Eye infection

Muffins94

New member
Anyone here have any experience with eye infections in leopard geckos? The new gecko we just got has one, and she does have a vet appt Thursday. I would just like to hear what people know about them or any experience treating one. Thank you!
 

Graham_s

Super Moderator
Can you describe or show us some photos of the eye?

It's always a good plan to take your gecko to the vet if you're concerned. You'd be best off following their advice but I imagine the infection is probably something that has been caused by a retained eye cap from an incomplete shed.
Chances are that they will suggest using artificial tears and perhaps a cotton bud to help clear up the infection.
 

Muffins94

New member
I was told when we adopted her that she had previously been kept on sand and that had caused eye problems. Her eyes were completely covered and shut in shed and sand. They were told "oh she has no eyes, so no worries." Well they cleaned her eye daily for awhile, and low and behold she has both eyes! When we picked her up we were told she probably has problems seeing and one eye had just started acting up due to a couple shed flakes in it. I flushed her eyes out for the past days and got part out. When I took her to my local herp shop yesterday they looked and said that her eye is infected. I then called a local herp vet and made an appt, which is set for Thursday morning.
Originally this "stuck shed piece" was just a white piece that we slowly got out. Now the whole eye is cloudy with a brown goopy glaze. She keeps it shut most of the time but will let me open it to clean it or anything. I would post a picture however she is living at my boyfriends house so I don't have access to her at the moment.
Any clue what the vet will do? I looked eye infections in geckos online and saw that sometimes they do cultures or perform stains, and then prescribe medications per the result.
 

Muffins94

New member
Anyone know an estimate of how much the prescription eye drops are? Just trying to see how much this vet trip is going to shock me.
 

cricket4u

New member
Anyone know an estimate of how much the prescription eye drops are? Just trying to see how much this vet trip is going to shock me.

It can cost anywhere from $50-120 for a new patient exam. You probably won't need more than $120, but I would take at least $150 to be on the safe side. You should also take advantage and take a fecal sample to be tested. The $120 is in my area, I'm on the eastcoast. I'm pretty sure it's cheaper on your side.

Sorry, you did ask for eye drop price. If they stock it, it can be as cheap as $20. The most expensive part is the exam itself.
 
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If they want to do a culture, it may be a little more for the exam. Chances are they will prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic drop in the neighborhood of 20-50$, and only do a culture if that doesn't work.

I can't believe somebody thought she didn't have eyes. That's so sad!
 

Muffins94

New member
Okay thanks guys. The first placed I called was asking $97 for just a visit, and the guy wasn't too familiar with leopard geckos, he was more of a snake guy. So I called around and found one who knows a lot about geckos who only charges $52 for the visit + medications.

It's very sad they thought she didn't have eyes and thought it was no big deal. Thankfully the lady cleaned her up and realized she had eyes. And man, her eyes are so beautiful and she has the sweetest personality I've seen. Almost like a bearded dragon temperament. I just don't get how people can mistreat animals :(

Thank you guys so much, I feel more hopeful going into the visit tomorrow. I will definitely keep you updated!
 

Muffins94

New member
Just got back from the vet- turns out Ranga is actually a Rango ;)
It wasn't an eye infection, it was just an eye plug retained. We were given eye drops just to help relieve the pain and irritation. They recommended a 2.0 UVB bulb as well as increasing some vitamin A as he was a little deficient, but otherwise he's in good condition. He clocked in at 60 grams.
 

Muffins94

New member
It's been roughly a month and a half since I have signed on. Shame on me! ;)
Rango's eye is doing much better. We've had the initial vet visit, which an eye plug was taken out and two follow up visits since. He's still on eye drops just to make sure infection doesn't set in but they said after this dosage is finished that his eye should be perfect!
 

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
It's been roughly a month and a half since I have signed on. Shame on me! ;)
Rango's eye is doing much better. We've had the initial vet visit, which an eye plug was taken out and two follow up visits since. He's still on eye drops just to make sure infection doesn't set in but they said after this dosage is finished that his eye should be perfect!

Been missing your knowledgeable presence and sharing, Merissa. :sad:

:yahoo: on Rango's progress! How about before and after picture comparisons when his medications is finished?
 
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Muffins94

New member
I would however I didn't take a before pic. Shame on me. Before it was just his eye always closed and then the actual eye was red.
 
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