Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My girlfriend owns 1.1 geckos, almost fullgrown that have been doing well until recently. I had noticed a little aggression by the male towards the female but did not worry too much because they both seemed healthy and were eating. Recently though, the male has fallen ill. Both of his eyes are swollen shut and he lays in the same spot for long periods of time. Also, he has stopped eating his skins and seems to be having shedding problems. His tale is losing its fat reserves also.
They are in a 20 gallon, with multiple hides, paper towel substrate, as well as a moist hide and they eat dusted meal worms. They also have an UTH under one end of the tank.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Sorry about the length.

Tony

mealworms are high in phosphourous so if that is their only diet chances are they are calcium deficient. mealworms are also very slick and the dusting generally does not stick well. you should be feeding crickets primarily with mealworms being an occasional treat.

its possible that he is calcium deficient, and that may explain the lethargic behavior and the closed eyes, it may be a very weak animal.

i would get him to your local herp vet ASAP for a positive ID on the illness. if i had to guess though, by what you describe, i think the diet is the main problem, it may have led to serious calcium issues.

l
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Leopard Geckos ROCK!!!
Leopard Geckos ROCK!!!
Leopard Geckos ROCK!!!
Leopard Geckos ROCK!!! Leopard Geckos ROCK!!!
Leopard Geckos ROCK!!!
Leopard Geckos ROCK!!!
Leopard Geckos ROCK!!!

Thus, feeding crickets as the staple part of the animals diet could end up being more harmful then good...

My geckos get crickets twice a week, and the rest of the time they are fed mealworms dusted with Rep-Cal and Herptivite. They all have a mealworm filled dish in the enclosures 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This to me doesn't sound like the gecko is experiencing Hypocalcimia (MBD). Sounds like it's something else in my eyes. I highly doubt is has to do with the fact that your gecko has been eating mealies as the main part of the diet...

I'd get the lizard to a vet asap as well, and let them diagnose the problem.

Maybe too much Vitamin A? I've seen reptiles have experience eye problems when there is Vitamin A toxicity going on.

If you think there is a problem delivering dust on worms try musting them before you dust them, that way the dust sticks to the mealworms. That is what I do. And as for the crickets and that paracites, if you breed your own crickets you are much less lickly to have a problem with unhealthy bugs.
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~Akira
1.0 African Fat-tailed Gecko
0.0.1 Leopard Gecko (hypo tangrine circle-back?)
0.0.2 Red Ear Slider