Leopard Gecko Eye Issues (Bad Shed)

[Pissykrissy3]

Hello! This is all the information I can think to list.
Name: Hummus
Gender: Most likely Female
Age: Approximately 9 months old (owned for 8)
Diet: Live mealworms (only until November, my temporary residence owner doesn't want me keeping crickets) and two wax worms a week (fatten her up a little)
Heating: UTH
Substrate: Paper towel
Hides: One hide on heated side (humid), one on cool (though she hardly uses them anymore)
Extra: Calcium with d3 in a dish that she licks from, water dish, 10g tank waiting for money for 20g
Issue: She shed two nights ago, and yesterday I began helping her remove a bit of skin from her face and head with qtips+water+shed ease, however her eye is being held shut. I managed to get any skin around the eye off (there was some underneath), and her eye was still squinty and only opening fully occasionally, and the very edges of the lids seemed a bit red/pink, even though the left eys is fine. Maybe it's a new colour, I don't know. I used an eye dropper to drip a single drop of saline wound wash (water and 0.9% sodium chloride) on her eye, because I read that it can help them. It almost seemed like it worked for a few min, but she closed up again. I'm guessing that it's retained skin in there that I can't get out. Does this mean that I need to take her to the vet? Or do you think there's something else I can do?
Thanks so much

 

[kvnsu]

Hello! This is all the information I can think to list.
Name: Hummus
Gender: Most likely Female
Age: Approximately 9 months old (owned for 8)
Diet: Live mealworms (only until November, my temporary residence owner doesn't want me keeping crickets) and two wax worms a week (fatten her up a little)
Heating: UTH
Substrate: Paper towel
Hides: One hide on heated side (humid), one on cool (though she hardly uses them anymore)
Extra: Calcium with d3 in a dish that she licks from, water dish, 10g tank waiting for money for 20g
Issue: She shed two nights ago, and yesterday I began helping her remove a bit of skin from her face and head with qtips+water+shed ease, however her eye is being held shut. I managed to get any skin around the eye off (there was some underneath), and her eye was still squinty and only opening fully occasionally, and the very edges of the lids seemed a bit red/pink, even though the left eys is fine. Maybe it's a new colour, I don't know. I used an eye dropper to drip a single drop of saline wound wash (water and 0.9% sodium chloride) on her eye, because I read that it can help them. It almost seemed like it worked for a few min, but she closed up again. I'm guessing that it's retained skin in there that I can't get out. Does this mean that I need to take her to the vet? Or do you think there's something else I can do?
Thanks so much

Regarding your husbandry and feeding, everything seems right but..please remove the calcium with D3, as they can easily overdose on it.. even on the label of the supplement says dust according to your gecko's weight. Are you aware of the fat content of a wax worm? Nether less its very fatty and can lead to Heptatic Lipidosis (Fatty liver disease) in your gecko. Wax worms are unnecessary but can of course but fed as a treat rarely. To 'fatten' up your gecko, remember the best diet is a varied diet.

Yes it seems you have tried every option possible to help your gecko.. I would highly recommend a vet visit to properly diagnose your gecko. In addition, to getting the correct treatment from a professional. Usually stuck eye sheds are linked to improper moist hides, loose substrate, or lack of vitamin A.. Are you dusting with any type of vitamin supplement, at least once a week? Lastly, Petco has a dollar per gallon sale so keep an eye on your local ad for some good deals.. the last time they had that in my area was in late July.

 

[Pissykrissy3]

Regarding your husbandry and feeding, everything seems right but..please remove the calcium with D3, as they can easily overdose on it.. even on the label of the supplement says dust according to your gecko's weight. Are you aware of the fat content of a wax worm? Nether less its very fatty and can lead to Heptatic Lipidosis (Fatty liver disease) in your gecko. Wax worms are unnecessary but can of course but fed as a treat rarely. To 'fatten' up your gecko, remember the best diet is a varied diet.

Yes it seems you have tried every option possible to help your gecko.. I would highly recommend a vet visit to properly diagnose your gecko. In addition, to getting the correct treatment from a professional. Usually stuck eye sheds are linked to improper moist hides, loose substrate, or lack of vitamin A.. Are you dusting with any type of vitamin supplement, at least once a week? Lastly, Petco has a dollar per gallon sale so keep an eye on your local ad for some good deals.. the last time they had that in my area was in late July.

I'm a little embarrassed, I honestly have not read anything about vitamin A supplements, which is weird because I've been reading up on this stuff a lot over the past 8 months. I must have gotten it confused with something else. I believe mealworms have vit. A but I am probably wrong. I seriously don't know how I overlooked that. I will buy some supplements tomorrow. Also, the wax worms were really just to fatten the tail a little, just because it's not quite as thick as I think it should be. But back to the topic, I will work out trying to get in with the vet as soon as possible. Thanks so much for responding quickly.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I'm a little embarrassed, I honestly have not read anything about vitamin A supplements, which is weird because I've been reading up on this stuff a lot over the past 8 months. I must have gotten it confused with something else. I believe mealworms have vit. A but I am probably wrong. I seriously don't know how I overlooked that. I will buy some supplements tomorrow. Also, the wax worms were really just to fatten the tail a little, just because it's not quite as thick as I think it should be. But back to the topic, I will work out trying to get in with the vet as soon as possible. Thanks so much for responding quickly.

Hello Pissykrissy3 ~

kvnsu covered husbandry pretty well.

I have several questions and further suggestions.

1. Eyes are crucial. A vet is the best bet. Perhaps we can help it from happening again.

2. What type thermometer do you use to monitor the temps?

Recommended temperatures for all leos regardless of size
88-93 F (31-34 C) ground temp at warm end inside the warm dry hide
no greater than 85 F (29.5 C) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the warm end
no greater than 75 F (24.5 C) air temp - 4 inches above ground on the cool end

Leave the UTH on 24/7. Turn off the overhead lighting/heating at night (~12 hours on and ~12 hours off) unless ambient room temperatures are particularly cool during the night.

3 Substrate in the cage?

4. Warm moist hide 24/7?

5. Remove any supplement from the enclosure, please.

6. Lightly dust crickets, Blaptica dubia, and mealworms with Zoo Med's supplements like this:

Monday - lightly dust with Zoo Med's Reptivite multivitamin without D3
Wednesday - lightly dust with Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3
Saturday - lightly dust with Zoo Med's Repti Calcium with D3

Use the Reptivite multivitamin sparingly! The directions on both containers suggest dusting according to your gecko's weight.

Zoo Med's is an excellent brand. Many leo keepers use these.

7. Following the Leo Care Sheet linked below in my signature you'll find 4 posts written by experienced leo breeder and admin Hilde: #22, 48, 85, and 96. Check those out for excellent supplement advice and Hilde's reasons why.

 

[Pissykrissy3]

Thank you, I will put all of this information into action. Anyway, something crazy happened! I looked at my gecko earlier and she had her one eye shut like before, but I looked at her a few minutes ago and both eyes are wide open and she's up and moving around. What's up with that? I haven't had the chance to make a lot of changes except for removing the d3 powder. I will be getting the vit. A tomorrow after I get my paycheck, because an emergency came up Tuesday night and I didn't have enough cash to buy some. Hopefully she managed to fix her problem herself? I will schedule the vet appointment tomorrow as planned if her eye is shut again.

 

[hmarie186]

Insects are generally pretty poor sources of vitamin A. Reptivite supplements contain it and you can help boost it in the feeders by offering sweet potatoes. Also feeding a chicken layer crumble like albers or layena that is fortified and has a nice ca ratio is beneficial.