Leopard geckos are generally healthy animals. But this does not mean that they are free from acquiring diseases. Good thing is majority of these diseases can be prevented as long as proper care is given by the pet owners to the leopard gecko. Some of the most common diseases in leopard geckos and how it is treated or prevented will be discussed further in this article.

Osteodystrophy: A bone disease which is characterized by a loss of density of the bones. This disease makes the bone of the affected leopard gecko brittle. Osteodystrophy can also affect the growth of a gecko. If osteodystrophy will strike a leopard gecko on their youth, it may cause them to grow crooked. This disease is caused by deficiency in calcium, generally due to an imbalanced diet. Some common symptoms of this disease include weakness, swollen or crooked limbs and tremors. To treat this disease, you need to increase calcium in your gecko's diet.

Digestive tract blockages: Geckos has the tendency to swallow their bedding material while they eat. This may lead to stomach or bowel obstructions. If you use sand or gravel as bedding, it will increase the chances of your leopard gecko to acquire digestive tract blockages. To prevent this from happening you should use sand and gravel free feeding area for your leopard gecko and use a shallow bowl to feed your pet. An early manifestation of this illness is loss of appetite. It is normal for a leopard gecko not to eat every day but if your leopard gecko stopped eating for a week, then it is entirely a different story. Have a veterinarian examine your pet so that proper treatment will be carried out.

Infections in the mouth and in the respiratory systems: These infections are usually minor and affect leopard geckos that have compromised immune system which is brought about by an improper diet. Temperature also has something to do with this illness. That is why it is very important to keep the temperature of the hide of your leopard gecko properly regulated to provide comfort. Generally, changing the gecko's environment and improving their diet can help solve this problem.

Obesity: This is a common problem because leopard geckos really love to eat. Too much fat in the gecko's diet (often caused by too many wax worms or mealworms) is the primary cause of this condition. The manifestation of this condition is initial weight gain that may be followed by an abrupt weight loss along with a loss of appetite. This can be fatal to your gecko, so it's best to prevent this disease; treatment for this condition is increasing protein and vitamin supplements in your gecko's diet.

Tail Loss: Tail loss is another common occurrence in the life of leopard gecko. Lost tail is an indication that your gecko has been through a stressful situation. To prevent your gecko from loosing its tail you must make sure to always handle your pet carefully and never pick them up or handle them by the tail. Although loosing a tail is not life threatening for your leopard gecko it is still very important to care for the stump by applying topical antibiotic ointment on it daily as the tail grows back to prevent infection.