Leopard Gecko Disease – Is It Causing Your Leopard Gecko Disease?

Have you ever experienced that your leopard gecko was suffering from a certain disease and you didn’t know what to do? This is a basic problem for owners who are unfamiliar with the most common leopard gecko diseases. One of the most important things is to recognize the symptoms and know the best course of action to take. These are some of the most common leopard gecko diseases and possible solutions whenever they occur.

1. Osteodystrophy and hypocalcemia. These are usually caused by calcium deficiency due to a poor diet. These result in loss of bone density, leading to underdevelopment and brittle bones that break easily. Symptoms of these include weakness of the body, chills, as well as enlarged legs and limbs. These can be treated with calcium injections or oral calcium as well as correction of nutritional needs.

2. Constipation. This happens when a gecko swallows substrates such as sand, gravel, or bark chips, eventually blocking the excretory system. Small amounts of mineral oil can be given when swallowing small pieces of substrates. Other severe cases may require surgery to remove the substance. Be careful when serving food to your pets. Liquid or watery substances can wet the substrates and stick to the food they eat.

3. Oral and respiratory infections. These are the result of an excessively high level of humidity, unsanitary enclosures or an unbalanced diet. Symptoms of oral infections are swollen mouth, bleeding gums, bad odor or drooling. Respiratory infections are evident when your pet is panting a lot or there is a mucous discharge from the mouth or nose. Giving your pet antibiotics and maintaining a healthy diet and shelter are the best cure.

4. Intestinal parasites. This is caused by severe intestinal parasites found in the intestines, resulting in diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and protruding stool from the anus. An immediate examination of your gecko’s fresh droppings is necessary. This can be treated with medication and keeping a clean enclosure to prevent this type of disease.

5. Xanthomatosis. This is a disease caused by excessive intake of fats and can lead to organ damage due to the formation of cholesterol in the abdomen and internal organs. This is usually the result of obesity, especially if your gecko eats too much fatty prey like wax worms, butter worms, and meal worms. You can see this when your pet loses appetite and weight (usually manifested in a thinner tail) but has a large abdomen. This can be prevented by giving them foods rich in protein and vitamins.

These illnesses that leopard geckos often experience can be prevented by maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet, providing a clean and sanitary shelter, and closely monitoring your pet’s behavior. Diagnosing the symptoms and promptly identifying the disease will usually save your leopard gecko’s life. Since pets are dependent on their owners, it is the latter’s responsibility to care for them.