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Long Tail Grass Lizard eyes closed

22 13:25:41

Question
We have two LTGLs in same habitat, and have noticed recently that one has it's eyes closed. They are not very tame, so normally if i reach for them they would quickly run off. I can now touch the nose of the one with the closed eyes and it will only turn away or back off.

It did blink when I touched its nose. the eyes appear a bit swollen at the lower edge to me.

Environment is 10 gal aquarium, with hood, two uv lamps in hood, Screw in incandescent, water dish, and artificial branch with leaves for basking near top. Temps seem about right 85 to 88 by day and maybe down to 72 75 at night.

Bedding is a chipped mulch product, is is a bit sticky (Thin pointed pieces) in my opinion, but is labbled for small lizards. Not sure of humidity, but the bedding is typically moist, and we see condensation on glass in corners especially in am or early pm when room temp falls off. Food is crickets and meal worms, appetite were good, but I am worried the sick one may have problems eating if it is closed eyed and getting lethargic. So far she looks like her weight is good.

Help Mike.

Also we have noticed some very very small insects on the glass, but they are not on the lizards.

Answer
The sick one does need to see a veterinarian.  One of the most common problems with reptiles in general is internal parasites.  Since long-tailed grass lizards are almost exclusively imported, most likely they have parasites.  Reinfection in a captive environment can cause parasites to build quickly to lethal levels.  Treatment with worming drugs combined with frequent cage cleaning will eliminate them.

It's also possible your lizard has an eye or respiratory infection.  Either way, the lethargy is a sign of a serious illness, so prompt treatment will be needed if you're going to save her.  She absolutely needs to see a vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment.  Reptile often do not show signs of illness until they are extremely ill, but they do often recover fully if taken in for treatment at the first sign that something is wrong.

It's also very likely that whatever is wrong with your sick lizard is something that will also eventually affect the apparently healthy one.

The small insects are mites--if you are absolutely sure that you never see them on the lizards, then they're probably from the bedding, and are nothing to worry about.  Keep in mind that reptile mites are extremely tiny, and can be very hard to see, if they are on the lizards.