Common Health Issues in Leopard Geckos (and How to Prevent Them)
Even with the best care, geckos can occasionally face health challenges. Knowing the signs and causes of the most frequent ailments is the first step to a quick recovery. Always consult an experienced reptile veterinarian (herp vet) if you suspect a serious illness.
1. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)
MBD is arguably the most common and devastating disease caused by improper husbandry.
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Cause: A deficiency of usable calcium in the diet, usually due to:
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Lack of adequate Vitamin \text{D}_3 (which is needed to process dietary calcium).
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Insufficient calcium supplementation.
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Lack of appropriate UVB lighting (which helps the gecko synthesize its own \text{D}_3).
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Signs:
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Limping, shakiness, or tremors (especially in the limbs or jaw).
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**“Rubber Jaw”:** The lower jaw appears soft, swollen, or misshapen and cannot hold its structure.
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Kinks or unnatural bends in the spine or tail.
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Difficulty lifting the body off the ground.
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Prevention:
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Strict adherence to the supplement schedule (Calcium w/ \text{D}_3 and Multivitamin).
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Providing plain calcium in a dish 24/7.
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Using an appropriate low-level UVB bulb (e.g., 5-7% T5 or T8).
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2. Dysecdysis (Stuck Shed)
Shedding is a natural, routine process for Leopard Geckos (Ecdysis). Dysecdysis is a failure to shed properly.
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Cause: Almost always due to insufficient humidity (a dry environment), especially a lack of a proper moist hide.
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Signs:
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Patches of dried, opaque skin remaining on the body after a shed.
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Constriction rings of shed skin remaining on the toes (which can cut off circulation, leading to lost toes).
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Skin covering the eyes or nostrils.
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Treatment & Prevention:
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Immediate Prevention: Ensure your moist hide is kept damp and clean at all times.
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Treatment: Give the gecko a lukewarm (not hot!) shallow bath for 15-20 minutes in a secure container. After soaking, you can gently use a damp cotton swab or your finger to roll the loose, softened skin off the body and toes. Never pull dry skin.
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3. Impaction
Impaction is a life-threatening blockage in the digestive tract.
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Cause:
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Ingestion of inappropriate substrate (e.g., calcium sand, crushed walnut shells).
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Feeding overly large prey items that the gecko cannot pass.
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Low belly heat (warm spot below 88^\circ\text{F}) leading to poor digestion.
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Signs:
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A noticeable lump or dark spot visible through the skin on the lower abdomen.
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Refusal to eat for multiple days.
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Inability to pass stool.
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Lethargy.
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Prevention & Action:
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Prevention: Use a safe, solid substrate (like tile or paper towels) or a vetted topsoil/sand mix. Ensure the warm spot is always correct and verified with a thermostat.
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Action: If suspected, a mild, lukewarm soak can sometimes help, but impaction often requires immediate veterinary intervention for assessment and potential fluids or treatment.
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4. Respiratory Infection (RI)
A respiratory infection is an infection of the lungs or airways, similar to pneumonia.
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Cause: Usually a combination of low temperatures (especially at night) and persistently high, stagnant humidity (lack of ventilation).
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Signs:
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Open-mouth breathing or gasping.
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Bubbles or excess mucus around the nostrils or mouth.
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Audible wheezing or clicking noises when breathing.
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Lethargy and appetite loss.
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Action: RIs are serious and require a vet immediately. The vet will likely prescribe antibiotics. In the meantime, ensure the gecko’s habitat temperatures are correct and that there is proper cross-ventilation.
5. Eye Problems
Leopard Geckos are prone to several eye issues due to their lack of a protective spectacle (unlike Crested Geckos).
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Cause: Vitamin A deficiency (Hypovitaminosis A), a build-up of dried shed skin over the eye, or irritating substrate dust.
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Signs:
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Swollen or puffy eyelids that look like small bubbles.
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Eyes that appear “sunken in” or cloudy.
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The gecko constantly rubbing its eyes on décor.
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Prevention & Treatment:
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Prevention: Consistent use of a quality multivitamin (to ensure Vitamin A is provided) and maintaining the moist hide.
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Treatment: If a Vitamin A deficiency is the cause, a herp vet can provide injections or oral drops. If it’s a retained shed, the vet may need to gently remove it.
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