10 Vet-Reviewed Common Diseases in Leopard Geckos (& Care Tips)

VET APPROVED

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Luqman Javed

Veterinarian, DVM

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Have you fallen in love with leopard geckos? Many people have, and who can blame them? However, while these animals are cute, that doesn’t mean you should bring one home without knowing how to take care of them or the potential diseases that these pets can get.

Leopard geckos can catch certain diseases unique to their species; fortunately, there are signs that you can look for so they can get early treatment. But caring for a sick gecko is never fun or easy, so you should take the time to learn about the medical issues that can affect these lizards and how to prevent them. Here are 10 common diseases in leopard geckos.

The 10 Most Common Diseases in Leopard Geckos

1. Gout

Gout results from your gecko’s inability to process uric acid effectively.¹ Reptiles eliminate nitrogen from their system through uric acid. But if they can’t flush it from their body, it builds up in their bodies and surrounds other areas, like the joints and vital organs.

Diets too high in protein or the wrong kind of protein can cause gout. Other factors like dehydration, starvation, and predisposing kidney issues can also lead to gout.

2. Dysecdysis

All reptiles shed their skin, but sometimes they can’t shed their skin correctly. When this occurs, you typically notice accumulating skin layers around the eyes and limbs. This is called dysecdysis.²

There are a few reasons that your gecko may not be shedding their skin properly. It could be from a lack of humidity in the enclosure or an underlying health issue.

3. Vent Prolapse

A vent prolapse isn’t a disease but a condition. This is when organs slip out of your gecko’s vent. These include the cloaca, colon, oviduct (females), hemipenes/phallus (males), or the bladder.

There are several underlying causes for a prolapse. These include egg-laying issues, trauma, inflammatory diseases, infections, kidney diseases and UTIs, cancer, or other metabolic issues.

4. Dystocia

Dystocia, or egg binding, is when a female leopard gecko can’t pass an egg. This can be due to illness, poor diet, enlarged or oddly-shaped eggs, pelvic injuries, unsuitable nesting environments, and other reasons.

5. Ophthalmic Disease

Ophthalmic disease, or eye issues, is a common problem with leopard geckos. The biggest reason is vitamin A deficiency. A lack of a heat source can also lead to eye issues, mainly because cold geckos don’t eat as much and can become malnourished.

Interestingly, a study published in 2018 found that head dysecdysis is almost always paired with eye trouble in geckos.

6. Adenoviruses

Geckos are prone to several adenoviruses that may cause fatal digestive tract or liver diseases. Younger geckos are more susceptible to infection, but it can affect adults.

7. Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis is an infection of the digestive tract caused by various Cryptosporidium species. These are tiny single-celled parasitic organisms. Unfortunately, leopard geckos are the most commonly diagnosed lizards with this infection, and it’s not easy to treat. If you have other leopard geckos, you must quarantine your infected geckos to stop the spread.

The culprit parasite likes to invade the stomach and intestines, so you’ll often see a lack of appetite and an extended belly.

8. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

MBD stems from vitamin D3 and calcium deficiency, two vital nutrients for bone and egg creation. It’s life-threatening if not caught early, but it can be easily avoided with proper nutrition and lighting.

9. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis relates to an infection in the gut, specifically the stomach and intestines. This can be caused by numerous factors, like parasites and sand impaction. This can quickly become a life-threatening problem, so it’s wise to take your leopard gecko to an exotic vet if you notice any of the signs.

10. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a respiratory tract infection caused by bacteria in the lungs. Respiratory infections are common but serious. Usually, a cold enclosure with high humidity is the main reason that leopard geckos catch pneumonia. Other causes can be poor ventilation, unsanitary conditions, poor diet, and other underlying illnesses, like vitamin A deficiency.

Keeping Your Gecko Happy and Healthy

So, how can a gecko owner avoid the nightmare of dealing with a sick reptile?

Here’s the good news: Most of the diseases listed here can easily be prevented with a quality diet and environment. Let’s explore this further.

Diet Dominates Disease

With any creature, diet is of the utmost importance for health and vitality. Geckos can be tricky, though, because they only eat live insects and refuse dead insects or any plant matter. For this reason, it’s crucial to source your gecko’s food from a reputable pet store. When purchasing insects, ensure that you buy well-fed ones, as these will pass on vital nutrients and minerals to your gecko.

Variety is also key. Offer your pet an array of insects, such as crickets, worms, silkworms, waxworms, and roaches. Go a step further, and dust the crickets with calcium powder twice weekly to ensure strong, healthy bones and proper egg laying.

That said, there are dos and don’ts regarding what you can offer as food. Under no circumstances can leopard geckos eat bugs that glow, such as fireflies or lightning bugs. The chemical that makes these insects glow is toxic to leopard geckos. You also want to avoid wild bugs, since any applied pesticides can poison them.

Age Matters With Leopard Geckos

Feeding your gecko the right amount of food will help them receive nutrients and avoid disease. You don’t want to overfeed or underfeed your pet, and understanding their age can help.

Adult geckos can feed once every other day for about 15 to 20 minutes. During this time, they can eat to their heart’s content. Offer insects no larger than the space between the gecko’s eyes. Otherwise, the insect won’t be digest properly.

In contrast, young leopard geckos require daily feeding. Hatchlings can eat a bug about ⅜ inches long, and juvenile geckos can eat bugs about ¼ inch long.

Know the House Requirements

A proper habitat includes light, humidity, warmth, and good ventilation.

Light

Geckos are nocturnal, so avoid using bright lights at all costs. Instead, opt for black heat lamps and red lamps.

The lighting should mimic the natural light cycle your lizard would experience in the wild. Geckos need about 14 hours of light during the summer and 10 hours of “nighttime.” During the winter, change the lighting to 12 hours for the morning and 12 hours for the night.

Humidity & Warmth

Humidity is vital for a gecko’s well-being. Too much or too little humidity can cause skin issues and respiratory infections, so you want to ensure you have it just right. Likewise, a cold gecko will refuse food and could eventually become nutrient deficient.

Ideally, a humidity level between 30% and 40% is best, with a toasty enclosure between 77 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (25 and 32 degrees Celsius). Nighttime temperatures shouldn’t drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). The entire chamber doesn’t need to be kept at a consistent temperature. A little variety is good as long as it’s within the ideal temperature range. Experienced gecko owners will have a warm and cool side of the enclosure.

Geckos also need moist boxes to help with shedding. To create a damp environment, you can use a moist substrate like peat moss, damp soil, or sphagnum moss.

Ventilation

To achieve proper ventilation, add a mesh covering the entire lid, or do something more active and install an electronic ventilator. Either method is acceptable as long as the gecko has good air quality.

Substrate

The substrate is the bedding at the bottom of the tank, and it’s more important than you might think. Leopard geckos spend most of their time on the ground, meaning they will walk, run, and eat on the substrate provided to them. Females will even lay their eggs on the substrate.

The wrong substrate can affect your gecko’s life because your gecko might ingest it or your female could refuse to lay eggs on it.

Conclusion

Leopard geckos are indeed prone to certain diseases. Still, a solid diet and enclosure setup can prevent most of these ailments. Take the time and money to offer your leopard gecko the best food and living space, and your pet will thrive.

Featured Image Credit: torstensimon, pixabay