My leopard gecko has a skinny tail. What to do until vet visit?

There are a few things that can cause anorexia and a small tail in leopard geckos, but one concerning and common cause is called stick tail disease. This disease is caused by a parasite called cryptosporidium, and can cause wasting and death in geckos without treatment. I highly recommend that you bring Rufus to a herp vet as soon as you can to determine a diagnosis and treatment plan. Cryptosporidium can't be cured, but it can be managed with medication. There is a vet in Dallas that sees reptiles - here is the information in case you don't have a regular herp vet: Summertree Animal and Bird Clinic 12300 Inwood Rd #102, Dallas, TX 75244 (972) 387-4168 The vet will probably collect a stool sample from Rufus as the crypto parasite lives in the intestines. They may also recommend bloodwork to check for other conditions as well. Good luck, and I hope that Rufus recovers!

You'll need to submit a stool sample to your veterinarian to definitively diagnose the condition. It is caused by an intestinal infection. There are several medications that can be dispensed for treatment. Confirm proper husbandry and diet, either can be predisposing factors. The links below will provide more information regarding Stick Tail and Leopard Gecko care. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Stick-Tail-Disease-in-Leopard-Geckos/ http://www.anapsid.org/leopardgek.html

Hello, "Stick tail" refers to generalized weight loss in these species. Weight loss can commonly be caused by intestinal infections or parasites. Weight loss could also be a sign of a more serious problem, such as an internal cancerous tumor. I would recommend taking Delta into a veterinarian to be seen. They will likely recommend x-rays, a fecal exam, and testing of the stomach fluid. Those results can help guide whether Delta has something like a curable infection or a more serious disease and the best treatment course for her. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Have him examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose and treat any infection related to the loss of the tail. In the meantime, increase tank temps by about 5-10 degrees F, soak daily in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20 minutes. Once he warms up and rehydrates, offer appropriately sized prey. Gutload prey for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Supplement with a product such as Fluker's Repti-Boost to get weight back on him. You can clean the stump with diluted betadine or chlorhexidine. Use paper towels for substrate until the stump is healed.

Thanks for reaching out about your gecko and including photos. This animal is emaciated and starving for nutrients. A veterinary visit if highly recommended, ASAP, as it appears severely ill. Intestinal infections/parasite and metabolic disorders (liver, kidney) are among the most common causes. Check and correct husbandry as environmental parameters (heat, UVB exposure, humidity) are extremely important for recovery. Offer water and food through a syringe until a veterinary appointment can be made. Good luck.

Make sure any prey you feed is appropriately sized, no bigger than the space between his eyes. If he has any stuck shed, a good soak in a warm water bath for 15-20 minutes daily may help. If he is constipated, a gentle abdominal massage, from front to back, during the soak may stimulate defecation.

Overall, she looks quite thin. The kinks in the tail may be an early indication of metabolic bone disease (MBD). 21 C is a bit cool for her. Cresties do best between 25.5 C and 27.7 C Ideally, she should be evaluated by your veterinarian to confirm and treat MBD or other illness/infection. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. IN the meantime, you can review care at the link below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Crested-Gecko/