My leopard gecko might have mouth rot or stuck shed. What should I do?

Thanks for your question about Ava. I am glad that she is eating well for you, and that her attitude is good. I didn’t see exactly how long you have had her, but she likely just needs some time to put on some weight. She seems to be going in the right direction from what you are describing. As far as the brien discoloration in the mouth - yes, this may be mouth rot, but there are other causes as well. Given her thin body condition, she may have been a bit sick when you acquired here. Since she is eating well, you could give things time to see if the spot goes away. endure that your husbandry is ideal, as this will be very good for her and will help with healing. If her attitude or appetite decline, or if she loses weight or fails to gain weight, then I would recommend having her seen by a veterinarian. I hope that gives you a place to start, and congratulations on your new pet!

He may have a retained eye cap which could be the cause of those symptoms. Check temps in the cage. Low temps may affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes. This will provide warmth and may treat or prevent minor dehydration. It may also help is he has any residual shed. You can also massage his abdomen, front to back, during the soak to stimulate defecation. I see you use sand as a substrate, so an impaction is always a concern. Pick up some Fluker's Repta Boost or Oxbow Carnivore Care from the local pet store. This is a better option than baby food. If he doesn't start eating in the next few days or if the eye does not improve, have him seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.

Your suspicions are likely correct for Red - the mass could be related to stomatitis, or mouth rot. This disease often has a husbandry related component, so I would recommend taking a close look at Red's enclosure and its components to ensure that all parameters are perfect. Often temperatures and/or lighting are the culprit - please ensure your UVB bulb has been changed within the last 4-6 months and that it is appropriate for bearded dragons (i.e. it is for desert species). Please also ensure that it is appropriate for the height of Red's enclosure - if it is too close or too far away, Red may experience problems related to it. Temperatures should be measured using digital thermometers located at Red's level, and not elevated in the enclosure. You can find parameters online using a bearded dragon care sheet, such as one found on Reptiles Magazine. Please ensure that Red continues to have an appetite, and that his diet is appropriate. The majority should be made up of a salad of dark leafy greens, with protein supplemented two to three times per week and fruit once per week. Diet can also be involved in cases of stomatitis. It would also be advisable to weigh him every other day to ensure he is not losing weight. This can be done using a digital gram scale (found in the kitchen section of most department stores). If you appreciate a decrease in appetite or weight, I would recommend having Red visit a veterinarian as soon as possible. Until your veterinary visit, I would evaluate the husbandry as outlined above, and make adjustments as needed, and monitor him as outlined above. Your veterinarian will closely evaluate Red and his mouth, and may take a sample of the mass to confirm that it is an infection and not another process. They will also ensure that the jaw is stable, and they may recommend radiographs (x-rays). Treatments may include antibiotics and pain medications, depending on the findings. Please do not give Red any human medications, as they can be harmful for our scaled friends. I hope this gives you a place to start, and good luck!

It is highly suspicious for an abscess or mouth rot. Ideally, she should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian for confirmation. Treatment may include draining or debridement. Antibiotics will almost certainly be required. In the meantime, increase tank temps by 5-10 degrees F to aid in healing. Make sure she continues to eat and soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte to treat or prevent mild dehydration until she sees the doctor.

It is difficult to see clearly but it doesn't look like mouth rot. There may be some irritation which could be from "glass surfing" or from rubbing on cage furniture. Check the humidity level in the enclosure. It looks like Ryuu has a large amount of shed left. This may be due to a difficult shed or it may be early in the process. Either way, he should be soaked or misted to aid in shedding.

Look for redness, swelling, decreased appetite or excess salivation. The "crust" may be food crumbs, shed skin or substrate. A physical exam with your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet would be needed to definitively diagnose rot. In the meantime, make sure the enclosure is clean as poor husbandry can predispose a beardie to infection. High humidity can also promote bacterial or fungal overgrowth.

If you think it is a wound severe enough to expose intestine, Koopa should be seen immediately by your vet or an experienced herp veterinarian. A physical exam may diagnose injury, infection or a bad shed. It may also be a prolapse from the vent. These conditions cannot be diagnosed without an exam. Confirm proper temps in the enclosure. Soak him in a warm solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte daily for 15-20 minutes as long as he is not eating. keep him on paper towels or reptile carpet to keep the affected area clean. Loose substrate may stick to it and contaminate it further. If it is a bad shed, the soaks may loosen the skin/scab.