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I recently got a leopard gecko and I noticed last night that she isn't eating and her tail is getting smaller. She's not even a year old. I got her in April.

I recently got a leopard gecko and I noticed last night that she isn't eating and her tail is getting smaller. She's not even a year old. I got her in April.

Updated On September 8th, 2017

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Answered By Rebeccah Wood

Licensed Veterinary Technician, Registered Laboratory Animal Technologist

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There are a few things that can cause anorexia and a small tail in leopard geckos, but one concerning and common cause is called stick tail disease. This disease is caused by a parasite called cryptosporidium, and can cause wasting and death in geckos without treatment. I highly recommend that you bring Rufus to a herp vet as soon as you can to determine a diagnosis and treatment plan. Cryptosporidium can't be cured, but it can be managed with medication. There is a vet in Dallas that sees reptiles - here is the information in case you don't have a regular herp vet: Summertree Animal and Bird Clinic 12300 Inwood Rd #102, Dallas, TX 75244 (972) 387-4168 The vet will probably collect a stool sample from Rufus as the crypto parasite lives in the intestines. They may also recommend bloodwork to check for other conditions as well. Good luck, and I hope that Rufus recovers!

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