Gecko health warning signs: MBD, tail loss, impaction and when to see a vet

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Reptiles hide illness well. By the time a gecko looks obviously unwell, the problem has often been building for weeks. Knowing the early signs, and having a vet lined up before you need one, makes a real difference. This guide describes what to look for; it is not a substitute for an examination, and medicines or supplements should only be given on a vet's advice.

Find a reptile vet before you need one

Not every practice treats reptiles. Ring local practices and ask whether a vet there sees geckos, or look for an exotics or reptile clinic. Book a check-up soon after you bring a new gecko home, so you have a baseline weight and a practice that knows your animal.

Metabolic bone disease

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a group of problems caused mostly by too little calcium, too little vitamin D3 or UVB, or an imbalance in the diet. The body takes calcium from the bones, which become soft and weak. Warning signs:

A soft, rubbery or misshapen jaw.
Bowed or kinked legs, or a swollen limb.
Trembling, twitching or weak grip.
Difficulty walking, lifting the body or catching insects.
A wavy or bent spine or tail.

MBD is largely preventable with gut-loaded insects, correct calcium and D3 dusting and appropriate heat and lighting. If you see any of these signs, see a vet promptly: diagnosis usually needs an examination and sometimes X-rays, and treatment should not be guessed at home.

Tail loss

Both leopard and crested geckos can drop their tails when grabbed, trapped or badly frightened.

Leopard geckos regrow the tail, though it usually looks shorter and smoother.
Crested geckos do not regrow it. A tailless crested gecko can live a normal life.

After a drop, keep the gecko on paper towel so the wound stays clean, reduce stress and handling, and watch for redness, swelling or discharge. Contact a vet if the stump looks infected or the gecko stops eating. Never grab a gecko by the tail.

Impaction

Impaction is a blockage in the gut. It can follow swallowing substrate, eating insects too large for the gecko, or being kept too cool to digest properly. Warning signs:

No droppings for longer than usual.
A swollen or bloated belly, sometimes with a dark patch visible through the skin.
Straining, lethargy and loss of appetite.
Dragging the back legs.

Impaction can be serious. Check that temperatures are right, then speak to a vet rather than trying remedies found online.

Loss of appetite

A gecko that skips meals is not always ill. Common harmless reasons include an upcoming shed, a recent move, cooler months, and breeding season, when males especially can lose interest in food. Females can also produce eggs even without a male. Be concerned when:

Refusal goes on for longer than usual, especially in a young gecko.
The gecko is losing weight. Weigh it regularly on kitchen scales and keep a log.
A leopard gecko's tail is getting thinner.
Refusal comes with other signs, such as lethargy, discharge, swelling or abnormal droppings.

Other signs worth a vet visit

Bubbles or mucus around the nose or mouth, or open-mouth breathing.
Swollen eyes or eyes kept closed.
Runny, bloody or very smelly droppings, or undigested food.
Lumps, sores, burns or unusual skin colour.
A gecko that is limp, cannot right itself or is suddenly very weak.
A female that looks swollen and restless with nowhere to lay.

What to bring to the vet

Recent weights and how they have changed.
Temperatures at both ends of the enclosure, humidity, and whether you use UVB and how old the bulb is.
The diet, supplements and how often you dust.
A fresh dropping if you can collect one.
Photos of the setup.

Most gecko illnesses trace back to husbandry, so this information is often the quickest route to a diagnosis. Have you dealt with a gecko health scare? Share what happened and what the vet found, or ask a question, in the comments.