Things have been mad for the last ten days: visitors, decorating, social engagements – there has been no time to stop or take a breath.
And Leonard has not looked well. 
I have been giving him warm baths twice a day because he has not been shedding his skin thoroughly. He has looked so miserable and by yesterday he was just lying in his cave with his eyes shut. He gave up eating, drinking or moving about and I decided it was time to take immediate action. So we drove forty miles to an International Zoo Vet who spent an hour and a quarter with him. He had to have an anaesthetic, then his old dry skin was removed from his face and toes, and various bits and pieces were prodded, and swabbed. To my shame it turns out that he has gum disease, mild conjunctivitis and some internal inflammation where some old skin has become hard and stuck. Apparently all this has been caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A. I feel like the pet owner from hell.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, he was given antibiotic, painkiller and Vit. A injections: his sore toes, where the skin was pulled off were covered with special cream, and I have come home with eye drops, special vit. and min. supplements, and a series of injections which I am to give him myself. We had to wait for over an hour and a half to get to see the Vet after driving for the same length of time, and then driving home again. On the way home we visited a specialist shop to buy a larger heat mat for him and a digital thermometer so that we can monitor his vivarium temperatures more accurately. We were physical and emotional wrecks, having thought he might not even survive the trip, and our wallets are crippled!! We could have bought eleven new geckos for what we spent and I must admit to being rather shell-shocked by the expense. But there is nothing else we would do. Still, it seems ironic that caring for a pet that we would not ever have thought of keeping had not a member of the family outgrown it, has cost so much.
However, this morning he was a gecko renewed. 
Lively, interested and very definitely not wanting me to put his eye drops in: a great change from the quiet, placid creature to whom I have been giving baths recently! He has to go back in two weeks to check on his progress, but interestingly, the vet said that he looked in wonderful condition, despite the problems. They are all at an early stage, so should be successfully treatable. She said that it was because we cared about him that we had taken the correct action at once, and that we should not go on a guilt trip. Kind of her, but I do feel very ignorant and rather cruel.
You live and learn.
He really does look much happier now doesn’t he! He’s even poking his tongue out at you
Such a hard creature to look after, I think you did amazingly well if the Vet said that. They normally make you feel like an insignificant / ignorant lump for keeping exotic animals.
Thank you. Yes this vet is lovely with us, although she is never politically correct and some of what she says about some pet owners is absolutely excoriating, I think that is the right spelling!
Commitment to an animal is one that should not be taken lightly, and you haven’t. Yes, 11 could have been bought for the price you spent, but not one of them would be Leonard.
Dogs cats rabbits rats lizards birds and water buffalo all take commitment. Thank you for being a responsible pet owner.
(no, I have never had a pet water buffalo, but I imagine it would be nice, if your into that sort of thing. Me, I am a dog person and will NEVER have a pet monkey no matter HOW cute they look)
/me waves at Leonard:)
I love the water buffalo idea: when I was little several Burmese people lived in our house and they gave me a book about a little boy and his water buffalo who was called Dabitse, which I treasure.
Leonard waves his tail back at you:)
I have never thought of this type of animal as a pet, and surely have never considered that it would return any affection as a dog might. But he seems quite perky and happy for all that you have done for him. I think he is very lucky that he has you to care for him. Inheriting a pet you did not choose puts you in an odd position, I know. You should not feel a bit guilty, only now you are better educated about his care.
Thank you for that support: I suppose education is better late than never!
Can I be your pet? I take good care of myself while you’re busy, and will bask in the warm glow of your panicked care should you find me unwell. I think you’re a great pet owner.
You are welcome to our hearth rug any time you want FL as well as the panicked care:)
You did absolutely the right thing and I’m so glad he’s looking happier and feeling well again!
J x
Thank you, there was no other option as far as we were concerned. I managed the first injection yesterday without mishap!
you really should think of publishing some of your blogs, if necessary do it yourself using the internet. perhaps an animal series as they are classics. would be happy to research it for you.
this is the best leopard gecko pic i have ever seen!
Leonard looks like a happy guy, he’s lucky to have u : )
Thanks for dropping by and also for your kind words. We do our best!!
Hi,I have a leopard gecko who seems to be having eye problems as well. We took get to a vet who said she also had a vitamin A deficiency,but all he did was give her a vitamin shot and advised us to wipe her eyes with moist qtips. She doesn’t seem better to me an this was 3 days ago. Any advice on how I can help her? I feel terrible!!
Our vet sent us home with syringes,needles and Vit A solution, and we had to give him Vit A injections daily for a week. And we have some special nutition to put on his live food and/or in his water. Since he refuses to eat his meal worms when dusted with this stuff, we have resorted to always putting it in his water. Just a tiny bit, and we have to replace his water each day since it will not last as long with this vitamin in it. It is called Nekton-Rep – Pet food supplement for Reptiles and Amphibians and has a huge amount of Vit A in it. It is made in Germany but you can find suppliers on the net who sell it in the UK. It is wonderful for keeping them in good condition and will help his poor eyes and skin. But you do need to get him over this initial stage first, so keep on with the antiseptic wipes for his eyes. But only the special ones from the vet, others may be too strong. Hope this helps, good luck to you and your gecko.