Winter Mayhem

[Geckomaster743]

Well I cant say this season has been easy for me at all. All my geckos are slowly beginning to stop eating,moving,and being active and i know these are all causes of winter but I have 5 problems that are bothering me most. I'm very sorry If i covered some one elses post but I really really appreciate tips and answers to all these.

1. Neo's Eye condition: Neo went Blindish 2 - 3 weeks ago starting with his Left eye being covered in this fog covering the pupil and then to his Right eye irritating him. That fog isn't on his eyes any more from what I know * I'll take another look * but he doesn't like to use them because it bothers him. He stopped trying to eat yesterday thought when he stopped using his eye sight he became keen with every thing else and was hunting like a Madman. He was so good at hunting for those 2 weeks that I had to upgrade his normal small meal worms to giant meal worms because he could catch them easier because they are long and wide. All of sudden he stopped eating yesterday and I really dont want to switch to waxworms because he may stop eating Mealworms completely. Please give me suggestions on how to get him to eat again, or What I should do about the eyes. Im already looking for a Vet to take him to. How much are vet bills normally any way? By the way He uses Paper towel, A Red light in the day.

2. Achilles's Eyes: Well Achilles is fine at the moment though he constantly keeps his eyes closed and tries to lick them after waking up from a long nap under the Light. Its not too much of a Concern but I dont want his eyes becoming like Neo's. Are there any Precautions I should take? Achilles and Neo dont share Syringes and they aren't in the same cage. Achilles has also stopped eating today like Neo... I feel like this has some thing to do with Winter for him because hes slowing down and Neo was an Infection. Your thoughts on this please?

3. Artemis's Eyes and Condition: She was on the Verge of death 3 - 4 Monthes ago but she made a AMAZING recovery thanks to every ones supports and tips here on gecko talk. I feel like shes dealing with the Winter problem too because she has slowed down and doesnt keep her eyes closed but has lost intrest of food as of today just like Achilles and Neo. I keep a heater in here just so it doesnt get too cold for any my animals but at night for Fire risks Achilles and Venus are the only ones with Purple Lights that provide heat. I'm not sure if those are classifed as " UV " but I dont use them alot and I cant remember who but some one on GT told me that it was ok to use these and they were different from the UV Bulbs that cause Blindess. So what do you think? Is she Semi - Hibernating.

4. Eclipse's Shed: Eclipse shed last week and she didnt get this piece under her eye lids and on her nose. I really dont want to touch it because Im scared that I will poke her in the eye though she's not making attempts to get it off any more even though I mist the cage. Should I use tweezers,Continue misting, Blah Blah Blah, Your thoughts...?

5. A Question...: When winter is around geckos feel like Semi - Hibernating and slowing down the whole Body's systems. Are there eyes effected too? Like I understand basic movements like the Legs and arms and whole body get a bit lazy but will they get lazy to open there eyes? I had to Move artimes around a bit before she opened them but she still acts REALLY lazy just like all the other geckos..

Thank you guys for reading this. My winter is Hell right now but I hope every one has had a great New year and had some good snow days Enjoy the rest of the Season.. My god I cant wait for Spring.

 

[Geckomaster743]

Agh. Accepting all Advice :3

 

[Caleb C]

For the one that's got skin on here eyes, i'd soak her, then lightly roll it off with a q tip or fingers, wipe the place with your fingers or a q tip, it should come off easily.
I don't think winter affects the eyes, but it slows them down.

 

[Geckomaster743]

Ok thanks, Shes the biggest concern because this Shed always gets stuck on her face, I got it off the mouth but Ive never had to deal with it being on the eyes before. Thanks!

 

[Geckomaster743]

Well I tried, I got most of it off the nose though im having trouble just pulling the whole thing off, One side of it is on her eye lid and when i pull on it i pull on her eye lid and it pisses her off and then when I try on the other eye some is right about her mouth and under the eye so she bites at me and trys to lick it back on. If I keep trying it will evantually come off but this isnt as easy as I thought it would be. Since the season is coming to an end every one is picking up on there eating so thats good. Caleb remind me how you check Blindess and Pupil activity. You commented a while ago if the Pupil becomes thinner when you turn on the light and then turn it off and it gets bigger that means there is some sort of activity telling you its not blind? Im not sure how the absorbing all the light pupil phases are and what not so Im really confused. If the pupil doesnt change when I turn the lights on and off is it blind? I did it with achilles yesterday and his didnt change and they were big the whole time but he was still able to see his food even though the Pupil didnt change with the Light brighter and then ALOT dimmer.

 

[Caleb C]

What do his eyes normally look like then? The snake eye should turn bigger in darker places, and once i turn on the room light, the eyes turn into snake eyes again.
With completely black eyes, it's hard to tell that they have snake eyes, like african fat tails.Pupils dilate to let more light in, it works the same in humans, expect we have different eye shapes. When you're going to bed and your room is dark, it's pretty dark once you go in, but after a while, you can see clearly in your room because your pupils turn bigger and let more light in. Works the same for them.

 

[Geckomaster743]

Yeah.. I mean I knew about humans but like he has the Full circle when he wakes up and then when I turn on the light it does not change probably because he's been sleeping so long and his eyes haven't seen any light. Though I took another look at Neo's eyes... and there arent looking too good. I dont even see a full circle, Im seriously setting up a vet apointment this eye infection of his has gone toooo far. Like its not a specific shape the Pupil is stretched out in to a VERY weird shape sort like * Pokemon Reference * diddo's shape if you have ever played Pokemon. Achilles can still see but I dont see much pupil movement any more unless he's in very bright light.

 

[Caleb C]

Is it like a tokay eye?
Is achilles' eye normally a snake eye with the veins around it?

 

[Geckomaster743]

Achilles's eye is normally a Snake eye when light is bright enough but I expected the Pupil to change right away not freeze in one phase while lights are turned on and off. And Neo's eye is much Wider then a Tokay eye.

 

[Caleb C]

That's weird. At least Achilles can still aim.

 

[Geckomaster743]

Yeah hes able to aim and see, But Neo... His eyes have reached such a state. Its not reserachable on the internet any more. He needs a Vet. Badly. One eye NEVER opens unless he feels like hes falling down normally when I take him out of his cage because he moves up and down really fast, Though one eye opens but its not normal. Its in that diddo glob form.

 

[Khenut]

Do your temps fluctuate a lot? If they're getting cold in your house, then it might explain their reactions to it. They can enter a sort of simulated hibernation called brumation, but it's good to do it gradually. Any drop in temps is potentially dangerous. If the temps are the same, I don't think they'd necessarily notice the seasonal change. They're used to the same temperatures all year round, so unlike in the wild they won't experience Winter as we do. I suggest a thermostat if your temps fluctuate a lot, though.
It's quite strange they all seem to be having eye issues. Good that you're keeping on top of it though.
Vet bills can vary quite a lot from place to place. I ended up spending 90 dollars on a Leo baby just for a checkup and some pedialite. Exams are always expensive but they're a necessary thing if you think your animal is not well.
The shed question- well you can use a moist cotton swab or towel and dab at it. Try to brush it off, rather than pluck at it or poke.
Good luck~

 

[Geckomaster743]

Agh 90$, Thanks again Caleb. Is there a special Pedialite that you have to buy? Or could I just get the Target,Walmart brand. And yes my Temps change ALOT in the winter. My dad doesnt understand that my pets get cold so as much as I complain its always kept at 50F at night, He likes it that way because we have Blankets and he likes to get cold, Its the same reason my Hedgies start hibernating over there. Though I got a Heater and I just keep it in there though Temps always change from 60 - 70 at night. Hedgehogs hibernate at 60 if its for a while because Body temp continues to drop, Leo's begin to act lazy again and stop eating and Blah Blah Blah. This happens every other week because I switch every friday and stay one week at dads then to moms. They begin to recover at moms though because Temp is always the same at 74, So every things fine. Hopefully stuff will work out and Springs coming so Im excited, This winter has been hell :/ But yeah. How much do you think an Eye check up would go for, And can eye damage thats not caused by Physical damage be repaired. What I mean by that is, Since he was not Bruised or poked in the eye and it was only an infection is there still a chance? He can still hunt and live and all but I prefer hes happy with seeing again.

 

[Khenut]

You should consult your nearest Vet, they will be able to give you a more accurate answer to all those questions. Make sure it's an Exotic Vet, that can treat Leopard Geckos or Reptiles properly.
I would suggest investing in a way to keep the temps consistent. UTH are well enough on their own, but the air temps shouldn't get to 60, that's too low. You could use a low wattage heat bulb above the tank to make sure their environment stays warm at night. Thermostat can help you keep it consistent.

 

[maverickgrl79]

Ok thanks, Shes the biggest concern because this Shed always gets stuck on her face, I got it off the mouth but Ive never had to deal with it being on the eyes before. Thanks!

my girl Luna has this same issue i use the Q-tip it works great and now she closes her eyes and leans in lol

 

[Geckomaster743]

Thanks Khenut, Yeah I will. I'll probably invest in some UTH's just because Bulbs cost 15 - 30$ on there own.

 

[Caleb C]

Bulbs are cheap, they shouldn't exceed $10. Most are around $5-8 and work extremely well.

 

[Geckomaster743]

Yeah but those Red lights are a bit costly, And my pets mart charges ALOT for them. Its a rip off :/

 

[Caleb C]

Why not get another color?
Exo terra makes great ones at great prices. I got my sunglo 60w at petsmart for around $6

 

[Geckomaster743]

Hahaha think my Petsmart really makes money off of us, I dont always buy red bulb's I use 4 Other ones that are the Normal Sunglow day bulbs, But It may be because of the brand that I use.. They have several types and they are all around 15$ Minimum. Even if they are the brand you use.