Leopard Gecko with swollen eye Hello, I'm just looking for any possible help for what to do with my leo, I noticed the other day (wed) he had some stuck shed, made sure he had a warm/wet hide and checked back today and noticed it was still stuck, in getting him out for a bath I realized the area is swollen so much so that eye is closed. When your gecko is a baby, allow your pet to eat as much as it is able to in a span of 10 minutes every day. Leopard geckos are hard to sex until they become bit older and start developing preanal pores and hemipenes. But yeah, I'm thinking it's a plug when I pulled out the plug a few days ago it looked like it came out in one piece because it looked like the plug that came out the first time. Make sure you keep your geckos tank clean to prevent any type of infection. YES! The reason for this is that the vent is where their waste comes out of, so if that gets plugged up from something thats hard to pass, then swelling could occur and as a result, your leopard gecko might start licking due to irritation and hopes that they can clear out the area. Leopard Gecko Background Key Takeaways: Leopard geckos make great pets for both beginner and expert lizard owners alike. Part of the gecko cleaning process is licking after defecation. Help/Advice. Many animals masturbate, and this is totally normal, even for geckos. To treat and prevent infection. It's possible he has parasites if he was outside. Leopard Gecko Diet Key Takeaways: Leos are insectivores which means their diet consists of a mixture of succulent worms and crickets. This hide allows your lizard to safely and smoothly shed its skin. What is a vent, exactly? III. males will rub rub their body against the substrate to spread their scent and as for the swollen vent im not sure =/. Dusting vs Gut Loading Simplified: Dusting quite literally refers to the act of coating a feeder insects body with calcium or a multi-vitamin powder of your choosing and then feeding it directly to your pet reptile. So, with that in mind, make sure to always wear gloves, sanitize, and scrub your hands with soap after touching your leopard gecko. Some signs of health issues in leopard geckos . In addition to shedding, geckoes will lick around their vent to clean it either during or right after shedding their skin. If necessary, adult leopard geckos can skip several days between feedings, but most gecko owners offer a meal every other day. Whatever enclosure type you choose, be sure to use a screen top, which will help keep your geckos habitat at the ideal humidity level by allowing evaporation. Heres 7 Reasons & How to Fix Them Fast. Remember, other animals as cats and dogs do it, too! Yes, I know leopard geckos are not native to my area (South Florida). Usually, I would recommend belly rubs to help the impacted substances move through the digestive system so they could poop it out, but since its stuck in the vent and the area is likely already irritated as a result, I strongly advise against rubbing this area and seeking professional help instead if the soaking doesnt work. On the other hand, males will sometimes lick their vents after marking their territory with a liquid or slightly wax-like secretion to signal to females they are ready to mate, even if they live alone! Once your pet is done eating, simply place your gecko back in the regular enclosure. ). After shedding, they will likely lick their vent to soothe any remaining itchiness or discomfort. That's completely normal, think of that as their testes! Causes: Cleaning After Marking Territory (Males), Causes: Cleaning Post-Egg Laying (Females). Discover exactly how to properly do this and more by reading below! Joan. These lizards are typically found in rocky, grassland, and desert areas. Im Devin Nunn, an average joe that just so happens to have a deep love and passion for everything to do with reptiles. Main reasons for a Gecko licking its vent: To clean after defecation or marking territory. If you attempt to remove an item from your leopard gecko's eye, be extremely gentle and cautious. The problem of hemipene prolapse is mostly likely to occur following mating by the male. A geckos vent is basically its genital area, where geckos pass fecal and reproductive matter. Remember to gut-load and dust your feeder insects with calcium and vitamin supplements. In the wild, this would signal to nearby female geckos they are looking for a partner and are ready to mate, but many captive geckos will do it, too. My geko has prolapse. Most leopard geckos tend to defecate in the same spot in their enclosure and will move to a quiet and isolated spot nearby to sit and lick their vent afterward for anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. Because there are around 2,000 different strains of this particular disease according to this source, the strain that your leopard gecko carries is likely unique to them and because of that, theyre immune to it. While most of the reasons why geckos lick their vents are normal and healthy, there is one you will need to keep an eye out for as a responsible reptile keeper: constipation and impaction. n Never grab a leopard gecko by its tail as they may drop their tail. The leopard gecko tail is literally fat storage which serves as an energy reserve they can live off of if there is not an available food supply. In this case, you will need to get your gecko veterinary treatment right away. Unfortunately, this doesnt mean that youre immune to it as well. Signs of impaction in your leopard gecko include: If you suspect your gecko is suffering from an impaction, your veterinarian can take an X-ray to determine if something is indeed stuck, and then provide instructions or assistance in removing the blockage. I know male leopard geckos have swollen bulges behind the vent like that called the hemipenes. During the summer, provide 14 hours of light per day, then decrease to a 12-hour day in the winter. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact an experienced veterinarian immediately. Leopard Gecko Diet Key Takeaways: Leos are insectivores which means their diet consists of a mixture of succulent worms and crickets. Two months ago, Ripto had a prolapse and sperm plug. If this is the case, licking is nothing to worry about. Luckily, its not hard to get off and can usually be removed by simply peeling it off or wiping it off with a cotton swab lightly soaked in warm water. However, male geckos commonly live 10 to 20 years, while the oldest known leopard gecko reached 27 years of age! 9.15.2022. Keep in mind that, like chickens, female geckos lay eggs whether they have mated or not. Over time, your leopard gecko will bond with you and greet you with a series of chirps and squeaks, grinning up at you for attention and a meal. They are native to Afghanistan, Pakistan, northwest India, and Iran. A healthy gecko will be bright and alert with clear open eyes and nostrils and a clean vent. With that said, I recommend checking this tank out here from Amazon. In this case, simply give them a warm bath and gently massage the skin to help loosen it. In the wild, they typically get their UV lighting requirements from the minimal sunlight around dawn and sunset. Juvenile leopard geckos need to be fed several crickets every day. geckos will absorb fluids through the vent area and this will help prevent dehydration. The most basic and common reason for a gecko licking its vents is just general cleanliness. from Amazon. Before offering your leopard gecko a meal, you will also need to coat the insects with a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement. What Causes A Leopard Gecko To Lick Its Vent? Lastly, always choose food items that are no longer than the length of your geckos head. This is one of the more obvious reasons for why they lick their vents, but because leopard geckos are naturally such clean animals, they will sometimes lick their vents in order to clean up their mess. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Hope everything turns out good for Stevie! You can easily find old aquariums that leakso fish owners are selling them for cheap, and, Allow the thermal gradient to shift down to about 75 degrees on the cool side of the enclosure, with, By using an under tank heat mat with a thermostat, you can, One key tip to remember about caring for your leopard gecko is to ensure you. A few days ago, this happened again and I was also able to do the same procedure and it worked out. If youve ever seen your leopard gecko licking their vent, its pretty normal for you as a reptile owner to recoil in disgust at first and wonder if your pet is physically (or mentally!) Many owners choose to start their baby and juvenile Geckos in the same 20-gallon tank adults use. If you think your gecko is simply constipated, some vets recommend giving them a belly rub to try to get the poop out. The other one looks slightly smaller than this bulge does. However, if something is stuck in the digestive system and causing irritation, you may not want to make it worse by rubbing. . As your leopard gecko grows, it can tackle larger prey, and eat more food items at once. If this happens, then soaking your leopard gecko in some lukewarm water low enough for them to stand in but high enough to reach their vent might offer them some relief by softening up the stool, but if that doesnt work then the best thing you can do next is go to the nearest herp vet. It looks like Steve may have a sperm plug or a build-up of smegma in the pouch that his hemipenis is contained. . However, since leopard geckos are nocturnal. This technique of coating insects is often referred to as dusting. If you are looking for some inspiration to name your new baby, check out the leopard gecko naming guide here! Press J to jump to the feed. Offer two appropriately sized insects per inch of lizard length and change their feeding frequency as they age. To clean after mating. As said before those are typical male testes. This behavior is fairly similar to vent licking post-shedding. It is in front of the Cloaca, which is where fecal and reproductive material exits the body. I have the ipower one from amazon and it works great and is only like $20. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Once they have fully removed the skin from their body, they will likely eat the skin (this, too, is completely normal, though it looks pretty gross!). Remember, even a female leopard gecko who has not been paired with a mate can still produce eggs, though they will all be infertile. An ideal humidity level falls between 30% and 40%, which is similar to the humidity level in your home. . While your leopard geckos hides provide most of the necessary security needed for resting and shedding skin, Lastly, always include elements for enrichment and, Progressive weight loss due to spongy jaw and inability to eat, Dysecdysis, which looks like dry skin, causes the gecko to have. She is lethargic, and looks like she has lost weight. A common consequence of poor diet is hepatic lipidosis. I'll give him some good warm soaks and massages to try to loosen it. If that doesnt work, give your vet a call. This is healthy and the way geckos rid the body of waste material. When feeding your leopard gecko, place your pet in an empty tank. Because there are around. But again, prevention is the best cure here by careful habitat setup. Her diet is mostly meal worms and wax worms. Costs tend to be affordable, with the bulk of the investment being upfront to purchase the lizard and set up their habitat. However, the new tail might not be as nice as the previous tail. I agree with MarciaI've seen this a few times myself. If your gecko becomes constipated, they will likely lick the area around their vent to lubricate it and soothe their pain while attempting to pass their stool. Either search online for a leopard gecko with excellent reviews, clear policies, and healthy animals, or visit a local reptile expo to view a variety of geckos for sale in-person. Most geckos reach sexual maturity at around six to eight months old, so babies and juveniles arent mature enough to secrete the substance yet. Although you know leopard geckos do well on a diet of crickets, Before offering your leopard gecko a meal, you will also need to, As your leopard gecko grows, it can tackle larger prey, and eat more food items at once. Leave a comment below now. If your gecko is displaying this behavior, youll also probably notice them wiggling their tail and rear around as they explore their enclosure and spread their secretions throughout. If youve ruled out any of the above possible reasons and have noticed your gecko hasnt had a bowel movement in a few days, it might be time to give them a warm bath and some olive oil by mouth to get things moving normally again. Leopard gecko has poop stuck in its vent. This is fairly common, and licking is a good way to resolve this issue. 5 Reasons Why Your Leopard Gecko Is Licking Its Vent, Also, many owners dont know this, but leopard geckos along with other commonly owned pets carry salmonella in their guts. Leopard geckos make ideal pets for beginners and are great lizards to introduce people to reptiles, as they are slow-moving and rarely bite. However, abnormal reasons can include infection and impactionwhich need to be checked out right away. When you first bring home your leopard gecko, give them a few weeks to settle in. Male African fat-tailed geckos will have swelling at the base of the tail . Other animals such as cats and dogs are also good at keeping themselves clean, but because they carry fur, its much easier for dirt to be trapped underneath all of it along with the risk of it becoming matted up as well. When feeding your leopard gecko, place your pet in an empty tank. First, 97F is way too high. Needs to be CAREFULLY corrected by a vet (such a sensitive area) make sure you trust your vet and depending on how intense the treatment gets I hope he doesn't drop his tail in the process. It's hard as a rock. At the first hint of illness, closely examine your husbandry habits for any issues. If you notice your leopard gecko having issues sheddingthis process should be completed in one to two hoursplace your lizard in a shallow dish of water to increase moisture. It's vent, or opening for urinating and defecating, should look clean and not swollen. a daily soak in a solution of 50/50 warm water and plain Pedialyte for 20 mins. It also had two white dots that I've never noticed before. Hatchlings and juveniles need the calcium and vitamin supplement at every feeding, whereas adults only need it at every other feeding. Leopard geckos tend to shed their skin in one large piece rather than in messy patchwork like other reptiles like bearded dragons. Not because theyre too much to handle or difficult to maintain and keep up on, but because they do so many different things that were 90% of the time unfamiliar with, such as licking their vents, it causes us to worry. Swollen Vent. Waxworms are high in fat, so they should only be fed as a treat, while the main diet should mostly consist of gut-loaded and dusted crickets (more on this soon). Should You Be Worried If Your Gecko Licks Their Vent? In male leopard geckos, the lumps you are seeing are likely their hemipenes. And yeah his hemipene looks swollen to me. 183 Satisfied Customers. A moist hide can double as a cool hide, since if you place your moist hide on the hot side of your enclosure, the moisture will evaporate in the high heat. To keep your leopard gecko happy and healthy, it is recommended to have three separate hides in the enclosurea hot hide, a cool hide, and a moist hide. Many animals do this, its a totally natural way to keep clean. If your gecko is male, you will see the enlarged pores in front of his vent. A long-term treatment plan includes appropriate calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation. Licking may stimulate the digestive system and lubricate the vent to allow feces to pass more easily. If the infection has spread elsewhere in the body, the prognosis is more guarded. into internal organs or under the skin) if not caught early and treated appropriately. With a little time and patience, not to mention the right techniques (see above) you and your pet will surely form a close bond that will last decades! Her diet is mostly meal worms and wax worms. Youll see a male leopard gecko do this when another gecko is present whether that be another male or female or even when by themselves. The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is a cathemeral, ground-dwelling lizard naturally found in the highlands of Asia and throughout Afghanistan, to parts of northern India. Geckos Name: Ripto Age: 2 Weight: 74g Gender: male Morph: unknown How many geckos in tank: 1 (just him) Enclosure Tank size: 20 gallons Substrate: tile and cloth Thermometer type (include location): probe, in his warm hide Temperatures: 93-97 degrees F on his under tank heater side, room temp (70-75 probably) on the cool side While it may be tempting to rescue the sickly lizard and attempt to nurse it back to health, you may be left with heartbreak and hefty veterinary bills. You can see these noises for yourself here. Main reasons for a Gecko licking its vent: This is a totally normal behavior in Geckos, so it should not be cause for alarm. Leopard geckos are susceptible to a few internal parasites, from pinworms to coccidia to cryptosporidium. Important! Thank you for making the Gecko Forums community the great resource that it is! However, if you notice additional troublesome symptoms like those mentioned above, either impaction or parasites are likely causing your gecko to lick their vent more often than usual. Picture of the lump: https://imgur.com/a/E103a. The only reason which would be a cause for concern is constipation or impaction. what should i do. For this reason, sand is best avoided in your geckos enclosure to prevent an impaction. Licking is part of this process. (5 Reasons), or more leopard geckos together in one tank and you dont want them to mate or fight. Why Your Bearded Dragon Won't Let You Hold Him (6 Reasons), Why Does My Leopard Gecko Sleep at Night? Why Is Your Leopard Gecko Licking Its Vent? Pet health information given on this site is not intended to replace the advice of a certified veterinary professional. Laying a clutch of eggs is a fairly time and energy-consuming process, so just before she passes her clutch, your gecko might lick her vent both to lubricate the area and comfort themselves. When you first bring home your leopard gecko, They will typically tolerate a certain amount of contact, but, If threatened, your gecko will naturally amputate its tail, so. ReptileJam.com also participates in other affiliate programs and may be compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. While impaction is the only thing on the list that is a real threat to their health, even that can be treated with the right care and steps. Any underlying conditions (e.g. From there, they will prescribe medications to flush out your geckos system and eliminate the unwelcome intruders. Like other lizards, leopard geckos that are undernourished or live in a cage with insufficient moisture may develop dysecdysis. She just recently pooped and it looked normal. Skin should be undamaged with no sign of parasites, and shedding should occur regularly. I don't know what they could be and he has had them since I found him. . Rocks and logs also offer fun activities and the opportunity for exercise for your leopard gecko. These little lizards are prone to gulping down substrate along with their meal, which can potentially cause an impaction. Spot clean the cage once a day to remove feces, then deep-clean the entire enclosure once monthly. It's also common for males to lick their vents after marking their territory or females to do so after laying eggs. In the wild, they typically get their UV lighting requirements from the minimal sunlight around dawn and sunset. Give us a Call (530) 674-2803. But I dunno what else would make a hard mass like that, so you're probably right. Leopard geckos can commonly suffer from an intestinal impaction if they are kept on improper substrate, such as sand or small gravel. This seems to be a ritual shared by leopard geckos. If the problem persists and your gecko is very uncomfortable and doesnt poop, its probably a good idea to take them to a vet. Its really easy to be forgetful to stay clean when handling our pets, but unfortunately, this same forgetfulness can potentially cause you or someone else to get sick. Internal parasites or stones that develop within the cloaca because of vitamin and mineral imbalances in the diet are other possible causes for an infection. Sorry, forgot to say, yeah I have a probe thermostat to keep an eye on the temps but I don't have an actual like.temperature adjuster thing for the heat pad, http://imgur.com/v266PKe Here is the swollen bulge, with the two white dots on it. Most are common reasons, though some may warrant a trip to the vet. In male geckos, you may notice a series of pores in front of the vent, which become larger as the gecko grows and may excrete a waxy substance. If you catch your leopard gecko licking their vent and theyre not impacted then all the other reasons for why theyre licking their vent are usually pretty harmless. If a stone is present within the cloaca it must be removed for the infection to resolve. Just like humans, geckos become ill if they dont get enough calcium and vitamin D in their diets. When some owners think of impaction, the first thing that they might think about is a mass of food or a foreign object trapped somewhere within their lizards digestive system unable to pass, but what they might not know is that impaction can affect the vent as well. Adults can be fed 6-7 large crickets or mealworms 2 to 3 times a week. Juvenile leopard geckos need to be fed several crickets every day. Constipation can be a common problem in elderly geckos. Unlike some lizards that need different-sized tanks as they grow. Additionally, offer them a few drops of olive oil by mouth, as it is a natural laxative and is known to help significantly with constipated and impacted reptiles. The substrate is just paper towel. If youre looking for a new reptile to welcome into your home, you simply cant go wrong with a leopard gecko. It's fairly common in leopard geckos to lose toes due to that, so make sure you're helping him shed those little "toe socks" with warm water soaks to soften them and gently removing them for him. Leopard geckos are insectivores who thrive on a diet consisting of crickets, waxworms, mealworms, and superworms. One of the last and lesser-known reasons your gecko will lick their vent if they are a sexually mature female is to clean themselves after laying eggs or to ease pain and discomfort just before laying eggs. It is my hope that this care sheet has given you the knowledge and confidence to properly care for your new Leopard Gecko. Tissues which could be affected by prolapse include the male reproductive organs (hemipenes) and the tissues of the lower intestine which lead to the vent. This is another time when you will have to discern whether your gecko is acting naturally or whether further attention and care might be needed. Two days ago (06/28/08) I noticed some swelling on the tail side of the vent. Veterinarian. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Leopard geckos typically defecate in the same corner of their enclosure, and then may go and hide to clean up afterwards. Ive also seen her rub her belly and tail against the objects in her cage. In contrast, gut-loading refers to feeding the insects various nutrients that temporarily fill their gastrointestinal tract. A general rule of thumb for feeding your leopard gecko is to offer two appropriately sized insects per inch of lizard length. I was able to remove the plug after soaking him in warm water, and eventually the prolapse retracted back into his body and was back to normal. Because you can never be too safe though, it doesnt hurt to take a look at their vents to make sure nothing more serious is going on. She still eats and is quite active when doing so. dietary imbalances) must also be addressed or the condition is likely to return. While it looks strange or even oddly adorable, its normal. Females also have a row of pores above the vent, though in many female geckos they are not observable. This is why. Ive seen her lick it sometimes. However, if your gecko is licking frequently, you may want to take it as a sign that your gecko might need additional attention or even treatment. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. If your under tank heater does not provide enough warmth to meet the basking temperature requirement, you can use a heat lamp to provide both a basking area and light. I don't know of any good gecko vets. Although theres nothing to be concerned about, its still important that youre always keeping your hands clean after touching or handling them so that youre not spreading germs not only to yourself but to others within your home as well. So instantly you see this, take them to the veterinarian for correct medical diagnosis and treatment. Your veterinarian will likely need a stool sample to confirm the presence of parasites. Although you know leopard geckos do well on a diet of crickets, ensure the insects are gut-loaded prior to feeding your lizard. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. The gecko may be licking to avoid discomfort of some kind, and oftentimes this is normal. Thanks , Edit: Upon further inspection by prodding the swollen one, it seems there is a hard mass in it compared to the non swollen one, Thermometer type(include location): probe, in his warm hide, Temperatures: 93-97 degrees F on his under tank heater side, room temp (70-75 probably) on the cool side, Heating devices used: UTH, sometimes ceramic bulb if it's winter, Hides: 4, one on cool side, two in the middle, one on warm side, How often: since he is coming out of brumation and lost some weight, I'm feeding him every night. These lizards are a desert lizard, so they do not need an overly humid environment like amphibians. Some of the links may be affiliate in nature meaning we earn a small commission if an item is purchased.