Gecko Diarrhea

When your gecko passes loose, unformed, or excessively watery feces, it is a clear sign of severe gastrointestinal distress. Diarrhea in a reptile is always a serious concern because it leads to rapid dehydration and critical nutrient loss, which can be fatal. Whether caused by parasites, infection, or improper diet, any instance of loose stool lasting more than 24 hours requires immediate veterinary attention.

Diarrhea in geckos is defined as loose, watery, or abnormally foul-smelling feces.
A gecko's small size means dehydration sets in extremely quickly, making it a medical emergency.
Diagnosis requires immediate fecal analysis to accurately identify the underlying pathogen.

Why Does My Gecko Get Loose Stool?

The passage of loose stool is caused by inflammation or disease in the intestines, which prevents the proper absorption of water and nutrients. The most frequent causes are internal parasites (like flagellates or amoebas) transmitted through the fecal-oral route or by live feeder insects. Other causes include severe bacterial infections from poor hygiene, feeding the wrong prey size (leading to impaction/irritation), improper temperature (which prevents proper digestion) and dietary issues like excessive fruit (in crested geckos) or food toxicity.

Types of Gecko Diarrhea

The cause of the loose stool dictates the severity and treatment required:

Parasitic Diarrhea

Pathogens: Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Pinworms, or Coccidia.

Impact: Often chronic and severe. Cryptosporidium is particularly dangerous, causing severe, foul-smelling diarrhea and rapid weight loss, and it is difficult to treat. Requires species-specific dewormers or antiprotozoal drugs.

Bacterial/Infectious Diarrhea

Pathogens: Salmonella, E. coli, or other opportunistic bacteria.

Impact: Can be acute or chronic, resulting from ingesting contaminated food or water, or due to severe stress. Causes systemic illness and requires specific antibiotic therapy based on cultures.

Dietary/Husbandry Diarrhea

Causes: Feeding high-sugar foods, sudden diet changes, feeding prey that is too large, or, most commonly, incorrect enclosure temperature. Reptiles cannot properly digest food if their thermal gradient is too low, leading to fermenting food and loose stool.

Impact: Usually mild but must be corrected quickly. Resolves when the diet and temperature are normalized.

Symptoms of Gecko Diarrhea

It is important to look for a combination of signs, especially those indicating life-threatening dehydration.

Loose, Watery Feces

The droppings are not solid and log-like, but are mushy, liquid, or have an abnormally high water content.

Lack of Urates

In a healthy dropping, the white or yellowish urate component should be visible. In severe cases of diarrhea, the urates may be absent or mixed indistinguishably with the liquid feces.

Sunken Eyes

A classic, urgent sign of severe dehydration in geckos. The eyes appear recessed or slightly wrinkled.

Foul Odor

The enclosure may have a strong, abnormal smell, often indicating severe bacterial overgrowth or parasitic infection.

Dirty Vent Area

The area around the cloaca (vent) is smeared with liquid feces (pasting), causing irritation and potential infection.

Sticky Shed

Difficulty shedding, or incomplete shed patches, also a sign of critical dehydration.

Prevention & Gecko Care

Temperature Maintenance

Install high-quality thermostats and thermometers to ensure the enclosure is always at the optimal Proper Optimal Temperature Zone (POTZ) for digestion.

Hydration Check

Continue to soak the gecko in shallow, warm water as instructed by your vet to support rehydration.

Feeder Management

Gut-load feeder insects properly and purchase them from reliable sources to reduce the risk of parasite transmission.

Quarantine

Always quarantine new geckos and perform veterinary fecal exams before introducing them to established pets.

Tail Tracking

Closely monitor the tail width. Regaining fat stores in the tail is a key indicator of successful recovery and nutrient absorption.

Gecko Diarrhea FAQ

Watery stool is usually normal urine that hasn't fully dried. Diarrhea is when the fecal mass itself is unformed, mushy, or liquid.

Very quickly. A small gecko with loose stool can become critically dehydrated in less than 24-48 hours.

No. Parasites require specific prescription drugs. Using the wrong product can delay life-saving treatment or make the pathogen resistant.

Yes. Salmonella and some parasites are zoonotic. Always use proper hygiene, especially after cleaning the enclosure.

Yes. Chronic diarrhea can indicate severe, long-term diseases like kidney failure, liver disease, or chronic Cryptosporidium infection.