Stick Tail Disease is a general term describing rapid weight loss in leopard geckos, reducing the fat reserves in their tail to the vertebrae; thus the “stick tail,” descriptor.
Symptoms
- loss of appetite
- lethargy
- diarrhea
- hiding
- rapid weight loss
- extremely skinny tail reduced to the vertebrae
- white spots on liver
Cause
- parasitic infection
- internal abscess
- granuloma
- poor hygiene
- vitamin A deficiency
- cold temps
- shipping stress
Treatment
If your gecko has lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time, it is imperative that you make an appointment with a qualified reptile veterinarian immediately. Because Stick Tail Disease has many potential culprits, the vet will need fecal and blood samples to determine the cause. Once the cause is known, treatment will be prescribed accordingly. Leos with Stick Tail Disease should be housed separately from other geckos.
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Source: Reptiles Magazinea
