Humidity

mikelley

New member
I took my leopard gecko to the vet and he said I needed to raise the humidity level in her tank. What are some ways I could do that?
 

mikelley

New member
I put her water on the warm side. The humidity is around 50%, but the vet said it should be around 80%. How much should I spray her tank?
 
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Allee Toler

Member
80% is too high for a leo. The tank should be 45-55%. Keeping a water dish in the tank provides plenty of humidity for the tank. Take a food container, put moist moss in it, and cut a hole in the side. The humid hide will be plenty for the gecko.

Too high of humidity with leopard geckos can caused an upper respiratory infection.
 

mikelley

New member
I already have a humid hide. You've helped me before and I'm very thankful for that, but I would rather take advice from a vet than someone on the internet I don't know. However, the humidity stays around 45%-50%, so I still want it higher. I don't think I'll be able to get the it that high anyway. All I'm asking for are some ways to raise the humidity level. Can someone help me with that?
 

Allee Toler

Member
Yup. Take your vets advice if that's what you want to do.

Signs of an upper respiratory infection are:
Coughing, sneezing, water eyes, bubbling nose, heavy breathing, breathing through the mouth.

If your gecko develops those signs, take it into your vet, and pay to get some antibiotics. He'll either give you AmoxiDrops for an oral antibiotic or .01cc's of Baytril every day for 10 days through a shot in the arm alternating arms. The Baytril's the route to go, it'll clear it up quick. Just make sure you provide plenty of water during treatment. He'll also advise you to reduce humidity.


To raise the humidity levels just spray the walls.
 

mikelley

New member
Could you be a bit more precise? What do you mean by never? You just told me to spray the tank's walls.
 
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lindsaydo

Newbie
You can use a sponge, sphagnum moss, vermiculite. Like Allee said, raising the humidity to such a high percentage isn't good for a leopard gecko.
Why did the vet say to raise it that much? If it is a skin problem i.e. retained shed, there are other ways to remove the shed and prevent it from happening again.
Allee has many leo's in her care, and has rescued some too. She know's what she is on about. She is only looking out for your gecko's health, and trying to prevent illness in the future. My gecko has an upper respiratory infection at the moment, and she is on the anti biotics. It isn't very nice having to put them through something like that, even thought the infection wasn't caused by something I did, it is still heart breaking to see her ill.
 

lindsaydo

Newbie
Signs of an upper respiratory infection are:
Coughing, sneezing, water eyes, bubbling nose, heavy breathing, breathing through the mouth.

If your gecko develops those signs, take it into your vet, and pay to get some antibiotics. He'll either give you AmoxiDrops for an oral antibiotic or .01cc's of Baytril every day for 10 days through a shot in the arm alternating arms. The Baytril's the route to go, it'll clear it up quick. Just make sure you provide plenty of water during treatment. He'll also advise you to reduce humidity.


So how come the vet said to raise the humidity?
 

mikelley

New member
I know Allee has alot more experience with leopard geckos than me. I will usually listen to her. The vet said to raise the humidity so I want to raise it to around 55% maybe a little higher. I've tried many ways to help her with shedding, and eventhough I help her she still has skin stuck around her eyes, mouth, and ears I can't get. So I'm going to raise the humidity. I don't mind her telling me about the problems high humidity can cause. Infact, I really appreciate it, but it's very annoying that she keeps saying the same thing over and over again and won't answer my question. Telling me once is helpful, but saying it more than that isn't doing anything, except making me not want to listen to her. I don't plan on raising the humidity much, so leave me alone. If she has any problems I'll take her to the vet, which is something I would have done without you telling me. I already knew about respiratory infections and I'll be watching for it. Thank you lindsaydo for answering my question.
 
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mikelley

New member
I'm not arguing. I was just ranting a little cause no one would answer my question. I'm not mad at anyone, I was ranting. There's a difference. Thanks again for the advice. :)
 

lindsaydo

Newbie
Cool. I know you probably don't want to hear it, but giving your gecko a bath and providing a damper moist hide would be more beneficial than raising the overall humidity of the whole tank. For shedding problems i use BioMist made by a company called T-Rex. It is brilliant.
 

Allee Toler

Member
I'm not arguing. I was just ranting a little cause no one would answer my question. I'm not mad at anyone, I was ranting. There's a difference. Thanks again for the advice. :)

Every post I answered your questions after I stated my opinion, against my own will. Shall I go back and bold it?

As for the skin getting stuck. Once a week soak her in some warm water, use a cotton ball and rub her eyes lightly, her nose, and her feet. I have a special needs with horrible shedding issues and giving her a weekly bath has helped immensely. Also try using a sponge in the humid hide instead of a loose substrate. Sponges hold water better, so you can have nearly a 85-90% humidity level in the hide with the sponge.
 
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