HELP!!! Blind Albino...

[GeckoGirl7]

I think my male albino Leopard Gecko is blind. He does not eat well unless hand fed. If/When he does try and eat on his own it seems as though he can only see crickets that are far away due to the fact that he does not try and eat the ones that are right next to his mouth. Is there any sure way to tell other than this? Is there anything I can do to correct the vision (i.e. vitamin deficiency)????

Any and all information would be greatly appreciated

 

[acpart]

You may get more info as to whether he's blind by holding him up to the light (dim in this case since he's an albino) and seeing if his pupils react. Many blind leos learn to hunt by smell or touch. You can also put him in a very small space (like a 6qt tub) for feeding so the feeders can't get away, or hold the feeder and tickle his face with it. You may want to visit a vet to get a better opinion.

Aliza

 

[Conched]

How old is he ? How often do you try feeding crickets ?

I have noticed that some of my young albino's tend to have to learn how to hunt crickets. They start out somewhat non responsive and sluggish and even seem blind. The cricket is right under their nose not moving and they have no clue its there. As time goes by their hunting skills seem to improve.

I assume you are feeding at night, if not try that. My albinos feed best with the lights out. Stinks because I don't get to really enjoy the hunt but it is obviously better for them.

 

[XoVictoryXo]

Yes feed at night. If he can see far away he is not blind. practice makes perfect when it comes to hunting so keep trying with him. Does he have red eyes? if so that means he is uber sensitive to light. ensure you are gutloading all insects with a good gutload repashy/trexx and dust with multivitamin once a week and calcium every feeding. are you using heat bulbs?

 

[GeckoGirl7]

I have checked to see if his eyes react to the light (his eyes are a yellow color so he is not overly sensitive to light) and his pupils do react. I have not yet tried feed him at night; I think that will be my next test. I don't know how old he is since I purchased him from a pet store but I feed him every day. He usually eats a few crickets a day when he is hand fed but will not actively try and hunt if I just leave him to it on his own.

 

[XoVictoryXo]

yeh basically he is just spoiled. lol
try to taunt him more with the crickets/worms. make him work for his food hahah.

 

[Mardy]

They do get conditioned to hand feeding and will get spoiled if they get used to it. But when hunger sits in, you usually can get them to go after the feeders. Just remember to never let the crickets free roam in the tank for longer than 15-20mins if they don't get eaten. Always take them out if they are not finished by your gecko otherwise they can bother your gecko, chew on the gecko's soft spots, eat gecko feces and defecate themselves, making things messy and unsanitary, etc..

 

[GeckoGirl7]

He has been eating more lately. Hopefully it was just him learning to hunt on his own instead of being fed.

I always make sure and take the extra crickets out or I just don't put as many in there so I can keep track of how many he is eating and how often.

Thank you all for all of your help