leopard gecko should ONLY get multivitamins lightly dusted on ALL feeders @ 1 feeding per week. IF necessary, Twitch could get plain calcium at a second feeding per week.

Thank you for the better list of food for the mealworms I will change that. You're welcome!
The mealworm bedding is I assume oat bran that they come with in the container from the pet store (I will include pictures of the container and bedding)

Should I be moving the mealworms to a different container when I get them? Yes! Keep mealworms at room temp. Let's see whether we can find a lower phosphorus bedding for your mealworms. Phosphorus impairs calcium absorption.

For link 98 click: Common Mealworm & Superworm Dry Diets & Beddings -- Use something else!

Is there a good (relatively) low maintenance feeder worm or insect that won't cause allergies that I could raise at home?
Are crickets & blaptica dubia OK for you? Dubia are easy to raise. Crickets require more heat.

Mealworms are easy to breed

I will get the turkey baby food. (hoping the carnivore care comes tomorrow or Saturday)
Revitalise D3 is mostly calcium with D3, full spectrum minerals and vitamins A and E
EarthPro A is the full spectrum minerals and multivitamin with no D3.
With all of your recommendations, I will change to just the CalciumPro Mg for regular feedings, the EarthPro- A multivitamin once per week, and the Revitalise D3 twice a month, with the shed support added around shed time.

Mealworms: I will order that food you linked, thank you!
I have never had good experiences with keeping crickets and twitch has a lot of trouble catching them.
Dubia roaches are a similar situation.
What is the best mealworm colony setup and care process that reduces the chance of developing or aggravating allergies the most?

**Elizabeth Freer** · 12-02-2021, 05:20 PM

Please check Post/Message #11 (right side corner number) again.

I edited it before I realized you had already replied. Sorry.

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**Elizabeth Freer** · 12-04-2021, 12:14 AM

1. Substrate provided: Ceramic tile on top of reptile carpet to help with heat transfer from under tank heater (he can not physically touch the carpet)
Is your heat mat on the OUTSIDE of your Exo Terra 36 x 18 x 12 inch high enclosure? Yes the heat mat is on the outside.
I doubt that ceramic tile helps with heat transfer. Can you get some slate instead?
I can definitely remove the carpet, when I have checked the temperatures with the infrared thermometer the tile temperature across the tile above the heat mat are within a degree or two. I can get the slate you linked if you think it will be better.

I've heard that slate is superior for heat absorption.
What dimensions is Twitch's warm area?
What dimensions is your heat mat?
Do you have a 50 watt DHP?

I will get a video of him walking when he is more active (hopefully around feeding this evening) - What is the best way to upload/share a video on here? Excellent! I've shared uploading instructions in a separate message.

I will raise the ground temperature to 90 degrees in the warm hide. Excellent!

The night moon light is this 1W led light: Amazon.com
it is located on the top back corner on the cool end of the terrarium. Let me know if you still think I should change anything or remove it. Many thanks for sharing this link! This is the first I've heard about this bulb. I don't know anyone else using it.

Does this Exo Terra Full Moon LED 1 watt light produce white light? I think it's OK as a nocturnal viewing bulb for a few hours each night. Otherwise, I recommend dark night "skies".

When I had checked the UV levels at the elevated basking area back in the states using a friend's solarmeter they were in the acceptable leo range. I have not been able to check the levels since moving to Puerto Rico.

I will move the humidity hide to the warm side next to his warm hide. Super! That may help Twitch shed better. Cool & humid hides could make a leo prone to Upper Respiratory Infections like pneumonia.

I will update on the urates when he has normal solid excrement. Good!

The Revitalise with D3 is the only supplement I give him with D3 and it has 5k iuKg (I personally do not know what measurement that is) I can cut this back to 2 feedings per month.

For comparison Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 contains:
Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with vitamin D3---phosphorus-free ***Highly RECOMMENDED***
38%-43% precipitated calcium carbonate
Vitamin D3: 22,907 IU/kg, 10,390 IU/pound

Is Twitch basking daily under his UVB? My leo doesn't have any UVB.

IF 5,000 IU/kg = the D3 amount, then it's about 1/4 the D3 amount Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 provides. 5,000 IU/kg D3 = a low D3 level reptile supplement. I usually use ZM Repti Calcium with D3 at full strength at 1 feeding per week lightly dusted on all my 17 yo leo's crickets at that feeding. Once in awhile I only lightly dust 1/2 her feeders with D3.

When liquid feeding, is there a best range of how much I should be offering? How much Pedialyte to baby food/carnivore critical care?

/\ /\ Good vet questions! How much liquid diet depends upon the leo's size.

I've used plain tap water in the past -- enough to liquify turkey baby food or Carnivore Care so it's easy to draw up into a syringe.

From link #8
ONLY for short-term assist feeding:
Gerber's Turkey Baby Food -- Mix some Gerber's turkey baby food with clear Pedialyte 1:1. Place that on your leo's nose or let the gecko lick this mixture from the syringe's tip.

Is 10.5 inch Twitch still growing?

**Elizabeth Freer** · 12-04-2021, 12:27 AM

I will get the turkey baby food. (hoping the carnivore care comes tomorrow or Saturday)
Revitalise D3 is mostly calcium with D3, full spectrum minerals and vitamins A and E
EarthPro A is the full spectrum minerals and multivitamin with no D3.
With all of your recommendations, I will change to just the CalciumPro Mg for regular feedings, the EarthPro- A multivitamin once per week, and the Revitalise D3 twice a month, with the shed support added around shed time. Thank you!

Mealworms: I will order that food you linked, thank you! You're welcome. Let's hope Cody's Professional Gutload comes quickly.
I have never had good experiences with keeping crickets and twitch has a lot of trouble catching them.
Dubia roaches are a similar situation. Have you ever used a clear glass feeding dish to contain Twitch's bugs or worms?
What is the best mealworm colony setup and care process that reduces the chance of developing or aggravating allergies the most?

Here's a mealworm breeding link with other links included. Have you tried wearing one of the KN95 covid masks when working with mealworms?

For link 99 click: Mealworm & Superworm Breeding . . . . . . acpart, Hilde, & swisswiss -- April 2021 (updated)

I hope Revitalise with D3 with it's retinol will help Twitch's eyes & shedding. Be sure to ask the exotics vet you contact about those specific things.

I don't know what caused Twitch's abscesses.

**funone0** · 12-05-2021, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Freer

1. Substrate provided: Ceramic tile on top of reptile carpet to help with heat transfer from under tank heater (he can not physically touch the carpet)
Is your heat mat on the OUTSIDE of your Exo Terra 36 x 18 x 12 inch high enclosure? Yes the heat mat is on the outside.
I doubt that ceramic tile helps with heat transfer. Can you get some slate instead?
I can definitely remove the carpet, when I have checked the temperatures with the infrared thermometer the tile temperature across the tile above the heat mat are within a degree or two. I can get the slate you linked if you think it will be better.

I've heard that slate is superior for heat absorption.
What dimensions is Twitch's warm area?
What dimensions is your heat mat?
Do you have a 50 watt DHP?

I will get a video of him walking when he is more active (hopefully around feeding this evening) - What is the best way to upload/share a video on here? Excellent! I've shared uploading instructions in a separate message.

I will raise the ground temperature to 90 degrees in the warm hide. Excellent!

The night moon light is this 1W led light: Amazon.com
it is located on the top back corner on the cool end of the terrarium. Let me know if you still think I should change anything or remove it. Many thanks for sharing this link! This is the first I've heard about this bulb. I don't know anyone else using it.

Does this Exo Terra Full Moon LED 1 watt light produce white light? I think it's OK as a nocturnal viewing bulb for a few hours each night. Otherwise, I recommend dark night "skies".

When I had checked the UV levels at the elevated basking area back in the states using a friend's solarmeter they were in the acceptable leo range. I have not been able to check the levels since moving to Puerto Rico.

I will move the humidity hide to the warm side next to his warm hide. Super! That may help Twitch shed better. Cool & humid hides could make a leo prone to Upper Respiratory Infections like pneumonia.

I will update on the urates when he has normal solid excrement. Good!

The Revitalise with D3 is the only supplement I give him with D3 and it has 5k iuKg (I personally do not know what measurement that is) I can cut this back to 2 feedings per month.

Is Twitch basking daily under his UVB? My leo doesn't have any UVB.

IF 5,000 IU/kg = the D3 amount, then it's about 1/4 the D3 amount Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3 provides. 5,000 IU/kg D3 = a low D3 level reptile supplement. I usually use ZM Repti Calcium with D3 at full strength at 1 feeding per week lightly dusted on all my 17 yo leo's crickets at that feeding. Once in awhile I only lightly dust 1/2 her feeders with D3.

When liquid feeding, is there a best range of how much I should be offering? How much Pedialyte to baby food/carnivore critical care?

/\ /\ Good vet questions! How much liquid diet depends upon the leo's size.

I've used plain tap water in the past -- enough to liquify turkey baby food or Carnivore Care so it's easy to draw up into a syringe.

Is 10.5 inch Twitch still growing?

I have ordered the slate you recommended, thank you!
The warm side is about 15” x 17” his heat mat is 11” x 17”
I have the 80 watt DHP.

Thank you for the video instructions, he is still healing from where the abscesses were and is still not the happiest when outside of his terrarium so once I get a good video of him walking around I will upload it.

His excrement still is not completely solid but a lot better than the other day, the urate I can see looks a very healthy white.

He normally does spend some time each day and sometimes at night under the DHP.

I don’t think he is still growing, but he could be.

**funone0** · 12-05-2021, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Freer

I will get the turkey baby food. (hoping the carnivore care comes tomorrow or Saturday)
Revitalise D3 is mostly calcium with D3, full spectrum minerals and vitamins A and E
EarthPro A is the full spectrum minerals and multivitamin with no D3.
With all of your recommendations, I will change to just the CalciumPro Mg for regular feedings, the EarthPro- A multivitamin once per week, and the Revitalise D3 twice a month, with the shed support added around shed time. Thank you!

Mealworms: I will order that food you linked, thank you! You're welcome. Let's hope Cody's Professional Gutload comes quickly.
I have never had good experiences with keeping crickets and twitch has a lot of trouble catching them.
Dubia roaches are a similar situation. Have you ever used a clear glass feeding dish to contain Twitch's bugs or worms?
What is the best mealworm colony setup and care process that reduces the chance of developing or aggravating allergies the most?

Here's a mealworm breeding link with other links included. Have you tried wearing one of the KN95 covid masks when working with mealworms?

For link 99 click: Mealworm & Superworm Breeding . . . . . . acpart, Hilde, & swisswiss -- April 2021 (updated)

I hope Revitalise with D3 with it's retinol will help Twitch's eyes & shedding. Be sure to ask the exotics vet you contact about those specific things.

I don't know what caused Twitch's abscesses.

The carnivore care finally arrived the other day and Twitch loves it way more than the baby food.
I haven’t tried a clear glass dish, are you thinking to try to get him more interested in his food? Do you have any you can recommend?

I am going to do further research on mealworm breeding.

I am wanting to build some custom hides/ramps/basking areas and other features for his terrarium, kind of like this: Huge DIY Reptile Cave | Step By Step! - YouTube
I don’t want anything permanently attached to his terrarium because I still want the ability to take everything out and clean/sanitize everything and rearrange when needed.
Do you have any other guides, videos, or pictures you can recommend? Also maybe best/safest materials (paint, sealant, glue)

**Elizabeth Freer** · 12-09-2021, 04:54 AM

I have ordered the slate you recommended, thank you! You are welcome!
The warm side is about 15” x 17” his heat mat is 11” x 17”. Does 15" x 17" include his DHP?
I have the 80 watt DHP.

Thank you for the video instructions, he is still healing from where the abscesses were and is still not the happiest when outside of his terrarium so once I get a good video of him walking around I will upload it. I understand.

His excrement still is not completely solid but a lot better than the other day, the urate I can see looks a very healthy white. Welcome news!

He normally does spend some time each day and sometimes at night under the DHP. How often do you see Twitch hanging out underneath his Arcadia ShadeDweller UVB? The more he's getting UVB the less he'll probably need supplemental D3.

I don’t think he is still growing, but he could be.

**Elizabeth Freer** · 12-09-2021, 05:46 AM

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Were you able to finally reach the nearby exotics vet?

The carnivore care finally arrived the other day and Twitch loves it way more than the baby food. Hooray! Is that actually Oxbow's Critical Care? I heard that Carnivore Care was discontinued a couple years ago.

I haven’t tried a clear glass dish, are you thinking to try to get him more interested in his food? Do you have any you can recommend? Maybe if the bugs or worms are contained rather than free-roaming, they would be easier for Twitch to catch. I always amputate both back legs of the crickets right below the knees. Then, after lightly dusting with a supplement powder (or not), I place them in the dish. My adult leo @ 9.5 inches long uses a slanted rock up to the lip of her 8 ounce bowl. She quickly figures out how to get her crickets.

These 8 ounce, clear glass dishes are Anchor brand storage bowls. They are sold in 4-packs by Walmart and maybe Amazon.

100616047478978p.jpg

Walmart carries these clear glass tealight holders.

clear-glass-tealight-candle-holder-3-diameter-6.jpg

I am going to do further research on mealworm breeding. Good news! Some keepers breed mealworms in 7 quart Sterilite tubs.

I am wanting to build some custom hides/ramps/basking areas and other features for his terrarium, kind of like this: Huge DIY Reptile Cave | Step By Step! - YouTube

My leo uses this for her warm DRY hide.

61YxB1xkfjL._SL1181_.jpg

She uses the large OMEM terra cotta hide for her HUMID hide from Amazon. Terra cotta is superior, because it "breathes".

51j0v+DN4pL._AC_SL1001_.jpg 86661829_10221698393519102_8748129786678738944_o.jpg 61mhn0mS13L._AC_SL1400_.jpg

I don’t want anything permanently attached to his terrarium because I still want the ability to take everything out and clean/sanitize everything and rearrange when needed.
Do you have any other guides, videos, or pictures you can recommend? Also maybe best/safest materials (paint, sealant, glue)

71H-8497K0L._AC_SL1500_.jpg