My leopard gecko might have mouth rot or stuck shed. What should I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
I'm afraid my leopard gecko has mouth rot. His appetite has been good and I saw him eat a couple of large meal worms three days ago. It could possibly be stuck shed.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 15th, 2017
From the picture it looks more like inflamed and ulcerated tissue then extra shed, but pictures can be deceiving. I would encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian soon, before he becomes too sick. He will likely need antibiotics. Also double check that your temperature and humidity are appropriate, and that he is getting good night and daylight cycles (too long light cycles can cause stress). A good resource is www.anapsid.org Good luck and I hope he improves soon!
6Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on October 12th, 2017
I would suspect that she has an issue with her mouth that is painful, causing her to rub and not want to eat. It is not uncommon for them to develop a bit of mouth rot which is a combination of infection and inflammation. I would try and find a good reptile vet and take her in to be examined, she will require veterinary treatment for this.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My gecko hasn’t eaten for 2 months and hasn’t driken water for 4 days. She won’t open her eyes and has had rapid weight loss. She has a little bit of black tissue on one side of her mouth... she barley moves, and she always rubs her head against the
I would suspect that she has an issue with her mouth that is painful, causing her to rub and not want to eat. It is not uncommon for them to develop a bit of mouth rot which is a combination of infection and inflammation. I would try and find a good reptile vet and take her in to be examined, she will require veterinary treatment for this.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
Hi! I just got a crested gecko. She’s 9 grams and seems a little skinny for her length. She just shed and has been eating fine. However she has a little bit of brown at the very back of her mouth and I’m worried it might be mouth rot. I’ve had snakes
Thanks for your question about Ava. I am glad that she is eating well for you, and that her attitude is good. I didn’t see exactly how long you have had her, but she likely just needs some time to put on some weight. She seems to be going in the right direction from what you are describing. As far as the brien discoloration in the mouth - yes, this may be mouth rot, but there are other causes as well. Given her thin body condition, she may have been a bit sick when you acquired here. Since she is eating well, you could give things time to see if the spot goes away. endure that your husbandry is ideal, as this will be very good for her and will help with healing. If her attitude or appetite decline, or if she loses weight or fails to gain weight, then I would recommend having her seen by a veterinarian. I hope that gives you a place to start, and congratulations on your new pet!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, I have a 3/4 year old leopard gecko. He hasn’t been eating too much recently and looks like he is getting underweight. He hasn’t opened his one eye in two days despite me gently rubbing it with a damp Q-tip. I have tried to give him a couple d
He may have a retained eye cap which could be the cause of those symptoms. Check temps in the cage. Low temps may affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes. This will provide warmth and may treat or prevent minor dehydration. It may also help is he has any residual shed. You can also massage his abdomen, front to back, during the soak to stimulate defecation. I see you use sand as a substrate, so an impaction is always a concern. Pick up some Fluker's Repta Boost or Oxbow Carnivore Care from the local pet store. This is a better option than baby food. If he doesn't start eating in the next few days or if the eye does not improve, have him seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Bearded dragon has a lump on his face. Not sure what it is, I read somewhere that it could be this think called mouth rot. I don't have much money right now...will he be okay for a bit till I can take him to get treated? If so what can I do or use to
Your suspicions are likely correct for Red - the mass could be related to stomatitis, or mouth rot. This disease often has a husbandry related component, so I would recommend taking a close look at Red's enclosure and its components to ensure that all parameters are perfect. Often temperatures and/or lighting are the culprit - please ensure your UVB bulb has been changed within the last 4-6 months and that it is appropriate for bearded dragons (i.e. it is for desert species). Please also ensure that it is appropriate for the height of Red's enclosure - if it is too close or too far away, Red may experience problems related to it. Temperatures should be measured using digital thermometers located at Red's level, and not elevated in the enclosure. You can find parameters online using a bearded dragon care sheet, such as one found on Reptiles Magazine. Please ensure that Red continues to have an appetite, and that his diet is appropriate. The majority should be made up of a salad of dark
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We have a 6-9 month old leopard gecko. He is currently shedding at his head and tail and acting very lethargic. This is a rapid change from a few days ago. He seems lighter too. Any thoughts or insights would be most appreciated.
Thanks for your question about Leo lela, and I am sorry that this is happening to you both! Typically leopard geckos should shed all of their skin in a short period of time, and they often eat it so owners may not realize they have shed at all. When we see shed sticking around, like in Leo lela's case, we begin to worry about dysecdysis (retained shed). This is common when there are imperfections in the husbandry that is provided. Most frequently, there is not enough humidity present. For leopard geckos, we recommend having a humid hide available for them that is lined with moist sphagnum moss. It is recommended to have a humid hide on the warm end of the enclosure as well as the cool end to provide your gecko with options regarding humidity. As far as him being lighter - I am not sure if you mean lighter in color, which may be associated with the shedding, or lighter in weight. If you mean lighter in weight, then I would be concerned that he has an underlying issue occurring. To hel
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Chinese water dragon has some kind of weird thing on hits mouth and it's always sticky and dry looking I'm thinking it's mouth rot but I'm not sure the lady who sold me him didn't tell me she claimed that it is a bite wound should I treat it as mo
It is highly suspicious for an abscess or mouth rot. Ideally, she should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian for confirmation. Treatment may include draining or debridement. Antibiotics will almost certainly be required. In the meantime, increase tank temps by 5-10 degrees F to aid in healing. Make sure she continues to eat and soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte to treat or prevent mild dehydration until she sees the doctor.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
OK so my leopard gecko shedded in had shed over his eyes and they were like glued shut for a week I made a vet appointment and the day I was gonna take him he actually opened both of his eyes so I was glad and they just told me to call him if I need
Thanks for reaching out about Bowser and including a photo. Vitamin A deficiencies can lead to poor shedding, especially associated with the eyes. This can lead to secondary infections, pus production and the eyes being shut. The diet needs to be corrected in that the insects need to be gut loaded. Ophthalmic antibiotics and anti-inflammatories are recommended. A veterinary visit is needed for this. The veterinarian can review husbandry and diet, and recommend corrections. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I don't know if my pet has mouth rot or not, but there are bumps above his mouth, and it looks as if his face is sunken in. What can this be?
It is difficult to see clearly but it doesn't look like mouth rot. There may be some irritation which could be from "glass surfing" or from rubbing on cage furniture. Check the humidity level in the enclosure. It looks like Ryuu has a large amount of shed left. This may be due to a difficult shed or it may be early in the process. Either way, he should be soaked or misted to aid in shedding.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My baby bearded dragon keeps getting crusties all over his mouth. Is this mouth rot?
Look for redness, swelling, decreased appetite or excess salivation. The "crust" may be food crumbs, shed skin or substrate. A physical exam with your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet would be needed to definitively diagnose rot. In the meantime, make sure the enclosure is clean as poor husbandry can predispose a beardie to infection. High humidity can also promote bacterial or fungal overgrowth.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My leopard gecko Koopa has not been eating lately and I noticed a small scab in his...well, you know. He is usually a good eater, but has been drinking water as usual. I am very worried that this is his intestines, but I see no traces of blood. Thank
If you think it is a wound severe enough to expose intestine, Koopa should be seen immediately by your vet or an experienced herp veterinarian. A physical exam may diagnose injury, infection or a bad shed. It may also be a prolapse from the vent. These conditions cannot be diagnosed without an exam. Confirm proper temps in the enclosure. Soak him in a warm solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte daily for 15-20 minutes as long as he is not eating. keep him on paper towels or reptile carpet to keep the affected area clean. Loose substrate may stick to it and contaminate it further. If it is a bad shed, the soaks may loosen the skin/scab.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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