. However, youll still have to take your reptile back to the vet after a few weeks so that they can check whether the ulcer is going away. Give your leopard gecko a varied gecko-appropriate diet and ask your exotics vet about giving it vitamin and mineral supplements, as nutrient deficiencies may contribute to shedding problems. So do your best to try to get your humidity and diet right for your beloved leopard gecko. This means that an old glass fish tank isn't going to work! Very young children and those that have compromised immune systems should not have leopard geckos as pets for their own safety. In addition to this, a dirty enclosure and incorrect substrate can aid in the infection. This is a common problem in leopard geckos due to an inappropriate diet and poor supplementation. However, they are still worth briefly mentioning here. Avoid These Common Diseases When Caring For Your Leopard Gecko Always wash your hands following any handling of your leopard gecko to prevent the transmission of bacteria such as salmonella. Deep clean the enclosure weekly, and spot clean the tank whenever your gecko passes stool. 4 Reasons Why Leopard Geckos Get Neutered [and Problems] Parasites are, unfortunately, a fairly common health issue encountered by novice and expert leopard gecko owners alike. Bacteria can cause leopard gecko mouth rot as well and if youd like to learn more on mouth rot check out our other post. Lethargy. The primary means of preventing pinworm infestations is to simply keep your geckos enclosure as clean as possible. Reinfection is also very common, as the parasite is highly resistant to most deworming medications. Rest assured that your vet will be able to give your leopard gecko the treatment they need going forward. Taking your leopard gecko to your veterinarian will give you the best, most accurate diagnosis. Often, it is caused by an intestinal infection by Cryptosporidium varanae (formerly Cryptosporidium saurophilum). Most times, it develops when bacteria on your leopard geckos skin multiply and become too many. Back-to-School Pet Safety: Keep Your Pet Out of the ER, Pet Water Safety:StayingSafe at the Pool, Beach, or Lake, Keep Your Pet Out of the ERWith TheseSpring Pet Safety Tips, 15Surprising Pet Poisons Keep Your Pet Safe, How to Protect Your Dog or Cat from Coyote Attacks. In many cases, it is common for veterinarians to suggest multiple rounds of the dewormer to fully rid the geckos intestines of the worms. Of course, a change in . A clean tank, a well-rounded diet, and proper husbandry overall will allow your leopard gecko to live a fulfilling life with you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. A common consequence of poor diet is hepatic lipidosis. If the conditions in its terrarium aren't humid enough, the eyelid lining may stick to the eyelid and be retained aftershedding, which can lead to an infection. You may notice the pet lizard becoming less active. Symptoms include: Open mouth breathing / gaping mouth Clogged nostrils Lethargy This parasite is extremely resistant to both treatment and most cleaning solutions and has even been known to survive on surfaces after being cleaned with bleach. Incorrect humidity will cause infections. If you suspect your pet has a respiratory infection, visit your vet to ensure it gets the proper treatment quickly to speed up recovery. What to Do if Your Leopard Gecko Has Eye Issues - The Spruce Pets Sometimes they like to rub their bodies on things in their tank when they shed and sharp objects could hurt them. Unfortunately, when infected, the symptoms can be sub-clinical and non-specific. Leopard Gecko: Eye Infections - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. While these are lovable, they increase the area that is at threat for infection. How to keep your leopard gecko healthy, happy and safe. Biological Journal Of The Linnean Society, vol 115, no. Simply put, unsupplemented crickets and mealworms are inadequate. While these are adorable, they increase the surface area that is at risk for infection. Like with pinworms, it helps to track your geckos bowel movements to be aware of any instances of diarrhea or other irregularities. Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to your reptilian pet. It is the fee you expect to pay for a routine visit but might be more if the pet is sick, has some parasite infections, or requires some medical tests or medicine. Cryptosporidium, also commonly known simply as crypto, is another single-celled microscopic parasite which will wreak absolute havoc on an infected geckos digestive tract. . If you have any doubts about your ability to do this correctly, it's best to take your gecko to the vet rather than cause it any further harm or pain. This is serious and often fatal, as leopard geckos store a significant amount of fat they need to survive within their tails. They will eat their shed to obtain the nutrients needed to grow their new skin. Make sure you also provide them with a shallow bowl for drinking water, which can double as an extra humidity boost. Also known as ulcerative keratitis, acorneal ulceris an inflammation of your leopard geckos cornea. Atadenovirus (ADV) is a highly contagious viral disease to which Leopard geckos are somewhat susceptible. My leopard gecko looks like it has an ear infection. The right ear is When noticing eye discharge, swelling, or unusual behavior, you should be alarmed and ask a vet for advice. Leopard geckos consume live insect prey items including: Insects should not be fed when caught from the wild as some may be toxic. There are other fungal infectious agents that can result in dermatitis as well. Treating for the coccidiosis is warranted, but if the root cause of wasting is ADV, then the Leo will still not thrive. Also known as mouth rot, this is an infection of the gums and mouth that can be caused by small incisions or food stuck between your leopard geckos tongue. Leopard geckos are prone to eye infections because they have big eyes, particularly in proportion to their heads. If your leopard gecko has not shed at all in a while, the built-up retained skin may be constricting them. This may happen when the corneal (the eye's transparent outer layer) is injured. The moral of all of these stories is that good husbandry, like the shepherds eye, is the best medicine. Cryptosporidiosis. Feeding your leopard gecko the wrong foods may weaken their immune system. Leopard geckos' eyes are large in proportion to the size of their heads. This is one reason why they tend to get things stuck in their eyes, develop abscesses or infections, and generally have more ocular problems than other animals. Read our detailed guide to find out! Corneal ulcers may range in size from a bit of slit to a huge rip or hole. This is an inflammation of your leopard geckos uvea (eye wall). Since leopard geckos can have such a wide variety of eye issues, treatment depends on the problem. The lining is known as conjunctiva and is usually fleshy and pink in color. When a foreign object enters your geckos eyes, they will try to remove it by blinking and increasing the production of eye secretions. The most obvious sign that your leopard gecko has tail rot is discoloration. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), doi:10.2460/javma.252.3.316, Gamble, Tony et al. Knowing what a respiratory infection is in your gecko, how to treat it, and how to prevent it is essential to providing your reptile with the quality care it deserves. A humid hide box can be filled with moist sphagnum moss, vermiculite, or a sponge to provide an area of humidity (this should be changed regularly). Either way, a foul discharge usually indicates a severe infection. A single egg is cause for radiographs, and a celiotomy is indicated for egg retention. This is a job for an experienced veterinarian only. My leopard gecko looks like it has an ear infection. Leopard Geckos are prone to bacterial, viral, fungal, and less frequently parasitic infections. . If you suspect your gecko has a coccidia or other parasitic infection, be sure to see a reptile vet as soon as possible. Unfortunately still a common presentation for leopard geckos fed crickets and mealworms. Leopard geckos need a wide variety of insects that are well fed a calcium rich diet and should be dusted with calcium just prior to feeding. . Cleaning and disinfecting the entire terrarium should be a weekly task and includes a thorough disinfection of all the items within the terrarium. They can also be deep enough to show your pets muscle or sometimes their bone. Adults can reach 8 to 17 inches from head to tail which is significantly larger than their Leopard Gecko cousins who only reach 11 inches. This usually happens after a traumatic abrasion happens to the skin, allowing bacteria to enter. When a foreign body gets into your leopard geckos eye, it can get stuck in its conjunctival fornices and injure them. Really the only way this can occur to a leopard gecko is if it's squeezed so hard that its eye pops out. Leopard geckos do not transmit any known diseases to humans. This is also the case with cryptosporidium. A great set-up is vital for your pet's mental and physical well-being. Leopard geckos can get bacterial infections on just about any part of their body. Leopard geckos also are prone to gastroenteritis, which comes from a bacterial infection. Palliative care may be an option for you if you are willing to invest the time, otherwise euthanasia is often the final result of a bad ADV infection. Clean the enclosure thoroughly with a vinegar solution or cleaner designed specifically for reptile enclosures at least once a week, and spot clean any feces from the enclosure daily. Once again, keeping your geckos enclosure clean at all times will prevent cryptosporidium infections as well as most other parasites. When a leopard gecko has parasites, its eyes can get infected. "Conjunctivitis" is the technical name for pinkeye, an inflammation of the pink tissue that lines the lids around your gecko's eyes. The all-natural dietary supplement from NutriBAC can restore essential microflora in the leopard geckos intestines. As soon as you see signs of retained shed or your leopard just is not shedding as it usually does, take them to a reptile vet as soon as possible. Many owners of leopard geckos have complained that their Geckos keep one eye closed or have eyes that are cloudy. Some of the links may be affiliate in nature meaning we earn a small commission if an item is purchased. Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. Deep clean the inside of the tank and all decorations and food and water dishes at least once a week, and spot clean whenever and wherever your gecko has a bowel movement. As a leopard gecko owner, you hopefully already know the basics like making sure their humid hide is humid enough and that their diet is well-balanced. Disaster Preparation and Your Pet: Would You be Ready? Although animals other than reptiles are victims of this illness, it is not the same wasting disease as that which infects deer and elk. The main cause of bacterial conjunctivitis is a dirty environment. In conclusion, prevention methods are super important. Respiratory infections are common in reptiles and can cause one to lose its appetite. However, when a leopard gecko is sick or stressed, the parasites can take over and cause diarrhea, weight loss, and anorexia. Providing a Home for a Reptile. Crypto-positive geckos usually struggle with the parasite for life and require intensive and expensive treatment; not all reptile owners are equipped to handle such an illness, so rehoming or euthanasia is unfortunately common with crypto-infected geckos. This, similar to pinworm infections mentioned above, will cause the animal to lose weight quickly and become lethargic and prone to runny stools and dehydration. Systemic and topical antibiotics are indicated. To spot and officially identify a pinworm infestation, youll need to take a close look at your geckos feces for the tiny threadlike worms. What You Should Know About Flea Product Toxicity in Dogs and Cats, What You Should Know About Lily Toxicity in Cats. Additionally, leos with bacterial infections may lose their appetite, resulting in weight loss. As you should be taking the time to care for your leopard gecko, you should keep an eye on their skin, mouth, eyes, and tail for any of these conditions. If a leopard gecko has this condition, you will see symptoms like small red lesions or blister-like ulcers on their skin. Therefore, we may collect a share of sales from the links on this page, at no extra cost to you! Leopard Gecko Skin infections can be linked to lethargy and of course strange spots on their skin. Gecko stomachs have a hard time digesting sand, and I really believe calcium sand should be avoided. Geckos are a nocturnal species, and are known for being gentle, hardy, and can live upwards of 25 years in captivity. If your temperatures are lower than 75F or humidity levels are higher than forty percent your gecko may suffer. However, conjunctivitis and other eye infections may also play a role. It results in retained hemipenal casts, impaired shedding and eye problems. Thorough sanitation of all surfaces and careful selection and introduction of new reptile family members can save a great deal of time, expense, and heartache down the line. All of these traits make them popular as pets and an excellent choice for a companion. They do not have sticky toe pads so they are unable to cling to any surface, requiring support at all times. For more information about the husbandry and care of leopard geckos, go to: Leopard Gecko History and Care Recommendations. Eye Infections in Leopard Geckos (Symptoms, Causes and Treatments) If they have a clean bill of health, then you should be good to go. Ideally, you shouldn't start with anything smaller than 15 gallons. Tail necrosis is essentially bacterial dermatitis in your leopard geckos tail. Fortunately, thats what were going to talk about in this post. Treating cryptosporidiosis is expensive and extremely stressful for the animal, though in some cases crypto-positive geckos are able to live somewhat normal lives with intensive treatments like extra fluids, medications to eradicate the parasite from their digestive tract, and plenty of vitamin and nutrient supplements. Carefully spritz them where the problem is occurring to soften the skin before gently peeling it off if you really need to give them a hand. This pinkish-red, fleshy part of the eye is called the "conjunctiva," and bacterial conjunctivitis is common in leopard geckos, who can get it from dirty water or any dirty environment that harbors bacteria. As such, a reasonable annual budget should be between $150 - $250 for a comprehensive checkup and any other costs. Pinworms are very thin, short worms only around 1/2 inches in length.
