Is My Leopard Gecko Dying? 10 Sick Signs, Pale Skin & What To Do (UK 2025)

Leopard geckos are hardy reptiles, but they can still get sick. The challenge? They're masters at hiding illness - by the time you notice something's wrong, they may have been unwell for weeks. This guide teaches you to spot problems early, understand treatment options, and know when to rush to the vet. Information aligned with RSPCA leopard gecko welfare guidelines.

We cover the 10 most common leopard gecko health issues seen by UK exotic vets, with real treatment costs and prevention tips. For specialist care, clinics like Great Western Exotics in Swindon are among the UK's leading reptile hospitals.

✅ Quick Health Check: Is Your Gecko OK?

Healthy signs: Alert eyes, fat tail, eating regularly, active at night, clean vent, complete sheds. Warning signs: Thin tail, closed/sunken eyes, not eating 10+ days, stuck shed on toes, lethargy, runny droppings, weight loss. Emergency: Seizures, bleeding, paralysis, prolapse, severe breathing difficulty → Find emergency vet NOW.

Signs of a Sick Leopard Gecko

Learn these warning signs. Early detection saves lives and money.

Healthy Leopard Gecko Checklist

• ✅ Eyes: Bright, clear, fully open

• ✅ Tail: Plump and fat (stores energy reserves)

• ✅ Appetite: Eating regularly (adults: every 2-3 days)

• ✅ Activity: Active at dusk/night, exploring enclosure

• ✅ Skin: Complete sheds, no stuck pieces

• ✅ Droppings: Brown feces + white urate, solid consistency

• ✅ Weight: Stable (adults typically 45-80g)

Warning Signs - See a Vet

• ❌ Thin tail: Losing fat reserves = energy deficit

• ❌ Sunken/closed eyes: Dehydration or illness

• ❌ Not eating 10+ days: Especially with weight loss

• ❌ Stuck shed: Especially on toes, eyes, or tail tip

• ❌ Lethargy: Not moving, staying in one spot

• ❌ Runny droppings: Parasites or infection

• ❌ Breathing with mouth open: Respiratory infection

• ❌ Wobbly walking: MBD or neurological issue

Emergencies - Vet Immediately

• 🚨 Seizures or tremors

• 🚨 Bleeding

• 🚨 Prolapse (tissue hanging from vent)

• 🚨 Paralysis

• 🚨 Severe breathing difficulty

• 🚨 Visible injury

Don't have a vet? Find an exotic specialist near you - do this BEFORE you need one. For after-hours emergencies, see our 24/7 emergency vet guide.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Pale?

Pale or white skin is the #1 concern gecko owners search for online. Here's what it means:

Normal Paleness (Don't Panic)

• Pre-shed: Geckos turn pale/dusty 1-3 days before shedding - this is completely normal

• Just woke up: Colours can look duller immediately after waking

• Cold: Temporarily paler when temperatures drop (check your thermostat)

Concerning Paleness (Monitor Closely)

• Pale for 4+ days without shedding: Could indicate dehydration, stress, or illness

• Pale + lethargic: Combined with not moving much = potential health issue

• Pale + not eating: If lasting more than 7-10 days, see a vet

• Pale + weight loss: Thin tail + pale skin = veterinary emergency

What To Do If Your Gecko Is Pale But Not Shedding

1. Check temperatures: Warm side should be 28-32°C, cool side 24-26°C

2. Check humidity: Ensure humid hide is moist (40-50% ambient humidity)

3. Offer water: Fresh water daily, some geckos prefer dripping water

4. Wait 48-72 hours: If still pale with no shed starting, it's likely not pre-shed

5. Vet visit: If pale + lethargic + not eating for 7+ days → find an exotic vet

1. Stuck Shed (Dysecdysis)

The most common leopard gecko health issue. Unlike snakes that shed in one piece, geckos shed in patches. Problems occur when humidity is too low or the gecko is dehydrated.

Symptoms

• Visible old skin stuck to body

• Constricting bands around toes (CRITICAL - can cause toe loss)

• Skin over eyes (retained eye caps)

• Crusty tail tip

Treatment

1. Lukewarm soak: Shallow bath (28-30°C), 1cm deep, 10-15 minutes

2. Gentle removal: Use damp cotton bud, NEVER pull

3. Check toes carefully: Use magnifying glass if needed

4. Retained eye caps: See vet - don't attempt removal yourself

Prevention

• Provide humid hide with sphagnum moss or paper towel

• Maintain 40-50% ambient humidity - use a digital hygrometer to monitor

• Ensure fresh water always available

• Mist humid hide 2-3 times weekly

Vet cost if needed: £45-£75 (consultation) + £20-£50 (treatment)

For similar issues in snakes, see our corn snake shedding guide.

2. Parasites (Cryptosporidium, Pinworms)

The silent killer. Many leopard geckos carry parasites without showing symptoms initially. Pet shop animals and wild-caught geckos are especially at risk.

Types of Parasites

Cryptosporidium ("Crypto"):

• INCURABLE and FATAL - no effective treatment

• Highly contagious to other reptiles

• Symptoms: Stick tail (severe muscle wasting), regurgitation, chronic weight loss

• Infected animals should be isolated permanently

Pinworms (Oxyurids):

• Common, often subclinical

• Symptoms: Runny droppings, weight loss despite eating

• Treatable with antiparasitic medication

Coccidia:

• Common in stressed or young geckos

• Symptoms: Bloody or mucousy droppings, lethargy

• Treatable with veterinary medication

Diagnosis & Treatment

1. Fecal test: Vet examines droppings under microscope (£25-£50)

2. Medication: Usually Panacur (fenbendazole) or similar (£20-£40)

3. Retest: Follow-up fecal after treatment course

Prevention

• Quarantine new geckos for 60-90 days in a separate quarantine enclosure

• Get fecal test for all new animals

• Buy from reputable breeders with health history

• Don't mix geckos from different sources

• Wash hands between handling different animals

Vet cost: £70-£150 (consultation + fecal + medication). The RCVS Find a Vet tool can help locate registered practices.

3. Impaction

Blockage in the digestive tract, usually from substrate ingestion or oversized food. The Royal Veterinary College Exotics Service sees many impaction cases annually.

Causes

• Loose particle substrate (sand, walnut shell, gravel)

• Prey items too large (rule: no wider than space between eyes)

• Dehydration

• Low temperatures slowing digestion

Symptoms

• Not defecating (no droppings for 7+ days)

• Bloated belly

• Loss of appetite

• Lethargy

• Visible lump in abdomen

Treatment

Mild cases (caught early):

1. Warm soak (28-30°C) for 15-20 minutes

2. Gentle belly massage

3. Drop of olive oil orally (not mineral oil)

4. Raise warm side temperature to 32-34°C

Severe cases:

• Vet visit essential

• X-ray to confirm blockage (£80-£150)

• May require enema or surgery (£150-£500+)

Prevention

• Use solid substrate: slate tile, paper towel, or reptile carpet

• If using loose substrate, feed in separate container

• Appropriate prey size always

• Maintain proper temperatures with a reliable thermostat (warm side 28-32°C)

• Fresh water available 24/7

Vet cost: £100-£500+ depending on severity

4. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)

Calcium deficiency causing bone weakness. Less common in leopard geckos than bearded dragons (since leos are nocturnal and don't need UVB), but still occurs with poor supplementation.

Symptoms

• Rubbery jaw: Lower jaw soft when touched

• Bent/bowed limbs: Legs appear curved

• Tremors/twitching: Especially after eating

• Difficulty walking: Wobbly, dragging body

• Spinal deformity: Kinked or curved spine

• Lethargy: Unable to climb or move normally

Treatment

• Mild cases: Correct supplementation, may improve

• Moderate cases: Liquid calcium from vet, intensive supplementation

• Severe cases: May be irreversible, supportive care only

Vet cost: £80-£200 (consultation + liquid calcium + follow-up)

Prevention

• Dust all insects with calcium + D3 powder every feeding

• Provide calcium dish in enclosure 24/7 (pure calcium without D3)

• Gut-load insects with nutritious foods before feeding

• Vary diet: Crickets, locusts, dubia roaches, occasional waxworms

For more on MBD, see our bearded dragon health guide which covers this condition in depth. The British Veterinary Association has resources on reptile nutrition.

5. Respiratory Infections

Bacterial or viral infection of the lungs. Usually caused by incorrect humidity (too high or too low) or temperature drops.

Symptoms

• Breathing with mouth open

• Clicking or wheezing sounds

• Bubbles around nose or mouth

• Excess mucus

• Lethargy, loss of appetite

• Holding head up (struggling to breathe)

Treatment

• Vet visit essential - needs antibiotic treatment

• Raise temperatures slightly (helps immune response)

• Ensure good ventilation

• May need nebulisation in severe cases

Prevention

• Maintain correct temperatures (warm 28-32°C, cool 24-26°C)

• Don't let humidity stay above 50% (except humid hide)

• Good enclosure ventilation

• Don't use overly damp substrate

• Quarantine sick animals

Vet cost: £100-£250 (consultation + antibiotics + follow-up)

6. Mouth Rot (Stomatitis)

Bacterial infection of the mouth, often from injury or weakened immune system.

Symptoms

• Red, inflamed gums

• White/yellow cheesy discharge in mouth

• Swelling around jaw

• Refusing food

• Drooling

Treatment

• Vet treatment essential

• Antiseptic mouth rinse

• Antibiotics (oral or injectable)

• May need dead tissue removal

Prevention

• Remove sharp objects from enclosure

• Appropriate prey size

• Good husbandry (correct temps, clean environment)

Vet cost: £100-£200

7. Tail Drop & Regrowth

Leopard geckos drop their tails as a defence mechanism. While not an illness, it requires proper care.

Why Tails Drop

• Grabbed by tail (NEVER hold a gecko by its tail)

• Attacked by cage mate

• Stuck shed constricting tail

• Extreme stress

Treatment

1. Keep wound clean (antiseptic if needed)

2. Paper towel substrate until healed (prevents infection)

3. Monitor for infection (redness, swelling, discharge)

4. Extra feeding - they've lost fat reserves

Regrowth

• New tail grows back but looks different (bulbous, different colour)

• Fully functional but may be shorter

• Takes several months to regrow

Vet cost (if infected): £60-£120

8. Eye Problems

Several issues can affect leopard gecko eyes.

Common Eye Issues

Retained eye caps:

• Old skin stuck over eye after shed

• Eye appears cloudy or dull

• DON'T attempt removal - see vet

Eye infections:

• Swelling, discharge, redness

• Often from substrate particles or bacteria

• Needs antibiotic eye drops from vet

Abscesses:

• Lump behind eye

• May need surgical draining

Prevention

• Proper humidity for complete sheds

• Avoid dusty substrates

• Clean enclosure regularly

Vet cost: £80-£200 (consultation + medication or minor procedure)

9. Anorexia (Not Eating)

Loss of appetite can have many causes - determining the right one is key.

Common Causes

• Temperature too low: Below 25°C slows metabolism

• Stress: New environment, handling, cage mates

• Brumation: Natural winter slowdown (reduced appetite for weeks)

• Shedding: Often refuse food 1-3 days before shedding

• Parasites: Internal parasites affect appetite

• Impaction: Can't eat because they're blocked

• Illness: Respiratory infection, mouth rot, etc.

• Wrong food: May refuse unfamiliar prey

When to Worry

• Adult not eating 14+ days WITH weight loss → Vet

• Juvenile not eating 7+ days → Vet (they can't fast as long)

• Not eating + other symptoms (lethargy, weight loss) → Vet

What to Try First

1. Check temperatures (warm side should be 28-32°C)

2. Check humidity (40-50%)

3. Reduce handling/stress

4. Try different prey (crickets vs locusts vs mealworms)

5. Ensure prey is appropriate size

Vet cost if needed: £70-£150 (consultation + possible fecal test)

10. Egg Binding (Dystocia) - Females Only

Female leopard geckos can produce eggs even without a male (infertile). If eggs can't be passed, it's life-threatening.

Symptoms

• Visible swelling/lump in abdomen

• Straining to lay

• Lethargy

• Loss of appetite

• No eggs produced despite visible bulge for 2+ weeks

Treatment

• Emergency vet visit required

• Calcium injection may help pass eggs

• Warm soaks may help

• Severe cases need surgery (£300-£600+)

Prevention

• Provide laying box with moist substrate

• Good calcium supplementation

• Proper temperatures

Vet cost: £150-£600+ (consultation + treatment or surgery)

UK Vet Costs Guide (2025)

For full pricing details, see our complete exotic vet cost guide UK 2025.

Prevention Checklist

Most health problems are preventable with correct husbandry:

Temperature

• ✅ Warm side: 28-32°C (use thermostat!)

• ✅ Cool side: 24-26°C

• ✅ Night temps: Can drop to 21-24°C

Humidity

• ✅ Ambient: 30-40%

• ✅ Humid hide: 70-80% (moist moss/paper towel)

Nutrition

• ✅ Dust all insects with calcium + D3

• ✅ Calcium dish available 24/7

• ✅ Gut-load feeder insects

• ✅ Vary diet (crickets, locusts, dubia roaches)

• ✅ Appropriate prey size

Enclosure

• ✅ Minimum 60x45x30cm vivarium for adult

• ✅ 3 hides (warm, cool, humid hide)

• ✅ Safe substrate (tile, paper towel, reptile carpet)

• ✅ Fresh water daily

• ✅ Clean spot daily, deep clean with reptile-safe disinfectant monthly

Vet Care

• ✅ Find exotic vet BEFORE you need one

• ✅ Annual checkup recommended

• ✅ Fecal test new animals

• ✅ Quarantine new geckos 60-90 days

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my leopard gecko is sick?

Warning signs include: not eating 10+ days, weight loss, lethargy, closed/sunken eyes, stuck shed, tail thinning, unusual droppings, difficulty walking. Any of these warrant a vet visit.

How much does a leopard gecko vet visit cost UK?

Standard consultation: £45-£75. Fecal tests: £25-£50. X-rays: £80-£150. Budget £100-£300 for typical health issues.

Why is my leopard gecko not eating?

Common causes: temperatures too low, stress, impaction, parasites, respiratory infection, brumation, shedding. If not eating 10+ days with weight loss, see a vet.

Can leopard geckos get metabolic bone disease?

Yes, though less common than in bearded dragons. Caused by calcium/D3 deficiency. Prevention: dust insects with calcium+D3 every feeding, provide calcium dish 24/7.

How do I treat stuck shed on a leopard gecko?

Never pull stuck shed. Soak in lukewarm water (28-30°C) for 10-15 minutes, gently rub with damp cotton bud. Check toes carefully. For severe cases or eye caps, see a vet.

Do leopard geckos need to see a vet regularly?

Annual checkups recommended, especially fecal testing for parasites (£25-£50). Find an exotic vet before emergencies occur.

Need a Vet?

Don't wait until emergencies to find an exotic specialist. Use our UK Exotic Vet Directory to locate RCVS-verified vets near you who treat reptiles. You can also check the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians for specialists.

For more leopard gecko information, see our complete leopard gecko care guide, beginner's guide to exotic pets, and terrarium setup guide.

Information based on UK exotic veterinary practice and RSPCA welfare guidelines. Last updated November 2025.