Another common problem among leopard geckos aside from leopard gecko shedding problems is mouth rot. Leopard gecko mouth rot is also termed as stomatitis. It is a bacterial infection that can affect both the mouth and gums of a leopard gecko. Symptoms include bleeding gums, loss of appetite, blackening of the teeth, swollen mouth, and a cheesy, yellowish buildup between the teeth. A healthy leopard gecko must not develop this disease. It is generally caused by dirty living conditions and low temperatures. It is very painful for the reptile and can be fatal if it will not be treated by a veterinarian as quickly as possible.

Cause

Mostly mouth rot is developed in reptiles because of stress. Stress weakens the immune system of leopard geckos and thus makes them vulnerable to infection. Improper temperature, lighting, parasite infestation, and improper handling are the most common cause of stress in leopard geckos. Improper diet specifically vitamin C deficiency is also known to cause mouth rot among leopard geckos.

Signs

The early stage of mouth rots causes mouth swelling and increase salivation. As the condition worsens, the swelling in the mouth increases until such time that the gums will begin to bleed. If the swelling will not be addressed, it may even get worst that the leo will not be able to close his mouth anymore. If the primary cause of the mouth rot is bacteria it may even get worst that it will affect the lungs of your reptile and lead to pneumonia.

Diagnosis

It is very important that the veterinarian will be able to identify the causative agent of the problem. A biopsy or a mouth swab is required for accurate diagnosis. And because there are specific stains of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotic, any prescribed medication may not treat the problem.

Treatment

Good thing about this illness is that it is treatable and it is quite easy to cure. What must be done first is to remove the pus from the mouth. You may also need to provide certain food, fluid and vitamins. The infection should then be treated by a specific antibiotic. However, there are cases when the mouth rot has gone worst and could be hard to treat. In order to repair the problem, your leopard gecko may require undergoing a surgery.