Alrighty, need some help here

[*vIpPiE*]

Hey guys, I need some help/thoughts.

My gecko's name is Vippie, she is under 6 months. Here is her cage info:
1. 10 gal
2. Hot side 85-90/cool side 75
3. Mealworms and water always avalible
4. Heat is from an undertank heater
5. Other items in tank: Humid hide, half log (not real), desert plant (not real) and climb toy.

The past two weeks Vippies eyes got swollen and she stopped eating, (therefore stopped going to the bathroom). She got lethargic and just looked sickly. She was in the middle of a shed, kinda halfway done.
SO I took her to the vet yesterday and he told me he ruled out impaction and other stuff such as a cold etc. etc. He said the top most common thing that came to his mind was parasites but he wasn’t sure. He also stated he thought that because she hadn't shed for a while and stopped eating, and her eyes were closed (he washed them out and the swelling went down). So I took her home and fed her some baby food and water through a syringe. I was just excited she was eating. Next, I found her in her water bowl soaking and she hasn't done that at all since she got sick! Then the next morning I found a small feces as well. She perked up a little bit. Ok here's the interesting part. After we started to soak her and get some food in her belly she started a full blown shed! Head, body tail and all. It's weird since the doc said she hasn’t been shedding...?? She is starting to look a bit better and her feces aren’t runny whatsoever. Do you guys think she just had a bad shed stuck? And how long does shedding last? The vet also said she was dehydrated and we are working on that as well. I'm starting to wonder if this was just a really bad shed, and she was way to dehydrated.... :main_huh:

 

[Adinar]

Wow, that might've been it. If she's bouncing back like that, that's wonderful! Keep us posted.

 

[ariana]

id get the temps up on the warm side to 95 personally.

 

[*vIpPiE*]

I'm starting to wonder if he is Vit. A defiant! I read some post's on it, and it seems very very likely, his eyelids were swollen.

 

[lillith]

I agree a 40 or 50 watt red basking bulb on the warm side wouldn't hurt.

 

[*vIpPiE*]

Thanks for the imput! I will try that out...and here is another thing I just found:
Cause: Lack of appropriate levels of Vitamin A in the diet.
Why Vitamin A is Important: Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that is an essential part of the diet. It is important in the functioning of the skin, mucous membranes, retina (part of the eye), muscles, immune system, reproductive system and other systems of the body.
Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency: The first symptom owners typically notice is swollen eyelids (especially in turtles) -- this can become so pronounced that the eyes cannot be opened. Other symptoms include:

* Swelling around eyes and mouth
* Nasal discharge
* Stomatitis (inflammation of the lining of mouth)
* Weakness
* Loss of appetite; weight loss
* Decreased growth rate
* Can be fatal in severe cases

In addition, reptiles suffering from vitamim A deficiency can be more susceptible to skin and respiratory infections. A diet deficient in vitamin may also be lacking in other nutrients; metabolic bone disease my be seen along with vitamin A deficiency.
Treatment: If your reptile is exhibiting symptoms of vitamin A deficiency, you should take your pet to a herp vet. Vitamin A deficiency is best treated if caught early -- severe cases can leave lasting problems. A course of injectable or oral vitamin A may be prescribed, along with instituting dietary changes to prevent a recurrence. Any secondary infections or other nutrient deficiencies will also need to be treated.
Prevention: Animals feed a healthy well balanced diet do not usually have problems with vitamin A levels. A healthy diet includes properly gut loading insect prey (especially with vegetables high in vitamin A), and supplementing with a multivitamin. Foods rich in vitamin A include apricots, broccoli leaves and flowerets, carrots, collard greens, dandelion greens (no pesticides or fertilizers!), kale, mustard greens, papaya, parsley, sweet potatoes, turnip greens, yellow squash. These are all good to offer to your feeder insects. Generally, a good reptile multivitamin should given as well: more on that below.
Vitamin Supplements - Type: There is some controversy over the best form of vitamin A to provide. Because too much Vitamin A is also harmful, some experts recommend using a supplement with beta carotene rather than vitamin A; the body then converts beta carotene to the needed vitamin A. However, some animals are not able to make this conversion. For example, there is some evidence that chameleons are in this group so they can suffer vitamin A deficiency even if receiving a supplement. Choosing a supplement with vitamin A is likely fine as long as you do not overdo it.
Vitamin Supplements - How Often: Your best bet is to discuss a supplementation schedule with your vet as requirements depend on age, body condition, reproductive status, etc. Still, little is knows about the specific amounts needed by our pets. Many experts recommend that a healthy adult reptile fed a varied, properly gut loaded diet only need a multivitamin once a week (calcium supplements more often), and juveniles every other feeding.
The Bottom Line: Feeding your reptile a varied, healthy and well-balanced diet is the best way to prevent a deficiency in vitamin A. If you suspect your reptile is suffering from any sort of deficiency or illness, please see a vet as quickly as possible.



My gecko has all of these sympotoms except Nasal discharge! And the very first thing I noticed was her swollen eyes. What do you guys think? I am going to try giving him Flukers Repta-Vitamin mix. How much should I give him? How often?

 

[acpart]

The two best vitamin supplements with vitamin A from beta-carotene are rep-cal herptivite and Repashy's calcium plus.

Aliza

 

[*vIpPiE*]

Ok great thanks! And how much should I give my little one? He is under six months and I want to mix it in his food

 

[acpart]

Ok great thanks! And how much should I give my little one? He is under six months and I want to mix it in his food

Generally people dust the feeders with the supplements. I don't know if your guy needs extra vitamin A in a pure form or what. If possible, I recommend asking a vet how to proceed.

Aliza