Some Health Issues Your Leopard Gecko May Suffer From!

Out of all reptiles kept as pets, the Leopard Gecko is one of the easiest to care for, but you need to be aware of the illnesses they are prone to, so you can care for them properly!

Leopard Geckos can live up to 20 years, so understand this is a long-time commitment! The first issue is Parasites, which there are 2 types; internal and external. Some of the common signs of internal parasites are; loss of appetite, weight loss and vomiting. You will need to get your gecko treated by your vet, to fix this problem!

The external parasites are also called Leopard Gecko Mites and they are itsy-bitsy and very hard to see. They will affect your Gecko`s immune system because they feed on his blood. This will cause him to become lethargic and he may lose his appetite. If you think he has these parasites, you must act fast!

Wash him thoroughly and put him in another tank. Clean his home by soaking the tank in a bleach solution for up to 24 hours. Rinse it thoroughly and leave it in the air/sun to dry. Replace the substrate and throw away all live plants! If you use artificial rocks and plants, you will need to sterilize them as well, before adding back to his tank.

Next is a Respiratory Infection and this usually occurs when you have an excessively high humidity level in your Gecko`s tank. When your Leo is too cold, his immunity is weakened, thus making him more susceptible to develop a respiratory infection. Most times, the symptoms are NOT obvious.  as per  http://michaelcorben.com

Your Gecko could show signs of distress or he could be panting alot. To solve this problem, you will need to check and raise the temperature in your Gecko`s tank.

Next is a Mouth Infection and this is associated with an unsanitary tank and poor hygiene. Signs of this are; bleeding gums, swollen mouth and loss of appetite. This is very painful for your Gecko, so keep his tank clean and the proper temperature! Be aware that mouth infections can also occur when keeping Leopard Geckos together, because they will often fight!

Lastly is Impaction and the most common cause is the ingestion of loose substrate, like gravel or sand, so stay away from these substrate materials! Constipation is a secondary issue that is associated with impaction. For more info, you can visit: www.mygeckosecrets.com

Image source  en.wikipedia.org  used with permission

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