Lizards

Metabolic bone disease

SignsSoft, deformed jaw, tremors or seizures in the limbs, bent spine or tail, unable to walk

PreventionDust every feeding with calcium powder. For diurnal species, provide UVB light and replace the bulb every six months

Retained shed (dysecdysis)

SignsOld skin left on toes, tail tip or eyelids; toes turn black and thin; eyes will not open

PreventionKeep humidity suited to the species. Provide a permanent wet hide. Check the toes after every shed

Intestinal impaction (ingestion)

SignsNo droppings, swollen belly, loss of appetite, wobbly hind legs, regurgitation

PreventionAvoid fine sand or gravel substrate; use paper towel or tile. Feed from a dish

Cryptosporidium

SignsIn leopard geckos: chronic diarrhea, rapid weight loss, tail as thin as a stick, regurgitation

PreventionQuarantine new animals in a separate room and have feces tested. Wash equipment separately for each animal

Mouth rot (stomatitis)

SignsYellow-white cheesy pus around the mouth, mouth will not close, drooling, reduced appetite

PreventionKeep correct temperatures to avoid weakening immunity. If it bumps its mouth on cage corners, review the setup

Egg binding (dystocia)

SignsFemale fails to lay and belly keeps swelling, loss of appetite, straining without moving, limp

PreventionProvide a lay box (container of moist soil). Boost calcium and heat during laying season

Thermal burn (heater)

PreventionKeep heat mats under no more than half the floor. Fit mesh guards on lights and mount them out of reach

First aidWhite or black discoloration on the belly or back means a burn. Do not cool; cover with clean gauze and see a vet the same day

Tail autotomy (dropped tail)

PreventionNever grab the tail. Support the body from below with both hands. Avoid cohabitation and mixed species

First aidBleeding is slight and stops on its own. Switch substrate to paper towel and keep clean. See a vet if it festers

Toe necrosis

PreventionAfter every shed, check for skin left on the toes. Do not leave low humidity unaddressed

First aidSoften retained skin in a warm soak and remove gently with a cotton swab. If it has turned black, see a vet

Fracture from a fall

PreventionHandle while sitting near the floor. Angle high branches in the cage so they are easy to climb up and down

First aidDo not move it; transfer to a small container and keep warm. If a limb is deformed or it cannot move, see a vet the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteOral, via hands or equipment that touched feces, skin or tank water

PreventionWash hands with soap after handling. Do not wash equipment in the kitchen. Children under 5 and the elderly should limit contact

Mites (reptile mites)

RouteFrom the animal's skin or cage to human skin

PreventionQuarantine new animals. Check for black dots along skin folds and armpits; see a vet if found

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with infected animals or dirty equipment

PreventionDo not handle animals with skin lesions bare-handed. Wear gloves and wash hands

Amoebiasis

RouteOral, from hands soiled with feces

PreventionAlways wash hands after cleaning the cage. Do not eat or drink while cleaning

Food

• Leopard gecko: crickets, dubia roaches, etc. 2–3 times a week
• Bearded dragon: juveniles mostly insects, adults mostly vegetables
• Dust every feeding with calcium powder. Vitamins once a week

Water

• Keep a shallow water dish and change it daily
• For crested geckos etc., mist so they drink droplets off the walls

Toys & play

• Climbable driftwood and cork bark
• Live prey to chase
• Short supervised exploration outside the cage

Nest, bed & hideout

• One hide each on the warm side and the cool side
• A wet hide filled with moist sphagnum moss

Bedding & litter

• Paper towel or pet pads are safe
• Fine sand, gravel and walnut shell risk ingestion
• Remove droppings daily; replace all substrate weekly

Cage / housing material

Front-opening glass or acrylic reptile enclosure

Size & space

Leopard gecko at least 45 cm wide, bearded dragon at least 90 cm wide

Layout

• Heater and basking light on one side
• Keep the other side cool, with water dish and hide
• For diurnal species, shine UVB on top of a climbing branch

Placement notes

• Windowsills in direct sun overheat and are dangerous
• Keep away from vibration, loud TVs and other pets

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Handle 10–15 minutes per session; avoid right after feeding
• When out in the room, isolate other pets and never look away
• No outdoor walks needed. Even for sunbathing, beware of escape and crows

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureWarm side 30–35°C, cool side 24–27°C, nights 20°C or above

HumidityLeopard gecko 40–60%, crested gecko 60–80% (higher inside the hide)

Summer & winter

• Summer: use air conditioning if room temperature exceeds 28°C. Measure the actual cage temperature
• Winter: heat bulb or heat mat with a thermostat is essential

Nail trimming

Wear down naturally on driftwood and rocks. If overgrown and snagging, trim only the tips with small-animal nail clippers

Brushing, skin & coat care

Shed care: remove retained skin with a cotton swab after a warm soak. Check eyelids, toes and tail tip every time

Other care

Weigh and record monthly. Check for dirt around the mouth and vent. Warm soaks about 10 minutes at 30°C

Protection from predators

• Keep dogs and cats out of the room. Use a locking cage
• Do not take outdoors; crows and cats will attack
• Supervise so small children do not squeeze hard

Foreign-body ingestion

Easily swallows fine substrate, cricket legs and pebbles. Feed from a dish and check belly swelling and droppings daily. See a vet if constipation persists

Being stepped on

When out in the room, set a walking route and tell the whole family. It blends into the floor, so always watch your feet

Getting pinched

Tails and toes easily get caught in the edge of front-opening doors. Check the animal's position before closing. Secure heavy rocks in the cage

Falls

Never handle on a tabletop. Sit on the floor, at a height where a startled jump cannot cause a fall. After a fall, watch how it walks

Escape

Forgetting to close the door is the top cause. If it escapes, search behind warm appliances, curtains and under the sofa; lure it with a warmed hide and food

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and calm; do not lift the bitten side
2. Drip water on the animal's mouth or dip it in lukewarm water
3. Slide a thin card into the gap at the back of the mouth and gently release
4. Once released, return the animal to its cage and darken it to rest

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water for 5 minutes and disinfect. Salmonella is a risk, so see a doctor for deep wounds or swelling

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Species, age, temperature and humidity settings, type of lighting, diet, photos of droppings, weight history. Photos of the cage are also useful

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Response to stimulus: lightly pinch a toe, watch eyelid movement
• Breathing: rise and fall of the flanks, about once every few seconds when healthy
• A cold body is normal for an ectotherm. Check the tongue color

Stopping bleeding

• Press lightly with clean gauze for 5 minutes
• A dropped tail bleeds little and stops. Do not press too hard
• Bleeding that will not stop or bleeding from the nail base: see a vet

Transport

• Line a ventilated plastic carrier with paper towel
• Wrap the hand warmer in a towel so it cannot touch the animal; keep dark while traveling