Leo Rescue

**Minkness** · 03-22-16, 09:19 AM

Soooo, saw a killer deal on a front opening exoterra on craigslist. One catch...it came with a male leopard gecko. I certainly don't need, nor did I want another one, but figured the deal was too good to pass up, and that I could rehome the leo another time.

Wasn't expecting him to be perfect, but was a bit surprised at his condition. A bit thin, stuck shed on all toes, and an eye infection. =(

He may still find a home elsewhere, but not till I get him up to my standards. For now, here's some pics of the little scamp.

sirtalis · 03-22-16, 09:29 AM

In all honesty he doesn't look too bad, a bit thin (note his tail) and of course the eye, but I bet with proper food and temps he'll be looking great in no time (weight wise) not sure what to do about the eye

**Minkness** · 03-22-16, 09:45 AM

I have done many leo rescues in my past. Eye infections are actually pretty common. Caused by low humidity, bad sheds, and a dirty enclosure. Getting them healed up is relatively simple, just time consuming. A simple saline solution (I use a non-medicated contact lense wash) in the eye twice a day every day. Should clear up in a week or two.

Eye infections are also caused during a shed when stuck shed is caught in the eyelid or if someone pulls at the shed around their eye and causes a small tear in the scales or skin there. Mixed with low humidity makes it pretty bad. I had one I got that I thought would loose his eye, but a month of treatment and sterile conditions fixed him up.

He is low on weight because all he was offered were small meal worms. So far he's being a bit of a diva and not taking to super worms. I'll just wait him out. He will eat eventually. Will probably go grab some wax worms for the crew on Friday and see if he shows interest.

chairman · 03-22-16, 11:21 AM

Sounds like you've got the eye treatment covered, but you can also use terramycin ophthalmic ointment for reptile eye infections.

**Minkness** · 03-22-16, 11:27 AM

I have never heard of that before. Can youbtell me more about it?

chairman · 03-22-16, 02:47 PM

It is a broad spectrum antibiotic that used to be used for humans but has now been relegated to veterinary use. Was recommended to me to treat wild caught hingeback tortoises that came in with eye issues due to the importation process. I haven't had to use it in a long time but it worked well when I needed it.