Blind?

[Irwin4530]

Ok, I have a gecko that I bought from a breeder about 10 months ago and he is not doing well. At first he grew like a weed and ate EVERYTHING!! Then he began to decline about 3 months ago....stopped eating, tail got thin, lethargic etc..... I should mention he is my first ever gecko. He was on calci sand but not fed on it. When I went to the reptile show a week or so ago I spoke to ALL of the gecko people and (no surprise) the bedding was blamed. I took it out and replaced it with paper towels, began daily soaks and an "emergency reptile aide". Type of paste that he is eating. He also "eliminated" a ton of sand and is very active now.
MY QUESTION: I think
He is blind! He is not responding to live food , is that possible? Can it be related to the fact that he stopped eating and was Malnourished? What now??????

---

He just keeps his eyes closed

 

[pemry3]

Sometimes they have no interest in food. What I do with one of my geckos, since she is juvenile and to reduce the risk of impaction, is put her in a separate container with crickets. This makes it easier to catch. But I cannot watch her eat, or else she wont eat. I cover the container with a blanket to make it dark.

I wait about 20-30 mins and she eats all the crickets.

Probably doubtful she is blind, just doesn't show interest in her food.

Also wax worms are high in fat content, I use them as treats or when weight needs to be gained.

Good luck with your gecko. What species is it?

 

[Irwin4530]

He is a leopard....he used to eats like crazy and now he just keeps his eyes closed. I can "poke him" ( gently) he won't flinch.....but then
His eyes are shut

 

[chris_m90731]

Doubt blindness. He's probably just become sick (er) and needs to some help...which I have absolutely no clue how to provide. Perchance a visit to a "gecko" forum is called for?

 

[Irwin4530]

Anyone else have any suggestions ?

 

[pemry3]

You can also try dusting the bugs with an appropriate vitamin and calcium powder. That is if he is eating. You simply put the bugs and powder in a bag and shake ten unroll coated.

Also gut loading the insects in a good idea as well.

One more trick that worked for a picky frog... I could not watch her eat, I had to leave the room. Sometimes they dont like when you watch them.

If he isn't getting any better I would take him to the vet :s

 

[Irwin4530]

After listening to all suggestions ,I joined a gecko forum and got some great advice. He is gaining weight, eyes are all cleared up and he back in with his girlfriend!!
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED!

 

[CourtneyAndCarl]

Not sure, but there is a specific type of coloring in leopard geckos that does tend to coincide with impaired vision... My little guy is that color and he has some vision issues, but one of them is not keeping his eyes closed constantly.

Sand is bad, even if they aren't being fed on it, because for whatever reason the geckos will purposefully eat it sometimes.

Good to hear that he's getting better, though!