Leopard Gecko Dying Signs: A Complete Guide

Leopard geckos make great pets, but like all animals, they can get sick. As an owner, it’s important to recognize the signs that your leopard gecko may be dying so you can get veterinary care if needed.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: the most common leopard gecko dying signs include lethargy, not eating, weight loss, respiratory issues, unusual behaviors, and physical abnormalities.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover the major signs that a leopard gecko is dying. Recognizing these symptoms early is key to getting your gecko the right treatment and giving them the best chance at recovery.

Lethargy and Not Eating

Lack of Appetite

A leopard gecko that suddenly loses its appetite and stops eating can be a major red flag signaling that something is wrong. An extended lack of appetite almost always leads to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies that can become life-threatening surprisingly quickly for these reptiles.

There are several potential causes of appetite loss to be aware of.

Illness or disease is one of the most common reasons leopard geckos stop eating. Parasitic infections, mouth rot, impaction, and respiratory infections can all severely suppress appetite. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan from an exotic vet if illness is suspected.

Another potential cause of poor appetite is inadequate temperatures in the terrarium. Leopard geckos are cold-blooded and rely on environmental heat to digest food and maintain appetite. If temperatures drop below 75°F at night or 90°Fduring the day, digestion will slow and appetite will vanish.

Stress can also lead to lost appetite. Major changes in environment, cagemates, handling routines and other factors can overwhelmed leopard geckos. Make changes gradually whenever possible and limit unnecessary stresses to support consistent eating.

In addition to the above factors, appetite may wane naturally as part of seasonal breeding cycles or brumation periods. Healthy leopard geckos often eat less while going in and out of these seasonal dormancy states. Monitor weight closely and seek vet care if loss exceeds 10% of body weight.

Lethargic Behavior

While leopard geckos spend much of their time relatively inactive as ambush predators, a pronounced shift to lethargic behavior can also signify underlying health issues.

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a common cause of lethargy in cases when captive geckos lack proper calcium or vitamin D3 intake. MBD causes weakness, tremoring limbs, and difficulty moving around the enclosure as it progresses.

Another potential cause of lethargy is internal parasites. A heavy parasite load diverts crucial nutrients away from the gecko and often causes immune suppression as well. Diagnostic fecal testing can check for parasites.

Additionally, lethargic behavior may occur due to inadequate heating. If a leopard gecko cannot behaviorally thermoregulate by accessing temperatures of 88-92° during the day, digestion and activity levels plummet. Provide ample heat with an under tank heating pad.

Lastly, severe illness, trauma or advancing age can all instigate periods of prolonged lethargy. Elderly leopard geckos often show a gradual decline in activity preceding end of life. Seek prompt veterinary attention if lethargy arises without explanation.

Weight Loss

Weight loss is one of the most common signs that a leopard gecko is unwell. There are several potential causes for weight loss in leopards geckos:

Reduced Appetite

If your leopard gecko stops eating normally, it will begin to lose weight. Possible reasons for appetite loss include:

• Stress: Changes to the habitat, handling, temperatures, etc. can cause stress that reduces appetite.
• Illness or disease: Health issues like parasitism, infections, and metabolic disorders can suppress appetite.
• Impaction: Compacted substrate in the digestive tract prevents proper nutrient absorption.
• Mouth rot: This bacterial infection makes eating painful.

Difficulty Eating

Even if your gecko wants to eat, it may have trouble doing so leading to weight loss. Some causes include:

• Mouth rot: The infection makes chewing difficult.
• Missing teeth: Broken or lost teeth make grasping food hard.
• Neurological issues: Problems with the nervous system can impair movement needed to hunt and eat.

Increased Metabolism

Certain health conditions can increase a leopard gecko’s metabolism, meaning it burns calories faster and loses weight more easily. These include:

• Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid gland accelerates metabolism.
• Gastrointestinal parasites: Worms sap nutrients and energy reserves.
• Cancer: Abnormal tissue growth diverts resources and increases calorie needs.

Dehydration

Severe dehydration causes significant weight loss as water is lost from the body. Causes of dehydration include:

• Low humidity in the terrarium.
• Not having a water dish available.
• Kidney disease leading to an inability to conserve water.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If your leopard gecko is losing weight, take it to an exotic veterinarian for an examination. The vet can run tests to determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include:

• Fluids and nutritional support.
• Medications for infection, parasites, etc.
• Habitat changes to reduce stress.
• Assist feeding if needed.
• Surgery for impactions or cancer.

With prompt veterinary care and proper home care, many leopard geckos can recover fully from weight loss. However, rapid or severe weight loss can be fatal if left untreated. Monitor your gecko’s weight carefully and contact your vet at the first sign of problems.

Respiratory Issues

Labored Breathing

Labored breathing, also known as dyspnea, is a common symptom of respiratory disease in leopard geckos. It is characterized by open-mouth breathing, gasping, wheezing, and the gecko flaring out its throat. Labored breathing indicates the gecko is having difficulty getting enough oxygen.

Some potential causes of labored breathing in leopard geckos include:

• Respiratory infections – Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections often lead to pneumonia and fluid buildup in the lungs. This makes breathing more difficult.
• Mouth rot – A serious bacterial infection of the mouth that can obstruct breathing.
• Respiratory obstruction – Foreign objects, mucus, or abscesses in the airway can partially block breathing.
• Metabolic bone disease – Calcium deficiency weakens bones, which can compress airways.
• Heart disease – Fluid around the lungs or heart failure leads to heavy breathing.

Labored breathing needs veterinary attention. X-rays and other tests are required to determine the underlying cause. Treatment may include antibiotics, antifungals, oxygen support, and correcting husbandry issues. If left untreated, respiratory distress can be fatal.

Discharge from Nose/Mouth

Nasal or oral discharge in leopard geckos is often a sign of respiratory disease. It occurs when infection and inflammation cause an excessive buildup of mucus in the airways. The thick fluid is then expelled through the nose or mouth.

Discharge can appear clear, yellow, green, or blood-tinged depending on the cause:

• Clear discharge – Allergies, irritation, or low humidity.
• Yellow/green discharge – Bacterial or fungal infection.
• Blood-tinged discharge – Severe infection, abscess, or trauma.

Causes of respiratory discharge include:

• Upper respiratory infections – Bacteria, viruses, or fungus infect the nasal passages.
• Pneumonia – Inflammation in the lungs produces excessive mucus.
• Mouth rot – Bacterial infection of the mouth leaks pus.
• Lung parasites – Worms and protozoa irritate lung tissue.
• Foreign objects – Stuck shed or substrate causes nasal discharge.

Veterinary care is needed to properly diagnose and treat discharge. Antibiotics, antifungals, and antiparasitics may be prescribed. The gecko’s environment should be thoroughly cleaned to remove sources of infection. Discharge often resolves with appropriate treatment and husbandry improvements.

Unusual Behaviors

Hiding

One of the most common signs that a leopard gecko may be dying is increased hiding or burrowing behavior. Healthy leopard geckos are active during the day and night, but a sick gecko will often spend more time hiding in its warm hide box or burrowing under its substrate.

This hiding behavior can be a sign that the gecko is feeling unwell and is trying to conserve energy.

There are a few possible reasons for increased hiding in a leopard gecko:

• Illness or disease – Geckos often hide when they are sick as a natural response to conserve energy for healing. Infections, parasites, respiratory infections or other health issues can cause lethargy and weakness.
• Pain or injury – Geckos that have been injured or are in pain will frequently go into hiding mode while they recover. Broken bones, mouth rot or other physical trauma can cause a gecko to hide more than usual.
• Environmental stress – Improper temperatures, light cycles, enclosure size or other environmental factors can stress geckos and cause them to hide. Checking the habitat and optimizing conditions may help.
• Old age – Elderly geckos tend to be less active and hide more as part of the natural aging process. Their energy levels decline with age.

If a leopard gecko spends several days hiding and ignoring food, it often means something is wrong. A vet visit is recommended to diagnose and treat any underlying health issues. With proper care, the gecko may return to normal activity levels.

Digging

Excessive digging or scratching at the tank walls is another potential sign of illness in leopard geckos. Healthy geckos will occasionally dig shallow pits in their substrate to support natural behaviors like egg-laying or regulating body temperature.

However, constant or aggressive digging can signal distress.

Some reasons leopard geckos may engage in abnormal digging include:

• Pain or irritation – Geckos dig at uncomfortable or irritated skin. This could indicate health issues like skin infections, mouth rot, external parasites or shedding complications.
• Laying infertile eggs (dystocia) – Female geckos trying to pass difficult eggs may dig relentlessly. This condition requires veterinary assistance.
• Impacted bowels – Constipation and blockages can cause discomfort and digging. Reptile laxatives may be needed.
• Enclosure issues – Small tanks, overly damp substrate or lack of proper heat gradient can cause digging. Optimizing the habitat may help.
• Stress – Change in environment, incorrect handling or other stressors could trigger obsessive digging. Minimizing stress is important.

If a leopard gecko is digging at the glass for hours on end, something is likely bothering it. Have a reptile vet examine it to determine if illness, dystocia or other issues are present. Adjust the habitat as needed to support natural digging behaviors.

Twitching

Muscle twitches and tremors are very concerning symptoms in leopard geckos. This involuntary movement can indicate major health problems that require emergency veterinary care.

Some potential causes of twitching and tremors include:

• Metabolic bone disease – Lack of proper calcium/vitamins causes tremors, seizures and twitching as bones weaken.
• Calcium deficiency – Low calcium also causes muscle spasms and tremors in geckos of all ages.
• Dehydration – Severe dehydration and fluid/electrolyte imbalances can lead to twitching and seizures.
• Overheating – High temperatures can cause heat-induced neurological tremors and twitching.
• Toxins – Ingesting chemicals, pesticides or toxic substrates/decorations may induce tremors.
• Brain injury – Head/brain trauma from falling or injury can cause temporary tremors.

If a leopard gecko displays tremors, take it to an exotics vet immediately. Left untreated, metabolic bone disease and other causes can be fatal. With prompt treatment like fluids, calcium and medication, the gecko often makes a full recovery.

Catching subtle signs like hiding, digging and twitching early allows sick geckos to get medical care before their condition worsens. Being observant of a leopard gecko’s behaviors each day makes it easier to notice unhealthy changes that could indicate illness or distress.

With attentive husbandry and veterinary care as needed, leopard geckos can thrive.

Physical Abnormalities

Shedding Issues

Shedding issues are common physical abnormalities seen in leopard geckos. Problems shedding can be caused by low humidity, lack of rough surfaces to rub against, poor diet, dehydration, or underlying health issues. Symptoms include unshed skin accumulating on the toes, tail, eyelids, and head.

This dead skin can constrict blood flow and cause tissue damage if not removed.

To help with stuck sheds, raise the humidity to 60-65%, provide a moist hide box, and gently soak the gecko in shallow warm water. Using a q-tip, gently roll back stuck skin after soaking. Avoid pulling hard or damaging new skin underneath.

If shedding issues persist, review husbandry and nutrition, and consult a reptile veterinarian to rule out other health problems.

Swollen Body Parts

Swollen eyes, limbs, or tail base can indicate retained shed, infection, metabolic bone disease, trauma, or gout. Swollen eyelids are especially serious as they can lead to blindness if untreated. Swellings are often asymmetric, affecting one side more than the other.

Causes should be diagnosed and treated appropriately. Remove stuck shed, administer antibiotics for infection, supplement calcium and vitamins for MBD, splint injured limbs, and adjust diet or hydration for gout.

Severe or worsening swellings warrant veterinary assessment to prevent lasting damage or disability.

Injuries/Wounds

Leopard geckos can suffer various external injuries like bites, scrapes, burns, tail loss, and bone fractures. These may result from cage mates, predators, falls, improper heat sources, or being dropped. Wounds require prompt first aid to prevent infection, scar formation, and chronic issues.

Clean wounds gently with antibacterial solution. Apply antibiotic ointment and change dressings daily. House geckos separately until healed. For suspected fractures, restrict activity and consult an exotics veterinarian. Nutritional support aids healing.

Loss of the fat storage tail can permanently affect a gecko’s health and body condition long-term.

Conclusion

Knowing the most common signs of a dying leopard gecko is critical for any owner. Lethargy, appetite loss, weight loss, respiratory issues, odd behaviors, and physical problems can all be indicators your gecko needs medical care.

If you notice any of these symptoms, take your gecko to an exotic vet right away for an evaluation and treatment. With quick action, many geckos can recover and live a long healthy life.