Description
The popularity of owning reptiles as pets is a steadily increasing one, with a huge variety of different species becoming readily available. Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are the second of the most commonly owned pet reptile that are presented in veterinary practice, with an extensive range of genetic skin colour variations being available to own (Boyer et al, 2013). Leopard geckos are routinely presented to veterinary surgeons with a myriad of conditions, most often as a result of environmental deficiencies; therefore general knowledge of the correct husbandry conditions, specific to that species is essential when seeing these reptiles in practice (Rowland, 2016). This article will provide a basic run though of the correct care for this species, including heating, lighting, housing and dietary requirements, as well as a review of the common conditions seen in this species and discussion of the common presentations, diagnostics and treatments required for each condition.
Learning Objectives
· Poor environmental care is one of the main reasons leopard geckos will get sick, and therefore the basics of their care should be known to the treating veterinary surgeon.
· Poor environmental conditions and hypovitaminosis A are associated with shedding issues.
· Swift surgical intervention for female reproductive disease yields a more favourable prognosis.
· Parasites are common; treatment depends on type of parasite diagnosed.
· Gastrointestinal obstructions occur on loose substrates and have an increased incidence when environmental conditions are poor.
· Autotomy is natural defence mechanism that can be utilised when perform tail amputations.
