Among all the breeds of reptile leopard geckos are one of the most easy to take care of breeds. A leopard gecko can live up to 20 years provided that they are taken cared of properly. However, as a responsible owner it is your responsibility to be aware of the most common leopard gecko illnesses that your gecko may acquire. In general, a healthy leopard gecko should not be suffering from any of this illness. However, it is still important for you to be acquainted with these illnesses so that you will have an idea how to care for your leo if it happens to acquire one of the diseases listed below.

Parasites

There are two types of parasites; the internal and the external parasite. Some common symptoms of internal parasites include loss of appetite, vomiting, and weight loss. This type of parasite infestation requires proper treatment by your veterinarian.

External parasites or also known as leopard gecko mites are tiny and difficult to spot. This affects the immune system of your pet because it feeds on your leo's blood. Mites suck on your leopard gecko's blood causing him to be lethargic and may also cause lose of appetite. If you suspect external parasite infestation, you must work on it quickly. Wash your leo thoroughly, and put him in a separate tank. Spring clean his home by soaking the tank in a bleach solution for up to 24 hours. Rinse it thoroughly and leave it to dry in air. Replace the substrate, and dispose of any live plants. You also need to sterilize artificial plants and rocks before using it again.

Respiratory Infections

An excessively high humidity level in your leopard gecko's enclosure will more often lead to a respiratory infection. When a leo is too cold, his immunity is weakened which makes him more susceptible to develop respiratory infection. Often, symptoms are not always obvious. Your leo could show signs of distress, or may appear to be panting a lot. To fix this problem you may just have to check and raise the temperature of your pet's enclosure.

Mouth Infections

Mouth infections should never be present in a healthy and clean leopard gecko. This condition is associated with poor hygiene and unsanitary enclosure. Symptoms will include a swollen mouth, loss of appetite or bleeding gums. This condition can be very painful for your pet. Condition such as this can be prevented by ensuring that the enclosure of your leopard gecko is kept clean with the right temperature at all times. Mouth infections can also be due to fighting, so it is important to be cautious when housing two or more leopard geckos together.

Impaction

Impaction is caused by build up of food or any indigestible particles in your leo’s intestine. The most common cause of this is ingestion of a loose substrate. This is why it is important not to use a loose substrate such as sand and gravel in the enclosure of your leopard gecko. Constipation is a secondary problem associated with impaction.