Mouth Rot in Leopard Geckos
The Leopard gecko is one of the most popular reptiles that live in captivity. However, you should also be aware that they have a large number of health-associated problems, some of which you may not be aware of, and one of the most prevalent of these is Mouth Rot.
A common disease in leopard geckos is mouth rot. Also known as infectious stomatitis, Mouth Rot affects the mouth and gums of the gecko, causing it to refuse to feed. If it is left untreated, Mouth Rot can be very deadly for the gecko.
You are well aware that mouth rot can kill a leopard gecko very quickly. Therefore, it is extremely helpful for leopard gecko owners to understand the symptoms, causes, and treatments for mouth rot in leopard geckos. This will enable us to prevent them from getting this disease. Throughout this article, we will cover all the key points about mouth Rot in Leopard geckos such as symptoms, causes, and treatments. You must read through the entire article to learn everything you need to know about mouth Rot in geckos.
Leopard gecko mouth rot (infectious stomatitis) is very common in reptiles. It is caused by bacterial infections that develop in the mouth and gums of the gecko, which in turn leads the tissue lining the mouth of the gecko to become irritated and inflamed. It is caused by stress, parasites, a weak immune system, etc.
This disease is transferable to other geckos, but not to humans. If you suspect that your gecko is suffering from mouth rot, then you need to isolate him or her from other geckos.
It is important to treat mouth Rot in its early stage to prevent it from spreading to your gecko's mouth and becoming infected, there is also a high risk of cancer, and also the possibility of spreading in the digestive tract and causing serious health problems.
When Leopard Geckos develop mouth rot, how does it affect them?
If your leopard gecko has mouth Rot, and if it is not treated correctly and early by you, it will have the following consequences that are so detrimental to its health.
- If mouth rots in a gecko become too severe, it can cause the digestive system to shut down completely. This can cause a lot of problems.
- If they have a mouth rot infection it can spread to their teeth and jaw leading to tooth loss and may also cause mouth cancer. If it spreads to their eyes, they can lose all their sight.
- The body condition of geckos can slowly deteriorate if the mouth Rot is not treated early.
- An infection in the bones of the gecko may lead to surgical removal of the bones and flesh of the gecko if the infection spreads to the bones.
Signs of mouth rot in Leopard Geckos
For the owner of a leopard gecko, it is very important to be aware of the early signs of mouth Rot in leopard geckos so that they can treat them at an early stage because in case it becomes fatal, the gecko can die as a result.
Below is a list of some of the early symptoms of mouth Rot that can be seen in leopard geckos.
- Drooling excessively,
- Gecko behavior suddenly changes,
- Discharge from its mouth or nose,
- Eating less than usual,
- When food gets stuck in the corner of a gecko's mouth,
- You may notice a yellow plaque on your leopard gecko's gums or mouth,
- Drink less water,
- The mouth lining is reddened,
- A swelling occurs on the face and head,
- The mouth is filled with pus or dead tissue,
- Lethargy develops,
- Having bleeding gums,
- They give off a foul smell,
- Having a preference for one side of the mouth when chewing.
- Discoloration of the teeth,
- There is inflammation in the mouth tissue etc.
Causes of Mouth Rot in Leopard Geckos
Pet owners must learn the causes of mouth Rot in leopard geckos to be able to protect their animals before they become infected with it.
Below are a few causes of mouth Rot in leopard geckos that you should be aware of.
Due to inadequate hygiene in the gecko tank
If the enclosure for your leopard gecko is too dirty or unhygienic, then this will create a breeding ground for bacteria. This will cause your leopard gecko to get an infection in his mouth due to bacteria present in the enclosure.
Due to a lack of vitamin A in the gecko diet
When you feed your gecko a diet lacking in vitamin A, there is a chance your gecko may suffer from mouth rot as a result.
For a leopard gecko to survive, it needs to have a sufficient amount of vitamin A in the body to ensure healthy growth, and if it is deficient in vitamin A, it can result in an abnormal growth in the gecko's oral glands, which can lead to swelling in the gecko mouth, and that will cause mouth rot.
Low immune system
When your leopard gecko has a low immune system, it means that bacteria can easily get into the mouth of your leopard gecko and cause mouth rot. However, if it has a strong immune system, the immune system will fight bacteria and not let them get into your leopard gecko's body.
Due to some cuts in the inside of the mouth of the gecko
When your leopard gecko gets a cut inside the mouth, either by doing a fight with another gecko or by being touched by a sharp object in their mouth, the cut area becomes infected and this causes mouth rot to occur.
As a result of stress
The mouth rot of a leopard gecko occurs when your gecko is stressed because of overheating, inadequate habitat, or a combination of these factors. This stress causes a weak immune system, and bacteria can enter the gecko's mouth.
In addition to these causes, some other factors can contribute to gecko mouth rot. These factors include inadequate diet, incorrect environment, Due to chewing of the substrate, and improper humidity levels.
Ways to prevent mouth Rot in Leopard Geckos
For Leopard gecko owners, it is extremely important to prevent their geckos from getting gecko mouth rot in order to ensure the safety and health of their animals. Therefore, we have provided some tips below that will help you prevent geckos from getting gecko mouth rot.
- It is recommended that you clean your gecko tank daily so that bacteria cannot grow in the tank.
- It is important to provide a balanced diet for your geckos that consists of protein-rich insects like crickets and other insects as well as a vitamin A supplement to keep their immune system strong.
- Make optimum temperature and humidity levels in the gecko habitat. To keep track of the temperature and humidity levels of your Leopard gecko's tank, you should purchase a thermometer and humidifier. This thermometer and humidifier can be bought online by clicking on the link that is provided below. Buy Reptile Thermometer Hygrometer from Amazon.
- You must make sure that the gecko habitat has no sharp edges or sharp substrates to prevent cuts to their mouths.
- You should not place two Leopard geckos within the same enclosure as this might lead to a fight between them, which might be stressful for both.
What should I do if I see my gecko has mouth rot?
If you see your leopard gecko early signs of mouth rot in gecko then you should treat them at home with a saline mixture that contains one teaspoon of salt and one cup of warm water. After allowing the mix to cool slightly, use it to clean the infected area of the gecko's mouth. By doing so, you will be able to disinfect the area, kill bacteria, and help prevent the condition from worsening.
If you do not get results by repeating the above procedure, then you must see your gecko to the vet as soon as possible. If there is no severe situation then your vet will give you instructions, and prescribe some antibiotics for your gecko. In the case of severe cases, surgery may be necessary to treat mouth rot in geckos.
If you have more than one gecko, and you see one of them showing signs of mouth rot, then you should isolate that gecko from the others since mouth rot is a disease that is easily spread from one gecko to the next.