The Ugly Duckling

[IronGecko]

This is my first hatching Leopard Gecko. I tried to breed last year without any success. But I have had a passion for the for about 8 years or so. I had a nice collection of them a few years ago, but thats another story. So this year, like always my female laid her eggs outside the lay box. I was lucky enough to catch it quick. One was fertile. It hatched out in the middle of the night. I woke up to a surprise. I was SO EXCITED! As I was looking at her I saw she is missing and eyelid. Poor little thing.

 

[acpart]

Get a drop of water on your finger and drip it onto the eye with the "missing" eyelid. Sometimes the eyelid isn't really missing but it just notched. I have had varied success with this. I have a clutch that hatched last week with this problem. One is doing well and looks as if its eyes will be OK (just notched) and one's eyes don't look too good; I may have to put that one down but I'm checking to see what will happen.

ALiza

 

[ariana]

congrats on your hatchling!! try what aliza said, she knows what shes talking about

 

[bdevillier19]

Get a drop of water on your finger and drip it onto the eye with the "missing" eyelid. Sometimes the eyelid isn't really missing but it just notched. I have had varied success with this. I have a clutch that hatched last week with this problem. One is doing well and looks as if its eyes will be OK (just notched) and one's eyes don't look too good; I may have to put that one down but I'm checking to see what will happen.

ALiza

put it down? i understand what you're saying but how do you go about putting one down?

 

[Landen]

I've got a big Oscar in a fish tank that has handled my culling quite quickly. I think natures way is the most reasonable. i wouldn't want to freeze to death myself...

 

[Leopard.Geckerz]

Veterinarians can also euthanize a gecko for you. I have had this done in emergency situations and would always use this method, granted I could get there fast enough..

 

[IronGecko]

I tried the drop of water and it didn't show any change. She seems to be keeping her eye open. I can't cull her. Shes very robust. I'm giving her a chance.

 

[Adinar]

I've got a big Oscar in a fish tank that has handled my culling quite quickly. I think natures way is the most reasonable. i wouldn't want to freeze to death myself...

Um, isn't that a little cruel?

 

[Tommy13b]

Um, isn't that a little cruel?

Honestly no its not, if a hatchling will never thrive or have a good quality of life then i would rather put it down by feeding it to somthing, which would kill it instantly, then freezeing it causeing it a slow and painful death.

 

[IronGecko]

Well she is still doing very well.

 

[leolover23]

By putting it down at a vet...isn't that the safe and humane way to go--they just fall asleep. I'd rather fall asleep and die than be eaten...
Just wondering

 

[acpart]

My pair with the eye problems are 5 weeks old now. They are both doing well. The one with the milder problems is keeping her eyes open all the time now and the other one keeps her eyes closed. I don't know if she can see or not, but she's eating, pooping and growing. She will find a home at the end of August when I go to vend at the Portland (Maine) reptile show in exchange for a donation to the Maine herp society.

Aliza

 

[Landen]

Um, isn't that a little cruel?

absolutely not, it's much more natural than freezing or smashing it with a hammer as some people have said. Natures way is best way. But everyone has they're own opinion.

 

[biggoofybastard]

As a person who is going blind I find it kind of disturbing that someone would put down an otherwise healthy animal for it.

I might not agree with the use of a pacu to euthanize but it is less cruel than freezing

 

[Hiccup]

As a person who is going blind I find it kind of disturbing that someone would put down an otherwise healthy animal for it.

I agree. I mean, if she were acting sick and weak, then I would understand euthanizing her.
Any updates?

 

[IronGecko]

update

This is her on the good side. Her eye looks fine and she's a good hunter. Thanks for asking about the update.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

She loks great! Sometimes we have to follow our heart