Seasoned owners of leopard geckos will agree that it can be heartbreaking to see your leopard gecko sickly and dying. For those who have developed a deep love for their gecko, the pain never ends until some closure is found. Are they sick? Is he about to die?
A dying leopard gecko is likely to have sunken eyes, lethargy, appetite loss, and extreme weight loss. The most fatal of these signs is the lack of appetite, which indicates that the leopard gecko is extremely ill or waiting for its death.
This article is written for the observant pet owner who wants to know several tell-tale signs that a reptile is in imminent danger. We also highlight the reasons for the sudden death of a leopard gecko. Let’s get started, shall we?
Signs That Your Leopard Gecko Is Dying
Although this is a dull topic for the leopard gecko lover, it’s an important topic that can help you save your pet from eventual death. When detected early, these signs can help you take a few steps, like contacting the vet to try and save the situation.
· Rapid Weight Loss
If your leopard gecko has suddenly dropped weight within a short time, this could indicate an underlying ailment. Possible causes include inadequate diet, unfavorable living conditions, illnesses, and parasites.
Leopard geckos store fat reserves in their tails and will rely on these if they cannot get food. The first sign of weight loss is typically a thinner tail. Female leopard geckos should weigh between 50 and 75 grams, while males usually weigh between 60 and 100 grams.
If your leopard gecko has suddenly lost weight and is now below these averages, take it to the veterinarian right away for further evaluation and treatment. If the problem is not identified or the pet is diagnosed with a fatal illness like kidney disease, further weight loss will reduce the chance of survival.
· Loss of Appetite
A loss of appetite is one of the first signs that something is wrong with your leopard gecko. This can be caused by diseases, parasites, and impaction.
But it can also be brought on by outside factors like a poor diet, changes in temperature, or harassment from other geckos. If your leopard gecko flatly refuses to eat, it’s a sign that something is wrong.
They may be unable to eat anymore, or eating may be so painful or uncomfortable for them that they would rather go without food.
If they do not eat for a few days, they will start to lose weight. Note that if the leopard gecko’s tail is very fat, it may sometimes stop eating to consume the excess energy. If this is the reason for the lack of appetite, the pet may display normal behavior for more than a week.
· Abnormal or No Droppings
When examining your leopard gecko’s droppings, pay close attention to the frequency and consistency of their feces. If you notice a decrease in the frequency they defecate or if their droppings seem abnormally dry or hard, this may be a sign of impaction.
Impaction can happen when your leopard gecko ingests something it shouldn’t have, and it can affect its digestive system and other internal organs. Occasionally, they can also develop impaction after eating a huge insect that won’t pass through.
If you think your leopard gecko may be impacted, it’s important to take them to the vet as soon as possible for treatment. However, often impactions go undetected until it’s too late to do anything. So, keep a close eye on your pet’s bathroom habits.
· Sunken Eyes
If your leopard gecko’s eyes appear sunken, it is likely a sign of dehydration. Dehydration is often the root of an underlying health problem in leopard geckos, which can lead to decreased appetite and further illness.
In addition to sunken eyes, other dehydration indicators include seeing sticky mucus in the mouth and retained non-shedding skin.
To help lower the risk of dehydration, always keep plenty of fresh, clean water in the tank and check that the humidity levels in their environment are just right. Too much humidity can lead to respiratory infections and other skin conditions.
· Lethargy
When leopard geckos are lethargic, it is a sign that they are not feeling well. If your Leo is usually active and suddenly becomes sluggish, it is a good idea to take them to the vet. Sick leopard geckos may also be found hiding in their hides or under other tank components.
These creatures might be unable to stand still or move from their tummies onto their legs. A quick visit to the vet is required as it could prevent the unthinkable.
Why Did My Leopard Gecko Die Suddenly?
If you suddenly lost your leopard gecko but did not see any signs of illness, you might wonder happened. The list below will highlight a variety of reasons why it may have happened.
This may help you know the potential causes and perhaps gain a better understanding when making a diagnosis. Common reasons for the leopard gecko’s sudden death include the following:
· High Temperature
One of the major causes of sudden death in leopard geckos is too much temperature resulting from accidentally raising it. Once the temperature becomes super high, the gecko tries escaping by digging through the substrate to get to the cooler ground.
The best you can do to avoid this is to invest in a good thermostat for accurate regulation and monitoring.
It’s worth saying that this is a common problem for beginners who lack proper equipment knowledge and tank heating. That said, your leopard gecko’s life lies in your hands, and it’s your duty to seek accurate information.
· Impaction
As mentioned earlier, impaction is one of the potential causes of death in leopard geckos. This happens when the reptile swallows something it can’t digest, leading to digestive troubles, and other internal disorders.
Symptoms of impaction include not pooping, not eating, or behaving restlessly. However, some leopard geckos can hide these symptoms effectively.
Impaction is a serious problem that can often be fatal if not treated promptly. If you suspect that your leopard gecko may be impacted, immediately seek medical attention from a qualified reptile veterinarian.
Fortunately, impaction is occasionally curable if caught early enough. Sadly, it happens frequently that it isn’t discovered until it’s too late.
This is often because people are unaware of the dangers of using sand as a substrate for their leopard gecko enclosure.
Sand is commonly used as a substrate for leopard gecko enclosures because it is thought to be natural and easy to find.
However, it can be very dangerous for leopard geckos if ingested. When swallowed, sand can cause blockages in the digestive system and lead to severe health problems or even death.
For this reason, avoiding using sand as a substrate for your leopard gecko’s enclosure is important. Many safe and effective alternatives available will not pose a risk of impaction if ingested.
· Bad Pairing
Many people are unaware of how territorial leopard geckos are. It is feasible to house females and males together, but it is impossible to house two males at the same time.
They will fight to the death to defend their turf, much like other animals do, like, say, dogs and gerbils.
It is not surprising that leopard geckos engage in this behavior because it is typical of many other male animal species.
If you place two healthy male geckos together and discover only one dead the next morning, it likely lost the territorial conflict.
Never purchase two male leopard geckos when purchasing multiple leopard geckos unless you intend to house them separately.
Due to the need to purchase equipment for two different geckos, doing this can be quite expensive, but it’s the only option if you want to prevent any conflicts.
· Parasitic Infection, e.g., Crypto
If your leopard gecko just had Crypto, you’ll know due to its obvious symptoms. Crypto is a disease caused by a parasite that invades the gastrointestinal tract and can cause severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
In leopard geckos, Crypto is most commonly caused by contaminated food or water or contact with other infected animals. Symptoms of this parasitic Infection include weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, and vomiting.
If your leopard gecko has any of these symptoms, it is important to take them to the vet immediately.
It’s worth noting that the owner does not cause the condition. Most of the time, it comes down to misinformation and no knowledge about their diet and care.
Still, geckos housed with others have a higher chance of catching this Infection from other mates. When you suspect your gecko has this condition, you should house it separately and clean everything you think they may have contacted.
The infection can spread long after the gecko has died so it’s important to deep clean the tank and replace some gear. Unfortunately, your leopard gecko will likely die when they contract the deadly Crypto. However, treatments are available to help slow the spread and prolong life.
· Moss Ingestion
Moss ingestion is a common cause of sudden death in leopard geckos. If your gecko has access to a moist hide, it will likely eat some of the moss. This can be problematic because moss can cause impaction if swallowed in large amounts.
When your gecko sheds in its hide, part of the moss will typically get trapped in its shed. If the moss is within reach, your gecko will likely eat it.
Even though eating moss can be harmful to leopard geckos, they will try to eat it as they ingest almost everything.
Although eating moss might not cause abrupt death, if they’ve been doing it covertly for some time, it might as well appear that way. It’s important to use less difficult substrates in order to avoid this in the future.
This can include a variety of considerably safer options, such as a damp kitchen towel or damp substrate that won’t hurt them if swallowed.
It is assumed that leopard geckos eat moss because it is rich in nutrients and also because their diet does not adequately provide them with the nutrients they need. Talk to your vet if you think your leopard may have ingested moss and is acting strange.
· Bad Food
Death from eating toxic food can present itself shortly after ingesting the food. Depending on where you source your leopard gecko food, some sources may carry a portion that has not been properly screened.
Some foods, such as Crypto, may contain deadly parasites that won’t be easily treated while others can’t be treated.
Suppose your gecko happens to eat food containing a deadly parasite. In that case, you should seek help from a vet to see the possibility of finding the right treatment to help the leopard gecko recover.
That said it’s best to source your food from a trusted local pet store, highly trusted brands and websites online.
Also, be mindful about what you feed your reptile gecko. Crickets and mealworms are great choices and can be trusted. Besides, they are readily available at local pet shops.
As a precaution, if you suspect your leo has had bad food, you may separate it from the rest or house them separately until you are sure. Then, clean any fecal matter from the tank and sanitize the whole tank.
· Dehydration
Dehydration is a common cause of death in leopard geckos. Symptoms of dehydration include skin that becomes less elastic, looks aged and wrinkled, loss of saliva, muscle wasting, flaky and dry skin, starvation, and lethargy.
These symptoms may not be immediately noticeable to someone who isn’t specifically looking for them because they often develop gradually over the period of a few days at most.
Leopard geckos require water frequently to survive, the same as humans. Hydration is just as crucial as eating, despite the importance of food.
Dehydration happens gradually over a few days, but if it gets too bad, it might quickly result in death. Ensuring they constantly have water in their bowl is the simple solution.
Additionally, you can put a damp hide on the warm side of your tank to generate condensation, which acts as a different water source for your leopard gecko.
How To Prevent Illness in Leopard Geckos
While illnesses are sometimes inevitable, there are various ways by which you can prevent your leopard gecko from becoming ill.
Geckos are generally have long lives and can remain healthy most of the time with proper husbandry. A few ways to prevent illnesses in leopard geckos include:
- Keep the cage clean and droppings-free
- Ensure to provide an appropriate diet with nutritious food choices
- Wash your hands before and after handling your geckos
- Make sure you set and monitor tank parameters such as temperature and humidity
- Source their food from trusted sources and not from the wild
- Remove any small things that can cause impaction
Can You Treat a Sick Leopard Gecko Yourself?
As a gecko owner, it’s important to know what you can and cannot do when it comes to medical treatment. Many small ailments can be easily treated at home, but some require professional help.
Dehydration is one such issue that is easy to fix: make sure your leopard gecko has access to plenty of fresh water, and the humidity in their cage is acceptable.
A warm bath and gentle belly massage may help unclog the blockage if you discover impaction early on. However, if this does not work within a few hours, it is advisable to take them to the vet.
My Leopard Gecko Won’t Eat. What Do I Do?
Your gecko may sometimes lose its appetite. Fortunately, there are ways to address any underlying issues before making a quick trip to the vet.
First, check and monitor the temperature in their cage and ensure it’s between 85 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, check if there are any other stressors such as a bullying mate.
Female leopard geckos may also lose appetite if they can’t find a suitable area to lay eggs. Also, try providing the favorite live foods like crickets and mealworms and do it in the evening when their hunting routine is active.
Conclusion
If you’re worried that your leopard gecko may be dying, there are a few key symptoms to look out for. First, check their temperature and see if they are within the normal range for a leopard gecko. If their temperature is too low or too high, it could be a sign that something is wrong.
Secondly, look at their enclosure and ensure it is clean and free of any potential hazards. Third, observe their eating habits and ensure they get enough water and food.
Lastly, pay attention to their behavior and call your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual.