Leopard Gecko Health: Toxicities

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.

Neurological problems in leopard geckos are extremely serious medical problems and require immediate veterinary intervention.

Click here for more information on other neurological problems.

Common Symptoms

There are a wide variety of different symptoms that could be exhibited with respect to toxicities. The bead is often the first part of the body that is affected. The most general signs include:

Total body weakness (paresis).
Loss of the righting reflex.
Inability to strike prey.
Neuromuscular weakness.
Paralysis

The more specific neurological symptoms can include:

Ataxia
Head tilt
Seizures
Walking in circles.
Star gazing.
Convulsions
Twitching

Possible Causes

There are a wide variety of toxic substances that a leopard gecko could come into contact with that could create potentially serious health problems. The most common causes include:

Insecticides
Improper use or side effects to various pharmaceuticals including metronidazole, ivermectic and aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Various chemicals such as phenol-based cleansers and paint solvents.
Cedar wood.
Ingestion of lead.
Nicotine
Parrafin
Napthalene
Iodoforms

Diagnostic Techniques

There are a variety of diagnostic techniques available to your veterinarian (some of which may be used to rule out any other potential non-toxic factors). The most common include:

Complete physical examination.
Complete patient history and overview of husbandry.
Blood work.
Fecal exams.
Radiographs
Cytology
Culture and sensitivity testing
CT scans
MRI scans
Urinalysis

Treatment Options

The most appropriate treatment option will depend on the nature and cause of the actual problem. Some of the more common treatments include:

Provision of supportive care.
Fluid therapy.
Proper nutrition.
Eliminate the source of the problem from the environment.

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!