Gecko Disease

Geckos are naturally resilient, but when an underlying issue develops, they instinctively hide it, often until the illness is severe. A change in appetite, behavior, or stool is a critical warning sign that your pet may be suffering from a serious medical condition. Because reptiles require specialized knowledge for proper diagnosis, any deviation from your gecko’s normal behavior demands immediate assessment by an exotic veterinarian.

Any major change in behavior or appearance can signal a potentially fatal health problem.
The vast majority of illnesses are caused by preventable issues like improper temperature, poor diet, or sanitation.
Common medical issues include Metabolic Bone Disorder (MBD), internal parasites and respiratory infections.

Why Does My Gecko Develop Health Issues?

Most gecko diseases stem from a failure in husbandry, meaning the environment or diet is incorrect, leading to a compromised immune system. Improper temperature is the leading cause, as geckos cannot properly digest food or fight infection without a correct thermal gradient. Other major causes include nutritional deficiencies, poor hygiene (leading to pathogen exposure), and stress from overcrowding or constant handling. Over time, these factors allow bacteria, parasites, or metabolic issues to thrive.

Types of Common Gecko Illnesses

Reptile medical issues often fall into broad categories based on the system they affect:

Metabolic Diseases

Target: Skeletal and Organ Systems.

Impact: Primarily Metabolic Bone Disorder (MBD), caused by a calcium-to-phosphorus imbalance or lack of Vitamin D
3. This leads to soft, rubbery jawbones, bowed legs, tremors, and eventually, fractures or organ failure.

Gastrointestinal Diseases

Target: Digestive Tract.

Impact: Includes diarrhea (often from parasites like Cryptosporidium), impaction (blockage from ingesting substrate) and anorexia (refusal to eat). These problems lead to rapid dehydration and weight loss.

Infectious Diseases

Target: Respiratory and Systemic.

Impact: Respiratory infections (pneumonia) are caused by incorrect low temperatures and present as labored breathing or nasal discharge. Bacterial or parasitic conditions can cause generalized lethargy and organ damage.

Dermatological and Ocular Diseases

Target: Skin and Eyes.

Impact: Dysecdysis (retained shed, often on toes and eyes) is common with low humidity and can lead to constricted blood flow (losing toes) or eye infection. Abscesses are pus-filled pockets caused by skin trauma or poor sanitation.

Symptoms of Gecko Illness

Any of these subtle signs should prompt an immediate call to your veterinarian:

Anorexia (Refusal to Eat)

Consistently ignoring food for several days, indicating underlying pain or systemic illness.

Tremors or Shaking

Involuntary muscle twitching, especially when handled, a classic sign of severe calcium deficiency (MBD).

Stuck Shed

Patches of old, dry skin, especially around the eyes or toes, leading to swelling.

Lethargy and Hiding

Spending excessive time in the hide, refusing to bask, or moving very slowly.

Breathing Difficulty

Open-mouth breathing, wheezing, or bubbles around the nostrils.

Visible Swelling

A lump (abscess or tumor) on the body, or swollen, inflamed joints.

Prevention & Gecko Care

Thermal Guarantee

Use a thermostat and multiple thermometers to ensure the entire thermal gradient is correct, allowing the gecko to properly digest and regulate its immune system.

Hydration Check

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

Balanced Nutrition

Dust feeder insects with a high-quality calcium supplement (with D3) at every feeding and a multivitamin once a week.

Quarantine Protocol

Always quarantine and vet-check new geckos before introducing them to an existing enclosure to prevent pathogen spread.

Medication Adherence

Finish the full course of all prescribed medications (especially antibiotics) to prevent recurrence or resistance.

Gecko Disease FAQ

Often, it's a change in appetite or activity level. A gecko that suddenly stops eating for two days is a concern.

Some are. Parasitic diseases are highly contagious between geckos. Always quarantine a sick gecko immediately.

It's an evolutionary survival mechanism. In the wild, showing weakness makes them easy prey.

An annual wellness exam, including a fecal check, is recommended, especially for older or breeding geckos.

Yes. A refusal to eat can also be caused by a lack of proper heat (leading to digestive shutdown) or severe systemic conditions like gout.