Why did my gecko die?

[Munchie1]

She was not old and we had her for several years and seemed healthy and happy. Good appetite and personable. Ample living space.

Diet of crickets with calcium powder.

Upon inspection of her belly post morgen her toes and belly were particularly pink with reddish armpits. Where her heart should be she had a noticeable black spot.

Her eyes were closed and looked like she was peacefully sleeping. There are still live crickets in her cage

We would like some closure and any information would be very much appreciated

Thank you,

 

[grboxa]

Im sorry for the loss of your gecko. I'm no expert, but there was a thread before where a user like you posted about a unexpected death of a leopard gecko. A member here mentioned that leos can suffer from stroke unexpectedly which may of been a possibility...assuming your husbandry is 100 percent correct. Others will chime in. What did you dust with and how often?. For extra measures, you can fill out the health information questionnaire which is a sticky note in this section of the forum so users who post can have an idea of your husbandry.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I'm so sorry your geckos died unexpectedly like that. Unfortunatley it happens sometimes, and without a full post-mortem examination you may never know the reason. Keep in mind that when a living creature dies, all the blood in their body settles to the bottom by gravity. This could be what you saw with the dark area on the abdomen, or she could have had an organ or vessel rupture and bled out. Rest in peace beloved gecko...

 

[Jusselin]

sorry for your loss.

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

Sorry for your loss. Without doing a necropsy you will never be able to have a true COD. Last week we had a 7 year old gecko die for no apparent reason. Did a necropsy and found nothing, took blood into work and she had signs of liver failure. Still no positive COD even with necropsy. If the gecko was "healthy" (to the best of your knowledge) then it most likely was from natural causes and not preventable or even detectable without blood work being done. Reptiles are masters at hiding pain or discomfort so often times when a problem presents itself, its too late.

 

[Dimidiata]

Give us some more info on setup, calcium brands and multivitamins, temps, eating scheduale, cleaning regime, weight, substrate and heating method.

 

[Imperial Geckos]

Sorry to hear about your gecko...

Give us some more info on setup, calcium brands and multivitamins, temps, eating scheduale, cleaning regime, weight, substrate and heating method.

I don't think thats necessary. As stated before, without a Necropsy actual cause of death can not be known. Unless the gecko was COOKED to death by a heating element, most of that information you asked for is useless.

 

[Dimidiata]

How so, the gecko could be on sand and could have been impacted, or the heat could have to high or low, its better to know so propper info can be given to avoid death if possible in the next pet gecko (be there one).

 

[grboxa]

I also notice that you mentioned there were live crickets in the cage. Try and remove any uneaten crickets 30 minutes after they begin feeding if you dont already, and if you prefer to leave them in over night put a piece of vegetable in the tank over night so the crickets feed off that and can minimize the stress they may cause to your gecko... if you dont already do so.:main_thumbsup: