My gecko's eye has a film and bubble. Is this a retained shed?

You really need to take Mercutio to a veterinarian. He is VERY thin and does not appear healthy at all. The vet can safely remove the shed. Honestly, though, the shed is the least of his problems. http://birminghamveterinaryclinic.com/

He may have a retained eye cap which could be the cause of those symptoms. Check temps in the cage. Low temps may affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes. This will provide warmth and may treat or prevent minor dehydration. It may also help is he has any residual shed. You can also massage his abdomen, front to back, during the soak to stimulate defecation. I see you use sand as a substrate, so an impaction is always a concern. Pick up some Fluker's Repta Boost or Oxbow Carnivore Care from the local pet store. This is a better option than baby food. If he doesn't start eating in the next few days or if the eye does not improve, have him seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.

She may have had a retained eye cap that came off and caused injury to her cornea. This can happen during difficult sheds. Only an experienced herp vet or veterinary ophthalmologist can make this diagnosis after a close and thorough eye exam. Lilith should be examined as soon as you can get an appointment. Keep the eye clear of debris by rinsing with plain saline several times daily until you see a veterinarian.

Sometimes, the eyes will appear bulged just before shedding. This happens to both eyes though, not just one. Spyro's eye appears to be infected. This can be due to trauma, retained shed or foreign body (sand, wood, etc.). Ideally, Spyro should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian. The eye can be stained to diagnose corneal injury and flushed to remove any debris. If there is a retained eye cap, the vet may be able to remove it.

Thanks for reaching out about Firkle and including a photo. Vitamin A deficiencies are commonly involved with ocular changes. The deficiency can lead to changes in skin cells (cornea, toes, etc) that affect shedding and can lead to secondary infections. Besides improving the diet, the eyes should be cleaned out during a veterinary visit, and antibiotics prescribed. Warm water soaks can help with the toes to soften the skin, and gently remove. Good luck.

Crested geckos don't "need" UVB lighting as long as they are fed a diet adequate in vitamin D3. Soak or mist him with warm water to help facilitate shedding. The cloudiness may be related to the shed or it may be due to infection or trauma. An exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles would be recommended if the cloudiness does not resolve after the shed is complete.

Thank you for your question about Loki, and thank you for the photos - they are very helpful! From what I can see in the photos, I think that you are asking about the large white area that extends from the eyes forward to around his nose and down along his mouth. This looks like areas of retained shed on top of new skin. Difficulty shedding, or dysecdysis, is often the result of imperfections in the husbandry. I would recommend starting with soaking Loki in 85-90 F water once daily for 15-20 minutes. While in the bath, you can wet a paper towel or cloth and get the areas of retained shed wet. Use caution around his eyes and nose, however, as we don't want him to feel uncomfortable or panicked. I would also suggest evaluating the husbandry and diet closely. You can consult an online care sheet, such as anapsid.org or Reptiles Magazine, and see if there are any areas that you may need to make adjustments. Common areas that require adjustment include lighting (UV lights need to be changed every 4-6 months), temperatures, and humidity/hydration/water. I would also recommend taking Loki into a veterinarian at some point for a wellness examination. Your veterinarian can make recommendations that are tailored to Loki after his physical exam has been performed. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!