Gargoyle Gecko Pupils Different Sizes

[katnip]

Hello,

I purchased my first reptile to place in my paludarium. I've had it about a month and just noticed his pupils are different sizes. It's only about 4 inches long (including the tail) I don't know if the pupils were like this when I purchased it or after. It eats fine and is active and handles well already. I'm just wondering if anyone else has seen this? Is it a bad thing?

Thank you,

Kat

 

[mikew1234]

Without pics, It would be very difficult to diagnose anything. It is not normal for the eyes to be two different sizes though. Pics of it's head would help.

 

[katnip]

Without pics, It would be very difficult to diagnose anything. It is not normal for the eyes to be two different sizes though. Pics of it's head would help.

It's eyes aren't different sizes. It's the pupils. I will post pics tomorrow morning. Thanks for replying!

 

[katnip]

ok so i didn't get a chance to get pictures but it honestly just looks like one is more dilated then the other. both pupils react to light changes and increase or decrease in size just one is always more dilated then the other.

 

[aquamentus_11]

ok so i didn't get a chance to get pictures but it honestly just looks like one is more dilated then the other. both pupils react to light changes and increase or decrease in size just one is always more dilated then the other.

I've observed that their pupils do not react to light in the same way that ours do: they won't both dilate and constrict equally. The pupil further from light will remain more dilated than the one closer. Next time you look at him, take into consideration where the closest light sources are.

 

[katnip]

I understand all of that.....
But like I said. One was always bigger then the other. Not slightly. But obvious difference. Even when it was sitting directly under the light on the top on my tank. Most geckos have two slits for pupils when sitting under a light that closely. I returned it to the pet store because it seemed to be missing some of its marbles. It would fall off of things and wouldn't aim when it jumped. Last time I'm buying a reptile from a pet store. I went to a reputable breeder last weekeend and got a beautiful 4 inch garg. Very bright and aware of its surroundings and active. Friendly too. Hasn't once attempted to bite me. The one from the pet store bit me often.

 

[gecko75dd]

Is it possible that your gecko took a fall and got a concussion? I am not joking

 

[katnip]

I never dropped it. But you never know what could have happened to it before it came into my hands.:? poor thing. i feel bad for returning it but i paid double for that one then i did for the beaut i got from a breeder.

 

[Aimless]

does he have any signs of MBD, or any reason to think he may have it?

I had a crestie once that I 'rescued' from a chain pet store. he had an obvious case of MBD, and he also had two pupils that were consistently of different size. I always thought that his improper early nutrition probably contributed to this additional defect, but I'm not certain.

both pupils were responsive to light and he got around just fine, so I assume that both eyes were at least somewhat functional.

does your gecko have any other symptoms, or does he seem to have a hard time getting around?

 

[katnip]

What is mbd?

When I had it it did have a hard time getting around. It's like it wouldn't aim when it jumped. And would fall a lot.

I returned it though so I don't know anymore information.

 

[aquamentus_11]

What is mbd?

When I had it it did have a hard time getting around. It's like it wouldn't aim when it jumped. And would fall a lot.

I returned it though so I don't know anymore information.

metabolic bone disease. if you don't provide the proper balance of calcium and phosphate, the gecko's body will pull calcium from the skeleton. this causes bone deformities and can actually happen to any kind of animal, even humans. my garg had the beginnings of it when she was tiny. i finally got a grip on it a few months ago and now the only trace is a tiny kink in the end of her tail.

certainly mbd can cause gait disturbances and i think one of the classic signs is an inability to jump properly, but a head injury (which could cause the pupil distortion you described) could also lead to jumping problems. i don't think we'll ever know now that you no longer have the animal. just fun to speculate.

glad you found one that makes you happy. a few pics would be nice.

 

[katnip]

Here is a pic from a couple weeks ago. It goes from ghost white to a bit darker brown then this picture when fired up.