My leopard gecko has had a black eye looking thing on his right eye. He licks his eye every now and then. His left eye is wide open. I got him from the pet store on feburary 11. they didn't tell me how old he actually was. he likes to be held still. I am most concerned about his eye. The shedding I am trying to help him out but trying to see if he will do it because I am new at this and don't want to hurt him in any way. I have reptile carpet in my tank, hide out, water dish, and climbing thing. The heat and humidity is at the normal settings I have always had it at. about 82 degrees inside the tank. I might turn on a humidfyer to see if that will help him shed. I don't want to pull the shedding off his tail. afraid he drop it. He has shedding around 3 legs and around his head. Any idea of what the problem would be?
Possible Black eye not shedding properly.
- Thread starter I305Evan
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Klogue1
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Hey Evan, while I'm not quite as knowledgeable on in-depth leo care I can at least help you out with what I do know until another member can chime in about the black eye 
I wouldn't be afraid about letting him pull the shedding off by himself as that's what leopard geckos do; they eat their shed skin! they pull it off using their teeth then eat it (kind of gross but true). It's something every leo does and dropping their tail is more a defense mechanism rather than something that just happens. They drop their tails when they feel they are in danger and they are being grabbed. He shouldn't drop it from pulling shed off though.
The temperatures should be much higher, about 90-92. What are you using to measure the temps with? And what is your heat source (lamp or heat mat)? If you are using a dial or stick-on thermometer/hygrometer I'd think about investing in a cheap digital thermometer/hygrometer from walmart. They are WAY more accurate and don't cost much at all ($7-$10), here's the brand I use (basically the same as mine but looks different):
It's perfect for measuring cool side, warm side and humidity! Simply place the probe on the hot spot, and put the actual device on the cool side floor (you can suction cup it or use velcro if you want, but make sure it's near the bottom of the tank, as you want to know the temps/humidity where the geckos will be). It will measure the ambient humidity of the floor area as well as the cool temp. I'm not completely sure on good normal humidity (when not in shed) but I see most people just go with room humidity. Cool side temp should be 70-80, though I like to keep mine around 75-78.
If you're using a heat lamp, what kind of bulb do you use? I recommend infrared bulbs if you must use heat lamps, though heat mats are my preference. Heat lamps tend to dry out the air a lot(though not as much is you get a ceramic heat emitter) and if you use a day light bulb that gives off light, you can't really have it on 24 hours a day.
If you have a heat mat, a thermostat is really recommended as even the best heat mats are subjective to malfunctioning and can overheat and burn your gecko If you don't have a huge collection you don't necessarily need a herpstat or something big like that, although they are more effective. You can even use a lamp dimmer if it comes down to it, just make sure you get the right setting
Now about the shedding problem, if he's "finished" shedding (except for the legs and tail of course) then you can help him out. First you can try getting a large bowl or bucket that he can't climb out of, and fill it a tiny bit (just enough to cover his feet) with lukewarm water. Let him sit in it for about 10 minutes (keep an eye on him in case he decides to make an escape lol) then use a damp paper towel to gently pull the shed skin off his feet. I've never had to deal with shed stuck on the tail so I'd say first get his feet then let him be in his cage for a while; he might get it off his tail himself. If not, though, I'm sure you can get that off with some warm water and a paper towel as well, just be careful not to pull hard or squeeze.
Another thing you can do is make a moist hide, you can easily make one with a plastic sandwhich tub with a lid; just cut a hole in the side, put some damp paper towels in and put the lid on, then put it in the tank. He'll go in there during shed and the extra humidity will help It doesn't need to be in all the time but it's good to have when their skin starts going opaque.
You seem to be doing OK though for just starting out; I hope you have fun with your gecko and that someone can help you with the eye problem. Although I would recommend a vet visit to a certified herp doctor if you have on near you. It would also be a good idea to get a fecal examination done to be on the safe side, so you will know if he has any nasty stuff.
Good luck!!
I wouldn't be afraid about letting him pull the shedding off by himself as that's what leopard geckos do; they eat their shed skin!
they pull it off using their teeth then eat it (kind of gross but true). It's something every leo does and dropping their tail is more a defense mechanism rather than something that just happens. They drop their tails when they feel they are in danger and they are being grabbed. He shouldn't drop it from pulling shed off though.The temperatures should be much higher, about 90-92. What are you using to measure the temps with? And what is your heat source (lamp or heat mat)? If you are using a dial or stick-on thermometer/hygrometer I'd think about investing in a cheap digital thermometer/hygrometer from walmart. They are WAY more accurate and don't cost much at all ($7-$10), here's the brand I use (basically the same as mine but looks different):
It's perfect for measuring cool side, warm side and humidity! Simply place the probe on the hot spot, and put the actual device on the cool side floor (you can suction cup it or use velcro if you want, but make sure it's near the bottom of the tank, as you want to know the temps/humidity where the geckos will be
). It will measure the ambient humidity of the floor area as well as the cool temp. I'm not completely sure on good normal humidity (when not in shed) but I see most people just go with room humidity. Cool side temp should be 70-80, though I like to keep mine around 75-78.If you're using a heat lamp, what kind of bulb do you use? I recommend infrared bulbs if you must use heat lamps, though heat mats are my preference. Heat lamps tend to dry out the air a lot(though not as much is you get a ceramic heat emitter) and if you use a day light bulb that gives off light, you can't really have it on 24 hours a day.
If you have a heat mat, a thermostat is really recommended as even the best heat mats are subjective to malfunctioning and can overheat and burn your gecko
If you don't have a huge collection you don't necessarily need a herpstat or something big like that, although they are more effective. You can even use a lamp dimmer if it comes down to it, just make sure you get the right setting Now about the shedding problem, if he's "finished" shedding (except for the legs and tail of course) then you can help him out. First you can try getting a large bowl or bucket that he can't climb out of, and fill it a tiny bit (just enough to cover his feet) with lukewarm water. Let him sit in it for about 10 minutes (keep an eye on him in case he decides to make an escape lol) then use a damp paper towel to gently pull the shed skin off his feet. I've never had to deal with shed stuck on the tail so I'd say first get his feet then let him be in his cage for a while; he might get it off his tail himself. If not, though, I'm sure you can get that off with some warm water and a paper towel as well, just be careful not to pull hard or squeeze.
Another thing you can do is make a moist hide, you can easily make one with a plastic sandwhich tub with a lid; just cut a hole in the side, put some damp paper towels in and put the lid on, then put it in the tank. He'll go in there during shed and the extra humidity will help
It doesn't need to be in all the time but it's good to have when their skin starts going opaque.You seem to be doing OK though for just starting out; I hope you have fun with your gecko and that someone can help you with the eye problem. Although I would recommend a vet visit to a certified herp doctor if you have on near you. It would also be a good idea to get a fecal examination done to be on the safe side, so you will know if he has any nasty stuff.
Good luck!!
Its like a stick on thing I have it on the cool side of the tank and it reads about 80 degrees little more. I have a tub thing that he came in that I use as a moist shelter. i also have the moss that is damp over top of the heater. (heating pad)
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752691 http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752698
What i use to measure humidtity and tempature. He doesn't seem to show any sign of trying to get the shedding off himself. He got his main body area done but his head, tail and feet are what he missed. I no of no reptile vets anywhere near me... he eats his crickets but not many like he has been. I am keeping a close eye on him. I will take another look at his eye when all of his shed is off that way i know its not shedding.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752691 http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752698
What i use to measure humidtity and tempature. He doesn't seem to show any sign of trying to get the shedding off himself. He got his main body area done but his head, tail and feet are what he missed. I no of no reptile vets anywhere near me... he eats his crickets but not many like he has been. I am keeping a close eye on him. I will take another look at his eye when all of his shed is off that way i know its not shedding.
Klogue1
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Hm, then it is pretty weird that he would have so much shed stuck, especially with the moist hide on the warm side as that tends to humidify the tub more. My male uses his moist hide when he sheds though and still misses some toes sometimes, so your gecko may just be a bad problem shedder, or it could be something else. Could you post a pic of the bad eye just so we can have a better understanding? And just curious, how wet do you make the moist hide? Being on the hot side maybe it is drying out quickly? Just throwing out some possibilities
Stuck shed that occurs around the extremities like the legs and tail of yours is usually from low humidity, but you seem to have it pretty well covered. This is a little weird.
Since he's shedding I wouldn't worry a whole lot about his eating habits unless he completely stops eating. Mine tend to cut down when they're shedding as well but pick right back up again.
As for the temps, so to be specific it's reading just over 80 on the cool side? While stick-ons can be pretty far off that seems pretty good, since it's probably warmer on the heat mat
Stuck shed that occurs around the extremities like the legs and tail of yours is usually from low humidity, but you seem to have it pretty well covered. This is a little weird.
Since he's shedding I wouldn't worry a whole lot about his eating habits unless he completely stops eating. Mine tend to cut down when they're shedding as well but pick right back up again.
As for the temps, so to be specific it's reading just over 80 on the cool side? While stick-ons can be pretty far off that seems pretty good, since it's probably warmer on the heat mat
I try to spray to the moss everyday sometimes before I go to sleep and when I wake up. I always get it when I wake up but not always when I go to sleep. When he is shedding I spray it about 3 times a day and make sure its a little damper than I usually do. I just put him in an extra "sauna" type room. Its the 3rd time I put him in there with the same shed on him. :| I will try to get more of the shedding off. But I have no idea how to do his head. I hope the shedding is the reason of his eye as I have no idea if there is even a reptile vet near me.
am i missing any other info I should give you all?
am i missing any other info I should give you all?
Klogue1
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It looks like maybe an eye cap? Not sure but I've heard of people who's geckos have had accumulated shed skin in there eyes and when it's bad enough it requires veterinary care. I'm not very experienced with this because I've only read about it and haven't experienced it myself. I would maybe say try dampening the skin on his head first and with the skin on the top o his head, use tweezers or something to rip the shed skin down the middle. Then wait a day or so and see if he gets it off himself.
Most I the time I don't see my geckos shed their heads and I only see the last part of the shed when I do see, so I'm actually not sure if they shed over there eyes like snakes do lol... But if they do then it could just be backed up shed on his eye. Since you don't know a herp vet, if it does not get better you'll have to get it off yourself. BUT I would ask on here about how to do it since I've never had to do it before, I wouldn't know the safest way to do it.
But please keep us updated, I hope it turns out better
Most I the time I don't see my geckos shed their heads and I only see the last part of the shed when I do see, so I'm actually not sure if they shed over there eyes like snakes do lol... But if they do then it could just be backed up shed on his eye. Since you don't know a herp vet, if it does not get better you'll have to get it off yourself. BUT I would ask on here about how to do it since I've never had to do it before, I wouldn't know the safest way to do it.
But please keep us updated, I hope it turns out better
Klogue1
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Oh, and the he'd skin on his head could be the reason he's not eating as much.
AMoriarty
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- Juneau, AK, USA
Also I would try to get the shed skin on his foot off with a qtip soaked in warm water.
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