Leopard Gecko Health: Anorexia

Background Information

It is important to keep in mind that anorexia is not actually a disease itself in leopard geckos but it is a symptom of a potentially serious problem or it may be just be part of a natural seasonal slowdown that many leopard geckos go through yearly.

Please read our Disclaimer before reading any further into these common problems. As with any medical problem, we strongly recommend that you immediately contact your veterinarian for assistance.

Possible Causes

As with many other problems encountered with leopard geckos, there could be a wide range of possible contributing factors that you and your vet will work through and start to eliminate. Most of the time, a lack of appetite is related to improper husbandry practices and not actually any disease.

The more common causes could include:

Seasonal anorexia (many species will go off their food seasonally during the winter months.
Improper environmental temperatures
Improper lighting schedule - lack of a regular photoperiod.
Lack of a secure hiding place.
Habitat recently moved, changed or too small.
Food is being offered in the wrong place.
Offering the wrong kind of food.
Offering food at the wrong time of day.
Improper feeding schedule.
Gecko is uncomfortable eating for an audience.
Gecko is shedding.
Stress.
New owners or people feeding the reptile.
Failure of a wild-caught specimen to adjust to captivity
Breeding season - sexually active males and gravid females may go off food.
Dominate individual preventing others from eating or may eat most of the food.
Dystocia (egg binding)
Gastrointestinal problems
Internal parasites
External parasites
Bacterial, viral or fungal infections
Foreign body obstruction or impaction
Respiratory disease
Neoplasia
Other medical problems

Diagnostic Techniques

There are many different diagnostic techniques available to determine the potential cause of the diarrhea. The most appropriate technique will depend on various circumstances and the results of other testing that may have been carried out.

Evaluation of husbandry practices and detailed case history.
Physical exam
Fecal exams
Blood work
Cultures
Biopsies
Radiography
Ultrasound, endoscopy ...

Treatment Options

Ultimately the most appropriate therapeutic plan will depend on the cause of the problem. If the anorexia is deemed not to be a form of seasonal slowdown, the therapeutic plan could include:

Fixing contributing environmental/husbandry problems.
Treating any disease that may be present.
Assist or force feeding (only recommended by a veterinarian and how to do this properly by your veterinarian).

When dealing with medical problems, proper personal hygiene, quarantine and disinfection techniques are absolutely necessary.

Still Confused or Concerned?

If you would like more information or further assistance, or just want to chat some more about leopard geckos, please feel free to post on the Reptile Rescue, Canada Leopard Gecko Forum!