Leopard Gecko Health: Diarrhea

Background Information

It is important to keep in mind that diarrhea is not actually a disease itself but it is a symptom of a potentially serious problem.

Normal gecko stools are comprised of two parts:

Brown to black coloured feces.
Urates that are whitish and chalky or solid in consistency.

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.

Common Symptoms

Diarrhea is defined by an excessive quantity of soft or liquid feces.
May contain blood or even mucus.
May be discoloured (see above for normal colouration).
Foul or even a potentially sour odor.
May be associated with vomiting.

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. The more common causes could include:

Improper environmental temperatures
Ingestion of too large of a meal (overfeeding)
Lack of a secure hiding place for proper digestion.
Feeding food items that are too old.
Sudden changes in diet.
Foreign body obstruction or impaction.
Internal parasites
Bacterial, viral or fungal infections.
Inappropriate use of medications.
Improper diet.
Stressful events.
Unsuccessful treatment of a previous medical problem.

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.

The most common techniques include:

Fecal exams
Bacterial and fungal cultures
Radiography
Biopsy
Colonoscopy
Exploratory surgery

Treatment Options

Ultimately the most appropriate therapeutic plan will depend on the cause of the problem. If left untreated, diarrhea can very easily lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and even death. Common treatment options could include:

Correct any potential husbandry practices that may be to blame.
Pay close attention to diet, temperature and cleanliness.
Use of medications.
Use of oral or even parenteral rehydration (fluid administration).

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!