Leopard Gecko Health: Swellings

Background Information

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

There are many possible contributing factors to swellings in leopard geckos. The most common causes include:

Edema (swelling in the body due to the buildup of excess fluid in the tissues).
Abscesses
Cysts
Neoplasia
Subcutaneous parasites
Metabolic Bone Disease
Arthritis
Viral dermatoses
Trauma
and more...

Diagnostic Techniques

There are a wide range of diagnostic techniques available to your veterinarian. The most appropriate ones to use would depend on the circumstance and potential cause. These could include:

Complete physical examination.
Complete patient history and overview of husbandry practices.
Fecal analysis.
Blood work.
Urinalysis
Radiograph
Cytology
Culture and sensitivity testing
Endoscopy
and more...

Treatment Options

The most appropriate treatment option will depend on the actual cause of the swelling.

Correct any environmental or husbandry problems.
Treat any underlying medical conditions/diseases.

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!