Why is my leopard geckos tail small?
Poor feeding habits are the most common reason for a leopard gecko getting skinny and having stick tail. This can be due to offering the wrong foods or not enough of them. It can also be caused by an underlying disease, stress, poor habitat conditions, or a parasite such as cryptosporidium.
Why is my leopard gecko’s tail getting fat?
Leopard geckos, like most lizards, store their fat in their tails. This is why their tails often look plump and sometimes even outright fat; that stored fat is vital to their health, as in times where they are ill or cannot access food, it will sustain them.
How fat should my gecko’s tail be?
A healthy leopard gecko tail should look fat and plump. The tail should start off as the same size as the body, just behind the back legs, but then start to get thicker about half an inch further down the tail. The skin patterns and tone should stay the same throughout the whole body.
What to do if your leopard has stick tail disease?
The treatment for stick tail disease is dependent on the actual cause. If bacterial infection or general parasites are the culprit, they can be treated with appropriate medications from your exotic veterinarian. Avoid using over the counter or dog/cat/human medications for your reptile pet.
When to euthanize a leopard gecko with stick tail?
If a gecko infected with Cryptosporidium varanae does not show weight gain, increased activity, and a willingness to eat on its own within three weeks of treatment, its outlook is poor and euthanasia should be considered. The more information your veterinarian has, the better he or she can advise you as to your gecko’s chances.
How can you tell if a leopard has stick tail?
There is specific test for crypto on a fresh fecal or stool sample called PCR testing, but that is not available at all animal hospitals. Additionally, bacterial infection caused by Salmonella can cause similar signs of weight loss leading to stick tail.
Can a leopard gecko have a fat tail?
Compare the top photo of a healthy leopard gecko’s tail with the photo beneath it of a gecko exhibiting stick tail. An adult, malnourished leopard gecko exhibiting stick tail. Leopard geckos and fat-tail geckos, though many other lizards may have similar underlying causes of weight loss.
The treatment for stick tail disease is dependent on the actual cause. If bacterial infection or general parasites are the culprit, they can be treated with appropriate medications from your exotic veterinarian. Avoid using over the counter or dog/cat/human medications for your reptile pet.
If a gecko infected with Cryptosporidium varanae does not show weight gain, increased activity, and a willingness to eat on its own within three weeks of treatment, its outlook is poor and euthanasia should be considered. The more information your veterinarian has, the better he or she can advise you as to your gecko’s chances.
There is specific test for crypto on a fresh fecal or stool sample called PCR testing, but that is not available at all animal hospitals. Additionally, bacterial infection caused by Salmonella can cause similar signs of weight loss leading to stick tail.
What should I do if my leopard gecko has tail rot?
The main focus now should be to stop the rot traveling higher up the tail, while helping your gecko fight the tail rot and improve their health. In the event you are convinced your leopard gecko has tail rot, then it will require a visit to the vet who will amputate the damaged part of the tail.
