Can Gecko's go blind ?

[ryche316]

HI. I'm new to the site and this is my 1st post.
I have a 2 year old female leopard gecko. When she sheds, she will remove all the shedding except what's on her head. I've been using warm water and a Q-tip to help remove the shedding off her head. Recently she's been sleeping a lot and not opening her eyes. The tank temperature is 80 degrees F. I use a red heat lamp and a heat rock. Today I gave her live food and she had problems finding and going after it. At no point in time did she open her eyes to try to find her food, from what I observed she went by sent only. ( she was never like this before )
Is it possible that she went blind from the shedding staying on her head too long ? or maybe there's a thin layer of shedding on her eye lids that I can not see therefore I couldn't remove ?
Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You in advance

 

[houseb]

She might have some shed stuck around her eyes, geckos can get serious eye infections that lead to blindness if you let it go. I know some people have used warm baths with success. I'd also be concerned about the heat rock, they can over heat very easily and cook your gecko. I think your best bet would be to get a UTH (under tank heater) for heating up her tank. When you say 80F is that the air temp in the tank? Is that the temp for the warm side? More information about her set up would help (ie temps on cool side, temps on warm side, substrate etc).

 

[ryche316]

Hi thanks for the reply. I have a temp and humidity gauge on the glass of the tank. The hot side of the tank is between 80 and 90 f. The cool side is around 70 f. I have reptile carpet lining the bottom of the tank. As far as the heat rock, I heard the same thing about the over heating. The one I have is temperature controlled. I also have the heat rock inside another rock so there is no direct contact between the heat rock itself and the gecko. I have a wood log in the tank. I also have a dish with woodchips in it that I keep moistened with water.
Let me ask a dumb question, How would I give her a warm bath ? and if she does have an eye infection, what can be done for that ?
Thank You again

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

The hot side of the tank is between 80 and 90 f. The cool side is around 70 f.

Where are you measuring the temperature? Temperatures should be measured right on the surface of the floor where the gecko's tummy would be. The problem with using a heat source from overhead is that it really only heats the air temperature, and this can cause the humidity in the enclosure to drop. Unless the gecko has a humid hide, there could be issues with shedding. Geckos need belly heat in order for their digestive system, metabolism, and immune systems to function properly, so a UTH is best. With a UTH, you would have no need for a hot rock or double hides.

Also, Eubelpharids (eyelid geckos) do not have eye caps. Incomplete sheds are generally on the feet/digits, and around the eyes. Residual skin can get into the geckos' eye and cause infections.

I would give the gecko simply a bowl of water and eliminate the wood chips. Wet wood can harbor bacteria and create mold, which can be toxic.

 

[OnlineGeckos]

Let me ask a dumb question, How would I give her a warm bath ? and if she does have an eye infection, what can be done for that ?
Thank You again

Take her out, put her in a container or tub, and soak her with warm water gently. If that doesn't help then it may be time for a vet visit.

I have to agree with the above that you should measure the temperature on the floor where she lays on. Buy a digital thermometer with a probe, they cost $7 or so. Lower the probe down to the substrate so you can test the temperature properly. Sticky glass gauges don't work well as they only tell you the air temperature. Under tank heater is the best for leopard geckos, as it'll produce proper belly heat, it also covers a larger area than a heat rock would.

You'll want to take out the wood chips and put in wet paper towels or moss, covered it up under a hide of some sort. That'll serve as her moist hide.

 

[ryche316]

Thanks. I will definitely try that

 

[Adinar]

The temp gauge and humidity gauge that you have, do they happen to be gold and silver? Only reason I ask is because we have had those and found they do not work. Your best bet would be a digital thermometer with a probe that measures the floor temps.

We had those in with a few different species of spiders, reptiles, and such and they never moved.

Seeing as the issue may involve your gecko's vision, if the soak doesn't work I would suggest seeing or finding a qualified herp vet. They may have to remove any stuck shed or perscribe antibiotics for possible infections if it is to that point.

 

[ryche316]

So it's been a couple of weeks and here's the update. I followed the suggestions and purchased an under tank heater. I got rid of the above tank heat light and got a ceramic heater. I gave my little Leo a warm bath which did remove the shedding. I'm still having issues with removing all of the shedding off her feet completely, some seems to stay. She just shed recently and was able to remove most of the shedding herself. I still had to help remove what was on her head and nose. She does seem to be doing better. She's eating better and isn't hiding no where as much as she used to. She still isn't opening her eyes as much as she used to, but when I give her warm baths she does open both eyes nice and wide. ( not sure what to make of that )
I would like to thank all those who helped with suggestions and info.