Are you considering a pet like the Leopard Gecko for your family? Do you live in New York or New Jersey? We have a few tips and statistics about the lizard to help you better understand your new addition. Because some health conditions are common with your pet, a routine exam every six to twelve months is a good idea for your little gecko.
Facts about the Leopard Gecko
Night is the most active time for the gecko
They eat the skin the shed
Geckos can be calm if well-handled
Typically live six to ten years, but can live longer
Can drop the tail and regrow it after months
Naturally live in the desert
always
take a newly purchased gecko to an exotic animal veterinarian for a wellness examination and fecal check for parasites
quarantine new geckos in a separate area of the house for at least 30 days
when housing geckos together in groups, include only one adult male to avoid fighting
mist the hide box substrate daily with water
provide low level UVB light. As a nocturnal animal, leopard geckos may be adapted to low light intensity, and thus may require lower levels of supplemental UVB light in captivity than many other reptiles. However, studies have shown that they do best with regular UVB supplementation using a low level UVB light.
Housing for your leopard gecko should:
be easy to clean with good ventilation
include clean fresh water provided in a shallow container that is large enough for soaking, which is changed/cleaned daily
include a separate area for feeding healthy, well-fed prey coated in a powdered calcium carbonate supplement (free of any other vitamins or minerals) - all supplementation should be discussed with your veterinarian
provide an appropriate gradient of temperatures in the enclosure, from 73-75ºF on the cool end to 88-90ºF on the warm end.
provide acceptable substrates such as paper towel, towels, reptile carpet, or ceramic tile
provide multiple hide boxes on both the warm and cool sides of the enclosure
include a humid hide box filled with moist paper towels, vermiculite, or sponge (which should be changed weekly)
Most common Disorders of Leopard Geckos
Intestinal parasites
Metabolic bone disease
Egg binding
Gastroenteritis / diarrhea
Sand impactions
Shedding problems
Loss of digits and/or tail loss
Stomatitis
Respiratory infections
Eye inflammation/infection
Preventative healthcare keeps your pet healthy
Do you live in Manhattan, the Bronx, or Brooklyn? Do you need an exotic pet vet for your Leopard Gecko? Knowing your gecko sees an exotic specialist that has the experience and technology to provide premium health services for your pet will give you peace of mind. Remember that your pet needs regular check-ups once or twice a year.
Call us at 516-482-1101 to book your first visit today.
Source
https://www.birdexoticsvet.com/ https://www.vetsecure.com/animalandexoticmedicalcenter.com/articles/125