Although geckos are, generally, quite hardy, there are some health problems that occur more frequently than others; this section is designed to provide a very brief overview of some of the more common problems that they can face. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive guide to diagnosis and treatment; that can only be provided by a qualified herp vet. Unfortunately, good herp vets can be difficult to find in the UK, as most vets have little or no training in reptile health. It is therefore advisable to locate a suitable vet before purchasing a gecko and registering with the practice before any problems are faced. The website of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has a searchable index of vets in the UK; specialist reptile forums, such as Reptile Forums UK also often carry list of recommended vets.
Calcium metabolism problems
Significant health issues among geckos result from problems involving the metabolism of calcium; these issues, which are actually the result of a variety of different causes (including osteoporosis, osteomalacia, rickets, secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism and fibrous osteodystrophy) are often collectively referred to by the umbrella term of metabolic bone disease (MBD). MBD causes degeneration of bones, as well as problems with other physiological processes.
In the simplest terms, MBD results from a deficiency in calcium (or hypocalcaemia); when blood calcium levels fall below that required for physiological processes such as muscle function, the body will compensate by drawing it from bones causing them to soften and become prone to breaking. However, the actual processes are far more complex, as the absorption of calcium is intimately interrelated with both the uptake of phosphorus (which can bind to calcium to form calcium phosphate and thereby prevent the body utilising the calcium) and the synthesis of vitamin D3 (which is required to metabolise calcium). The causes of MBD, which are frequently related to poor diet, include: a deficiency in calcium or excess of phosphorus in the diet (ideally, these elements should be present in a ratio of 2:1); a deficiency in vitamin D3 (from either vitamin supplements added to the diet or exposure to UVB, which allows the body to synthesise this vitamin); more rarely, physiological problems such as intestinal, liver or kidney disease, can also prevent or reduce the metabolism of calcium.
Symptoms of hypocalcaemia can include: bent or swollen limbs; bone fractures; deformation of the spine; kinking of the tail (especially apparent in Rhacodactylus sp geckos); foreshortening of the jaw, often accompanied by swelling and softening, which, in turn, can lead to problems eating and hence weight loss; muscle spasms. If a problem with MBD is suspected, it is essential to seek veterinary advice so that a full diagnosis can be made, as each of the conditions that are grouped together as MBD require different treatments.
It is essential that the extent of any problem with suspected MBD is assessed and treatment prescribed accordingly. Although it may be tempting to simply increase the amount of calcium and D3 available, this approach should be treated with caution, as it also possible to over-supplement the diet. This can result hypercalcaemia, a condition where the calcium levels in the blood become too high. As a result, soft tissues can become mineralised, with the kidneys being particularly susceptible to damage.
Further information on MBD is available from Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection.
Caudal autotomy (tail loss)
As outlined in the section on gecko behaviour, geckos are able to drop their tails if threatened by a predator, startled or during fights with other geckos, a process called caudal autotomy. Muscular contractions cause the vertabrae of the tail to fracture along special planes and the tail is cast off. Generally, this causes few problems for the gecko although, if it is house communally with other geckos, it should be removed and housed separately until the wound has healed. Indeed, if the tail has been dropped as a result of fighting, it is best to make the separation permanent. Species such as leopard geckos use their tails to store fat: an animal that has just dropped its tail should therefore be provided with ample, well gut-loaded food in order for these reserves to be replenished as rapidly as possible. This is especially important in the case of gravid females, as the loss of fat reserves at such a crucial time will not only impact upon the health of the female, who will direct energy towards egg production rather than tail regeneration and thereby leave her own fat reserves depleted, but also upon the eggs produced, which will generally be of lower mass than those produced by females with intact tails (Dial & Fitzpatrick, 1981).
In some species (for example leopard geckos and Chinese cave geckos), regeneration of the tail takes place relatively rapidly. However, the appearance of the regenerated tail is different from that of the original; the new tail lacks a segmented structure and frequently appears more bulbous. As Meyer et all (2002) noted, regenerated tails are supported by a cartilaginous tube rather than by vertebrae, as well as exhibiting other neurological and muscular differences. Other species, such as crested geckos, will not regenerate a tail if the original is dropped.
References
Dial, B.E. & Fitzpatrick, L.C., 1981. The energetic costs of tail autotomy to reproduction in the lizard Coleonyx brevis (Sauria: Gekkonidae). Oecologia, 51 (3) pp. 310 - 317.
Meyer, V., Preest, M.R. & Lochetto, S.M., 2002. Physiology of original and regenerated lizard tails. Herpetologica, 58 (1) pp. 75 - 86.
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis - commonly referred to simply as crypto - is a highly contagious infection caused by coccidian parasites Cryptosporidium. These parasites cause inflammation of the mucosal lining of the small intestines, causing rapid loss of weight especially from the tail, which can often become pencil thin. Additionally, other symptoms that can be observed include: loss of appetite; regurgitation of both food and undigested shed; diarrhoea; lethargy; enlargement of the liver. Unfortunately, there is currently no effective treatment for crypto in geckos and animals that are infected and showing symptoms will therefore die of the disease. Due to the severity of the symptoms suffered by an infected gecko and the distress that these symptoms obviously cause the animal, its quality of life is negligible. It is therefore often recommended that the gecko should be euthanised to prevent further suffering.
One of the problems with crypto is that an animal, though acting as a carrier of the Cryptosporidium parasites, can itself appear asymptomatic for many months, even years; one animal can therefore infect others before the keeper is aware of the problem. This is why it is crucial that all newly acquired geckos should undergo both quarantine and full faecal tests before being introduced to existing animals. Similarly, any geckos that start to display symptoms should be placed in quarantine immediately. Crypto can be diagnosed by the presents of oocysts (the spores that acts to transfer the parasite to a new host) in the faeces of an infected animal. However, the oocysts cannot be detected by a standard float test, so it is therefore essential that full faecal tests are conducted during the quarantine period. As oocysts are shed intermittently, a series of repeat tests are required; a single negative test is no guarantee that an animal is clear of infection, as it may simply not be shedding oocysts at the time the sample was taken.
Crypto can be easily transmitted between animals through contaminated faecal matter coming into contact with drinking water or substrate and other surfaces that can then be licked by another animal. Cleaning vivs or decor with bleach, disinfectant or boiling water is insufficient to destroy the oocysts. This can only be done through the application of 5% ammonia or 10% formaline. However, given the ease of transmission of between animals, it may prove better to destroy any enclosures and equipment that have been used for a gecko that has been confirmed as being infected.
Further information on crypto can be found on the Golden Gate Geckos website.
Entamoeba invadens
Entamoeba invadens is a protozoan parasite that can be carried by a range of reptiles, but can have a particularly serious affect on the health of crested geckos, often resulting in their death if left untreated. It affects the gastrointestinal tract, where it can cause thickening, obstructions, ulceration or perforations. It can also enter the liver, where it can cause necrosis. Symptoms of infected animals typically start with a loss of appetite and lethargy, then progress to include: rapid weight loss; dehydration; a swollen vent. As with crypto, Entamoeba invadens is transmitted through contact with contaminated faecal matter.
If the problem is diagnosed early enough, then the infection can be easily treated with Flagyl (Metronidazole), though the prognosis for an infected animal becomes worse in the more advanced stages of infection; seeking prompt veterinary advice as soon as a problem is suspected is therefore essential. In addition to treating with Flagyl, scrupulous hygiene is required o prevent re-infection; enclosures and decor should be cleaned with bleach to destroy cysts. Where geckos are housed communally, or if cross-contamination has been a possibility (for example, where food bowls or decor have been moved between enclosures) all animals should be treated as a precaution. Again, transmission between animals can be prevented by using strict quarantine for all newly acquired animals.
The Ciliatus.com. crested gecko resource pages contain more information on Entamoeba invadens. However, be warned that this page also includes graphic images of a necropsy (post mortem) being performed on a crested gecko.
Floppy tail syndrome (FTS)
Floppy tail syndrome (FTS) is a condition that affects crested geckos and, very rarely, gargoyle geckos. It is characterised by the tail drooping either to the side or over the back of a gecko when it rests with its head pointing downward; the animal's pelvis may also appear to be twisted. It has been suggested that it occurs when the adhesive lamellae at the tip of the tail cannot support the weight of the tail when the gecko repeatedly rests in a head-down position on the walls of its enclosure, causing the tail to flop down. It is hypothesised that, over time, this will lead to distortion of the bones forming the pelvic girdle, with this deformation being exacerbated if the gecko is suffering from a slight calcium deficiency. FTS is cannot be reversed once it has occurred. However, preventative measures include providing abundant foliage, branches, cork bark etc so that geckos have ample resting places and so can avoid resting in a head down position for prolonged periods and ensuring that their diet is provided with the correct supplements.
Impaction
Impaction occurs when the digestive tract of the animal is blocked by material that cannot be either digested or passed through as faeces. The most common causes are that the animal has ingested substrate or other loose material either accidentally (for example, while hunting) or deliberately (as can occur when its diet is poorly supplemented) or where it is offered feeder insects that are too large for it to cope with. Symptoms can include loss of appetite and weight loss; in cases where a substrate such as sand has been ingested, that material may be apparent in any faeces that are passed. In all cases, veterinary advice should be sought immediately, both to ascertain the extent of the problem and also to identify if any underlying factors (for example dietary deficiencies or a parasite infestation) contributed to it.
Obesity and related problems
Obesity is probably one of the most common factors that can adversely affect a gecko's health; some species, such as leopard geckos, seem particularly prone to excessive weight gain. While a somewhat stocky appearance is quite normal, the body and limbs should look in proportion, without rolls of fat being apparent (these can form behind the front legs and under the belly). As a rough rule of thumb, a leopard gecko's tail, while being chunky, should be no thicker than its neck. If an animal does appear to be carrying excess weight, then moving it onto a diet that causes it to be more active when hunting can help (therefore offering crickets and locusts instead of mealworms) and not offering feeders that are especially rich in fat (such as waxworms and pinkies) can help.
Failure to address the issue of obesity can result in severe health problems, such as hepatic lipidosis and xanthomatosis.
Hepatic lipidosis (also known as fatty liver disease) is characterised by the inability of the liver to metabolise lipids (fats) effectively. It is frequently associated with animals that have suffered a period of anorexia (often as a result of other health problems, for example after suffering a parasite infection); when the animal does begin to eat again, the liver fails to metabolise fats efficiently. The problem can often be exacerbated by the fact that, if an animal stops eating and begins to lose weight, keepers often offer fat-rich 'treats' such as waxworms or pinkies to tempt it to eat again and compensate for any weight loss. Instead, offering a low-fat slurry made from ground crickets / locusts etc to geckos that are refusing to eat is advisable.
Xanthomatosis, which can also be linked to a fat-rich diet, is characterised by fatty deposits occurring in various parts of the body; this can be indicative of underlying health problems, including diabetes.
Parasites
Parasitic infections are another health problem commonly found among geckos; these can be caused by endoparasites (i.e. internal parasites such as roundworm, pinworm, hookworm etc) or ectoparasites (i.e. external parasites, such as mites).
Although many animals are carriers of low levels of endoparasites with few apparent problems, if the animal's immune system is depressed for any reason (for example, because of the stress caused by moving to a new home or other health issues) the parasites can multiply rapidly, resulting in severe health implications. This may include: anorexia; diarrhoea; severe weight loss; and, in severe cases, prolapse. As a preventative measure it is therefore advisable to get faecal tests carried out on any newly acquired geckos; this should be done during the quarantine period, to ensure that cross-contamination with existing geckos cannot occur. I also get all of my geckos tested periodically, as it is possible for animals to acquire an infection through eating feeder insects that have previously ingested parasites eggs from contaminated faeces.
If a faecal test produces a positive result, then treatments are available from vets. In conjunction with using the prescribed medication, it is also essential to ensure that all enclosures and decor etc are cleaned thoroughly using a dilute bleach solution; this is to prevent re-infection, which can occur if a gecko comes into contact with contaminated faecal matter. Other preventative measures include removing any faeces from the enclosure as rapidly as possible and not leaving uneaten livefood in the vivaria for prolonged periods.
Mites, which form a subclass within the class Arachnida, are small bloodsucking creatures that generally represent a more common problem on wild caught geckos than those that are captive bred. However, the fact that they thrive in warm, humid conditions means that they can develop into a problem in any herp enclosure. In appearance, they look like small reddish dots and are frequently observed to congregate around the eyes, in the axillary pockets (armpits), around the vent or in any other area of the gecko's body that offers protection. Although a few mites may represent a relatively minor irritation, it is best to treat an infestation as soon as it is observed as they can multiply rapidly. Severe infestations can cause geckos to suffer from anaemia, dehydration and damage to the gecko's skin; they can also be carriers for other diseases, which can be transmitted to a gecko through a bite.
Mites can be treated with proprietary sprays available from vets. However, in addition to treating the affected animal itself, it is also essential that enclosures are also cleaned thoroughly with a weak bleach solution. Temporary decor that can easily be disposed of should be used until the infestation is cleared to prevent the risk of reintroducing the problem.
Further information on reptilian parasites can be found in: Klingenberg, R,. 2007. Understanding Reptile Parasites, 2nd edition. Irvine, Advanced Vivarium Systems.
Prolapse
A prolapse is essentially when internal tissue from the cloaca is forced out through the animal's vent so that it lies outside the body. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including: impaction; a parasitic infection; or egg binding. Alternatively, it can occur when a male gecko is unable to retract a hemipenes, which is most likely to happen after mating.
A prolapse is a serious medical condition and requires immediate treatment. In the first instance, a shallow depth (1cm - 2cm) of a saturated sugar and water solution should be poured in a small, clean enclosure such as a cricket tub or small faunarium. The gecko should be placed in the tub and allowed to stand in the solution for 15 minutes or so; the solution may reduce the swelling in the extruded tissue sufficiently for it to retract of its own accord. However, if this does not happen then veterinary advice should be sought immediately; unless treated promptly, complications such as infections or necrosis can occur. While seeking an appointment at the vet's, it is essential to continue to keep the prolapsed tissue moist. This can be done by keeping the gecko in a small container with damp kitchen towel in the bottom; alternatively, a small amount of vaseline can be smeared on the affected area. Under no circumstances should attempts be made to push the prolapsed tissue back in to the vent, as it can easily become damaged causing further problems.
Respiratory infections
Respiratory infections often occur when incorrect husbandry (for example, housing a gecko at temperatures that are too low or where humidity levels are too high) places stress on the animal, causing its immune system to be weakened. This leaves the animal susceptible to opportunistic bacterial infections of the respiratory system. Symptoms can include laboured breathing, sometimes accompanied by gaping; wheezing or rasping noises; discharge from the mouth. When diagnosed early enough, treatment with antibiotics can prove effective: early veterinary attention is therefore essential.
Shedding problems
Generally, geckos should have few problems with shedding: most manage to shed unassisted (indeed, many keepers do not even realise that their gecko has shed). However, if humidity levels in the enclosure are too low or if a moist hide has not been provided, then geckos may experience problems removing shed and some may be retained, especially on the toes, the tip of the tail and around the eyes. It is essential that this material is removed as soon as possible; old shed can dry and constrict the flow of blood to the toes and tail, causing necrosis and the loss of the afflicted part. Similar, shed retained around the eyes can cause infections and, in extreme cases, lead to blindness. To assist a gecko in removing retained shed, place some kitchen towel in a cricket tub or small faunarium and pour in a shallow amount (1cm - 2cm) of lukewarm water. Place the gecko in the tub and leave it to soak for 15 minutes or so (staying with the gecko at all times, just to prevent accidents). This should loosen the shed sufficiently for it to be removed by gently rubbing with a moist cotton bud. If the retained skin is still firmly attached, then repeat the bathing process; under no circumstances should the shed be tugged or forced as this may damage the underlying skin. If the retained shed will not come away (as can happen if several layers are involved), then a vet should be consulted for advice.
