Evidence: Leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) clinical cases
Source: Europe PMC (Europe PubMed Central) REST search — first-hand peer-reviewed abstract records, pulled 2026-08-01. Queries covered clinical case reports and case series for Eublepharis macularius. The cluster returns 6 representative clinical cases with abstracts below. Abstract text is verbatim from source; each case is traceable by PMID.
Studies
- PMID 41852150 (2026, Journal of anatomy) — *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Comparing three developmental timetables—absolute days, embryonic size, and developmental stage—for ordering cranial ossification events in leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) embryos, the authors found that staging by developmental stage gave the least variability and the finest resolution, outperforming day- and size-based ordering. They also achieved better cranial-mineralization resolution for this species than previously reported for geckos generally, especially when specimens were ordered by stage; the excerpt is cut off before details of embryo subdivision.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41852150/
- PMID 40755204 (2025, Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association) — *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* A 17-year-old intact male leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) presented with lethargy, abdominal distension, and rapid weight loss; ultrasound revealed a 19×14×14 mm pericardial mass with substantial effusion causing cardiac tamponade and suspected right-sided congestive heart failure. Postmortem examination and histopathology confirmed pericardial mesothelioma with hemopericardium and pericardial adhesion. The authors report this as the first case with antemortem treatment and postmortem definitive diagnosis of pericardial mesothelioma in a leopard gecko.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40755204/
- PMID 40987466 (2025, Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science : JAALAS) — *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* A case series of four adult leopard geckos (Eublepharus macularius), including lemon-frost morphs predisposed to iridophoroma via a tumor-suppressor mutation also linked to human melanoma, described signs of hyporexia, lethargy, weight loss, submandibular masses, and oral plaques, with ultrasound showing hepatic nodules and fine-needle aspiration revealing granular mesenchymal cells. Necropsy and histopathology confirmed malignant iridophoroma with metastasis to brain, ovary, and other viscera; both females also developed preovulatory follicular stasis. The excerpt is cut off before the full complication list.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40987466/
- PMID 39876039 (2025, Journal of dental research) — Molecular Profiling of Odontoclasts during Physiological Tooth Replacement.. Abstract (opening): The odontoclast is a rarely studied cell type that is overly active in many dental pathologies, leading to tooth loss. It is difficult to find diphyodont mammals in which either physiological or pathological root resorption can be studied. Here we use the adult leopard gecko, which has repeated cycles of physiological tooth resorption and shedding. RNA-seq was carried out to compare gene expression profiles of functional teeth to developing teeth. Genes more highly expressed in bell-stage developing teeth were related to morphogenesis (<i>PTHLH</i>, <i>SFRP2</i>, <i>SHH</i>, <i>EDAR</i>). Some genes expressed in osteoclasts (<i>ACP5</i>, <i>CTSK</i>, <i>CSF1R</i>) were relatively more abundant in functional teeth compared with developing teeth. There was, however, no differential expression of RANKL (<i>TNFSF11</i>) in the 2 tooth types. In addition, functional teeth expressed proteolysis genes not found in osteoclasts (<i>ADAMTS2</i>, <i>3</i>, <i>4</i>, <i>14; CTSA</i>, <i>CTSH</i>, <i>CTSS</i>). We used tartrate acid resistant phosphatase and cathepsin K (CTSK) staining to identify odontoclasts in and around the gecko dentition. There were 3 populations of CTSK cells: (1) large, functional multinucleated odontoclasts in the crown of the tooth with a ruffled border inside resorption pits; (2) smaller, precursor cells in the pulp with fewer nuclei; and (3) flattened external precursor cells next to the root and bone of attachment. We found a positive relationship between developing teeth and the population of CTSK+ cells on the root surface. We tested a candidate signal that may be involved in CTSK+ cell presence. An antagonist of CSF1R was delivered to developing teeth in vivo, which resulted in a significant decrease in <i>CTSK</i> and <i>CSF1R</i> compared with DMSO controls. Thus, the CSF1 signaling pathway is upstream of CTSK in teeth. This is the first work to detail the molecular characteristics of odontoclasts during physiological tooth shedding and to demonstrate that in vivo, local drug delivery is possible in the gecko model. *[CC BY — Open Access, verbatim with attribution.]*
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39876039/
- PMID 37981904 (2023, Veterinarni medicina) — Malignant ovarian dysgerminoma in a 16-year-old leopard gecko (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>).. Abstract (opening): The 16-year-old female leopard gecko (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>) was presented with distended coelom and cachexia. Examination of the faecal sample ruled out the presence of protozoan parasites. A radiographic examination confirmed the presence of radiopaque foreign material in the intestine. The conservative treatment with tramadol, butylscopolamine, famotidine, vitamin B complex, and supportive fluid therapy with Hartmann solution and Duphalyte, was performed for 14 days. Ultrasonographic examination revealed the presence of a large mass adherent to the liver (with hypoechoic regions), a thin-walled cystic structure close to the liver, and coelomic effusion. Surgical exploration revealed a large mass on the right ovary. The unilateral (right) ovariectomy was performed. Histologic examination of the mass revealed dysgerminoma with an invasion of the ovarian bursa and blood vessels. Nine months after the surgery the patient was active and doing well. In reptiles, dysgerminoma is an uncommon type of neoplasia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of dysgerminoma tumour diagnosed intravitally and treated successfully in lizards. *[CC BY — Open Access, verbatim with attribution.]*
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37981904/
- PMID 36899783 (2023, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI) — Egg Removal via Cloacoscopy in Three Dystocic Leopard Geckos (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>).. Abstract (opening): Dystocia is a multifactorial, life-threatening condition commonly affecting pet reptiles. Treatment for dystocia can be either medical or surgical. Medical treatment usually involves the administration of oxytocin, but in some species or, in some cases, this treatment does not work as expected. Surgical treatments such as ovariectomy or ovariosalpingectomy are resolutive, but invasive in small-sized reptiles. In this paper, we describe three cases of post ovulatory egg retention in three leopard geckos (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>) successfully treated through a cloacoscopic removal of the retained eggs, after a non resolutive medical treatment. The intervention was fast, non-invasive, and no procedure-related adverse effects were noted. The problem relapsed six months later in one animal, and a successful bilateral ovariosalpingectomy was performed. Cloacoscopy should be considered a valuable, non-invasive tool for egg removal in dystocic leopard geckos when the egg is accessible to manipulation. Recrudescence or complications such as adhesions, oviductal rupture, or the presence of ectopic eggs should recommend surgical intervention. *[CC BY — Open Access, verbatim with attribution.]*
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36899783/
Source text: pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_leopard_gecko_clinical_2026-08-01.txt (Europe PMC first-hand abstracts, pulled 2026-08-01).
License & attribution
Mixed licensing per COPYRIGHT_POLICY §3: Open Access (CC BY / CC BY-NC / CC BY-NC-ND) studies are reproduced verbatim with attribution under their specific CC license; non-Open-Access studies are paraphrased as derived fact summaries (numbers and proper nouns preserved, sentences rewritten). Original records:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41852150/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40755204/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40987466/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39876039/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37981904/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36899783/
Cleaning removal log (2026-08-05, codebuddy)
PMID 41749246 — Tegu (Salvator merianae) iridophoroma — different species PMID 41600686 — Reptile dystocia review; generic, no leopard gecko PMID 41150105 — Blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides) vitamin D/UVB — different species PMID 39633402 — Inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) dysgerminoma — different species PMID 39339972 — Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) cryptosporidiosis — different species PMID 35324843 — Chromatophoromas in reptiles review; generic, no leopard gecko named