Leopard geckos have large, round eyes that make them very cute, curious-looking pets. Unfortunately, they frequently suffer from eye ailments, most of which are due either to poor husbandry or environmental factors.
Its important that youre able to recognize a developing eye problem in your gecko so you can provide the appropriate care and understand when to contact your exotics vet for help. However, you can prevent many eye issues altogether by maintaining optimal conditions in your pets habitat.
Coping With Crested Gecko Eye Infections: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
As a devoted crested gecko owner keeping a close eye on your pet’s health is a top priority. Crested geckos are prone to eye infections, which can rapidly escalate if left untreated. Detecting symptoms early and taking prompt action is crucial to a full recovery. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of crested gecko eye infections to help you provide the best care for your scaly companion.
What Are the Symptoms of an Eye Infection in Crested Geckos?
Eye infections in crested geckos can manifest through various symptoms. Here are some telltale signs to look out for:
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Swelling around the eyes – You may notice puffiness or inflammation around the eye area. This swelling signals a buildup of fluid often due to infection.
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Redness in or around the eyes – Red, bloodshot eyes can also indicate infection or inflammation.
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Eye discharge – Look out for any cloudy, yellow, or green discharge seeping from the eyes as this suggests bacterial or fungal buildup
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Frequent blinking and squinting – Your crested gecko may blink excessively or keep its eyes shut. This could be a sign of discomfort from the infection.
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Rubbing eyes on surfaces – Geckos may try to relieve irritation by rubbing their eyes on enclosure walls or decor items.
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Appetite and behavior changes – A sick gecko often eats and moves less due to malaise.
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Difficulty opening eyes – Severe infection can make it hard for geckos to open their eyes fully.
If you notice any combination of these symptoms, it’s crucial to have your crested gecko examined by an exotics vet. Leaving eye infections untreated can lead to blindness, tissue damage, even loss of the eye itself.
What Causes Crested Gecko Eye Infections?
Crested geckos’ large, prominent eyes make them more prone to infections. Here are some of the most common causes:
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Poor enclosure hygiene – Accumulated waste, food debris, and dirt promote bacterial overgrowth.
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Incorrect humidity – Excessive dryness or moisture enables infectious microbes to thrive. Ideal humidity for crested geckos ranges from 60-80%.
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Foreign debris – Sand or wood shavings can get lodged in geckos’ eyes, causing abrasions.
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Shedding problems – Leftover skin stuck around the eyes obstructs healthy tissue.
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Ticks and mites – External parasites that bite geckos can transmit infections.
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Trauma and injury – Accidental eye scratches or rubbing can create openings for pathogens.
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Blocked tear ducts – Built-up fluid and tears harbor infectious agents.
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Age-related changes – Elderly crested geckos often develop cataracts and eye issues.
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Nutritional deficiencies – Diets low in vitamin A predispose geckos to infection.
With attentive care and husbandry, many of these causes can be mitigated or avoided altogether. But some infections arise sporadically or progress rapidly, even with ideal conditions. Seeing a vet promptly at the first signs of illness remains essential.
How Are Eye Infections in Crested Geckos Treated?
Only a qualified herp vet can properly diagnose and design a treatment plan for your crested gecko. However, most cases involve:
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Topical antibiotics and antifungals – Medicated eye drops combat bacterial or fungal causes of infection.
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Oral medications – For stubborn eye infections, vets may prescribe antibiotics like Baytril to resolve it from inside out.
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Supportive care – Instilling warm, sterile saline solution helps flush the eyes and offers relief.
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Habitat adjustments – Providing optimal temperatures, humidity, sanitation, and stress reduction aids healing.
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Eye surgery – Severely damaged eyes may need removal if infections persist despite medications.
Follow your vet’s directions exactly and finish the full course of treatment. Even if symptoms appear better, stopping medications prematurely allows residual microbes to proliferate again. Patience and persistence are key.
Can Crested Gecko Eye Infections Be Prevented?
Prevention is always preferable to treatment. Here are some tips for lowering your crested gecko’s infection risks:
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Perform partial habitat cleans daily and full sanitization weekly. Remove all waste, uneaten food, and grime.
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Use paper towels or reptile carpets instead of more abrasive loose substrates. Avoid sand at all costs.
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Maintain humidity between 60-80%. Measure with a hygrometer and mist the tank as needed.
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Ensure the habitat temperature stays between 70-80°F during the day and doesn’t drop below 65°F at night.
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Feed a balanced, vitamin dusted diet high in feeder insects and calcium.
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Routinely inspect your gecko’s eyes under good lighting for any abnormalities.
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Quarantine new geckos for at least 30-45 days before introducing them.
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Schedule annual wellness exams, plus prompt vet visits at any signs of illness.
Remaining vigilant for subtle changes in your crested gecko’s eyes safeguards their health. Together with preventive husbandry, you can keep eye infections at bay and revel in their bright, healthy gaze for years to come.
Eye Abscesses
The actual eye may be punctured, become infected, or develop an abscess. More commonly, the area directly under the eye swells due to an abscess from a wound that doesnt involve the eyeball.
Youll be able to identify an abscess if you notice a bump under your leopard geckos eye that suddenly appears. This abscess could be because of a cricket or mealworm bite, or your pet may have scratched itself on a branch or other object in its tank. Sometimes geckos that live together fight, and any resulting wound may cause an abscess to form.
Eye Ulcers
When a foreign body gets stuck in the eye or the eyeball suffers some other trauma, an ulcer may form. This happens when the cornea (the clear outer coating of the eye) is damaged. An ulcer is a hole or tear in the cornea, which may be small or very large.
Eye ulcers are very painful. If your gecko has an eye ulcer, it may be holding its eye shut, trying to clean the eye with its tongue, or scratching the ulcer with its foot.
Rescuing Lizards with MAJOR Eye Infections
FAQ
How do you treat an infected eye in a gecko?
The leopard gecko may need to have its eyes flushed and cleaned under anesthesia and started on antibiotic eye drops and a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medication. In severe cases, the eye may die and need to be surgically removed.
What are the early signs of MBD in crested geckos?
- General Weakness and Lethargy: A gecko with MBD might appear less active, spend more time sleeping, and seem generally weak.
- Loss of Appetite: A decreased appetite or a refusal to eat can be an early sign, as the gecko’s body struggles to absorb nutrients.
- Curved Limbs: Bones can become soft and bend, leading to noticeable curvature in the limbs.
- Wavy Tail: The tail might appear soft or wavy, rather than straight and firm.
- Soft or Flexible Jaw: The jawbones can become weak and flexible, sometimes causing the gecko to have trouble eating.
- Spinal Aberrations: In more severe cases, the spine can curve or kink.
- Tremors and Uncontrollable Movements: As the disease progresses, tremors and uncontrolled movements can occur.
- Bone Fractures: The bones can become brittle and prone to fractures.
- Tail Loss: In some cases, the tail may detach.
- Lumps and Bumps: Lumps or bumps along the limbs or head can also be a sign.
- Scoliosis: Curvature of the spine.
- Shortened Snout:
- Difficulty Walking:
- Jerky Movements:
- Twitching Muscles:
- Swollen Legs:
What should my crested geckos’ eyes look like?
Crested geckos have very large eyes that are positioned on each side of the head. They have irises and pupils just as other animals do. The pupil is a vertical slit and the irises are orange or rust-colored. They even look a bit like a marble in a sense.