Discover the most common crested gecko health problems including MBD, impaction, and FTS. Learn symptoms, treatments, and prevention tips to keep your gecko healthy.

Crested geckos are incredibly hardy reptiles and are considered one of the easiest species to care for, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to health problems. While these charming creatures rarely fall ill when provided with proper care, understanding the common diseases that can affect them is crucial for every gecko owner. Early detection and prompt treatment can mean the difference between a quick recovery and a life-threatening situation. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most common health issues that crested geckos face, how to recognize the warning signs, and what steps you can take to treat and prevent these conditions.

Metabolic Bone Disease: The Silent Threat

Metabolic Bone Disease, commonly known as MBD, is one of the most serious conditions that can affect crested geckos, though it’s relatively rare when proper nutrition is provided. This calcium deficiency disorder occurs when geckos don’t receive adequate calcium and vitamin D3 in their diet, which are essential for maintaining healthy bones and proper bodily functions.

The symptoms of MBD can be subtle at first but become increasingly severe if left untreated. Watch for a soft, flexible jaw that feels rubbery to the touch, which is often one of the earliest signs. You may also notice curvature or kinking of the spine, a wavy appearance to the tail, trembling or twitching movements, and in severe cases, complete inability to walk or move properly. Some geckos may also develop swollen limbs or show signs of lethargy and decreased appetite.

If you suspect your crested gecko has MBD, immediate veterinary intervention is critical. This is not a condition you should attempt to treat at home, as it requires professional assessment and often includes calcium injections, proper supplementation protocols, and careful monitoring. A qualified reptile veterinarian will create a treatment plan that may include liquid calcium supplements, adjustments to lighting and diet, and follow-up examinations to track recovery progress.

Prevention is far easier than treatment when it comes to MBD. Always use a high-quality commercial crested gecko diet that contains proper calcium and vitamin D3 ratios, or if you’re preparing homemade food, ensure you’re following a veterinarian-approved recipe with appropriate supplementation. Avoid over-supplementing, as some vitamins can actually block calcium absorption, creating the opposite effect of what you’re trying to achieve.

Impaction: When Digestion Goes Wrong

Impaction is considered the number one health problem among geckos of all species, and crested geckos are no exception. This potentially fatal condition occurs when your gecko ingests something it cannot digest, causing a blockage in the digestive system. Common culprits include loose substrate materials like sand or bark chips, food items that are too large, or even accumulated shed skin.

Recognizing impaction early is vital for successful treatment. Key symptoms include a visibly swollen or bloated abdomen, constipation or complete absence of feces, lethargy and decreased activity levels, loss of appetite, and visible discomfort when moving or being handled. Your gecko may also show signs of straining without producing any waste.

Treatment for impaction depends on the severity of the blockage. Mild cases may resolve with increased humidity, warm baths, and gentle massage of the abdomen to help move things along. However, moderate to severe impaction requires immediate veterinary care. Your vet may administer mineral oil, perform manual extraction in some cases, or in extreme situations, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the blockage.

The best approach to impaction is prevention. Use paper towels, reptile carpet, or solid surfaces as substrate rather than loose materials. Ensure all food items are appropriately sized – nothing larger than the space between your gecko’s eyes. Remove any uneaten insects promptly, maintain proper humidity levels to prevent excessive shed buildup, and keep the enclosure clean to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion of debris.

Floppy Tail Syndrome: A Unique Crested Gecko Issue

Floppy Tail Syndrome, or FTS, is a condition that’s particularly common in crested geckos and results in a kinked or curved tail and sometimes spine. This condition can be either environmental or genetic in origin, and understanding the difference is important for proper management.

Environmental FTS typically develops when young geckos don’t have adequate horizontal resting spaces in their enclosure. When juveniles are forced to hang vertically for extended periods without proper support, gravity can cause the developing tail to kink or droop. The condition manifests as a visible bend or curve in the tail, potential spinal curvature in severe cases, and in some instances, balance issues or difficulty climbing.

Unfortunately, once FTS develops, it cannot be reversed. The structural changes to the tail are permanent. However, for environmentally-caused FTS, the focus shifts to prevention of further progression and ensuring the gecko can still live comfortably. This means providing plenty of horizontal branches and platforms, especially for young, growing geckos, and monitoring for any signs of progression. In severe cases where the kinked tail causes problems, some keepers work with veterinarians to induce tail drop, allowing a new, potentially straighter tail to grow.

Genetic FTS is trickier, as it appears regardless of husbandry quality. If you’re breeding crested geckos, it’s crucial not to breed individuals with FTS or those from lines with a history of the condition, as this can perpetuate the genetic weakness. Most cases of FTS are minor and don’t significantly impact the gecko’s quality of life, but it’s something to monitor and consider, especially if you’re planning to breed.

Stuck Shed and Dysecdysis: Shedding Problems

While crested geckos typically shed without issues, stuck shed can become a serious problem if not addressed promptly. Dysecdysis, the medical term for abnormal shedding, most commonly affects the toes, tail tip, and around the eyes. The danger lies in constriction – when shed skin tightens around appendages, it can cut off blood circulation, leading to tissue death and potential loss of toes or tail tips.

Signs of stuck shed include visible pieces of old skin that haven’t come off, particularly around the toes and tail, swelling of the affected digits, discoloration of toes or tail tip, difficulty walking or climbing, and your gecko spending excessive time trying to remove shed. Multiple layers of shed can accumulate if the problem persists, creating an even tighter constriction.

Treating stuck shed requires a gentle approach. Start by providing a humid hide or shedding box – a small container with damp moss or paper towels. Give your gecko a lukewarm bath for about 15-20 minutes to soften the shed, then very gently use a damp cotton swab to help remove loosened skin. For stubborn shed, especially on toes, you may need to repeat this process over several days. Never forcibly pull shed skin, as this can damage the new skin underneath or injure your gecko.

If shed remains stuck after multiple attempts, or if you notice discoloration or swelling of the affected area, veterinary intervention is necessary. A vet can safely remove stubborn shed and assess whether any damage has occurred to the underlying tissue. Prevention involves maintaining proper humidity levels (60-80% during shedding), providing a humid hide at all times, ensuring adequate hydration through regular misting, and monitoring your gecko during shed cycles.

Parasites: Internal and External Invaders

Both internal and external parasites can affect crested geckos, though these issues are more common in wild-caught specimens or when hygiene standards aren’t maintained. Internal parasites like pinworms, hookworms, and coccidia can cause significant health problems if left untreated.

Symptoms of internal parasites include unexplained weight loss despite normal eating, diarrhea or abnormal feces, lethargy and weakness, bloated appearance, and decreased appetite. The only way to definitively diagnose internal parasites is through a fecal examination performed by a veterinarian, which is why annual vet visits are so important.

External parasites, particularly mites, appear as tiny black or brown dots on your gecko’s skin. These blood-feeding organisms congregate around crevices like the eyes, ears, and vent. Mites multiply rapidly and can cause stress, anemia, and secondary bacterial infections. Your gecko may show signs of irritation, reduced appetite, and visible parasites moving on the skin.

Treatment for internal parasites always requires prescription medications from a veterinarian. Never attempt to treat parasites with over-the-counter products, as improper treatment can be more harmful than the parasites themselves. For external parasites like mites, treatment involves both treating the gecko and thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing the entire enclosure. Your vet may prescribe specific anti-parasitic treatments, and you’ll need to implement strict hygiene protocols to prevent reinfestation.

Respiratory Infections and Other Common Issues

Respiratory infections, while less common than other conditions, can develop in crested geckos kept in improper conditions. These infections typically result from temperatures that are too low, excessive humidity, or poor ventilation. Warning signs include open-mouth breathing, wheezing or clicking sounds when breathing, mucus around the nose or mouth, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

Respiratory infections require immediate veterinary care and usually necessitate antibiotic treatment. Your vet will prescribe appropriate medications and may recommend adjustments to your husbandry practices. During treatment, maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels, ensure proper ventilation in the enclosure, and follow all medication instructions precisely.

Other health concerns to watch for include vitamin A deficiency, which can cause eye problems and poor skin condition; dehydration, indicated by sunken eyes, wrinkled skin, and lethargy; obesity from overfeeding, which can lead to fatty liver disease and other complications; and various eye infections that may require topical antibiotics. Each of these conditions benefits from early detection and professional veterinary care.

Prevention: Your Best Defense

The overwhelming majority of health problems in crested geckos can be prevented through proper husbandry. Maintain temperatures between 72-78°F during the day with a slight drop at night, keep humidity levels at 60-80%, provide a varied diet using quality commercial crested gecko food supplemented with occasional insects, ensure fresh water is always available, create an appropriately sized enclosure with proper furnishings, and implement a regular cleaning schedule.

Perhaps most importantly, establish a relationship with a qualified reptile veterinarian before you need one. Annual wellness checks allow your vet to catch potential problems early and provide guidance on optimal care. Keep detailed records of your gecko’s weight, feeding habits, shedding cycles, and any behavioral changes. This information becomes invaluable when trying to identify health issues early.

Conclusion

While crested geckos are remarkably hardy creatures, they’re not invincible. Understanding the common diseases and health issues that can affect these wonderful reptiles empowers you to provide the best possible care and catch problems before they become serious. Remember that early detection is crucial – these animals are masters at hiding illness, so any change in behavior, appetite, or appearance warrants close attention. By maintaining excellent husbandry practices, staying vigilant for signs of illness, and establishing a relationship with a qualified reptile veterinarian, you can help ensure your crested gecko lives a long, healthy, and happy life. The key to successful crested gecko care isn’t just knowing how to treat diseases, but creating an environment where these conditions rarely occur in the first place. With proper prevention and prompt attention to any issues that do arise, your crested gecko can thrive for 15-20 years or more.