Crested Gecko Emergency Vet Guide: When to Go Immediately and How to Prepare

A same-day emergency visit is appropriate for open-mouth breathing, repeated falling or inability to climb, active bleeding, visible bone, severe burns, seizures, collapse, or a prolapse from the vent. Female geckos that are straining, weak, swollen in the abdomen, or not passing eggs when they appear distressed may also need urgent evaluation.

Go now if your gecko may have eaten a toxic substance, escaped and was stepped on, got stuck to glue or tape, was attacked by another pet, or became overheated. Reptiles can worsen quietly over 24 to 48 hours, so waiting to "see how they do" can raise risk.

Call your vet the same day for sunken eyes, sticky saliva, obvious dehydration, retained shed around toes or tail tip, new swelling, eye discharge, a sudden drop in appetite, or fast weight loss. These signs are not always a middle-of-the-night emergency, but they can become one if the gecko is weak, cold, or not drinking.

If your crested gecko is alert and stable, your vet may guide you on safe supportive steps during transport. That might include moving the gecko into a clean hospital-style setup with paper towels, stable temperatures, and higher humidity if shedding is part of the problem.

Use a small plastic carrier with air holes and a secure lid. Line the bottom with paper towels so your gecko has traction and can be monitored for blood, stool, or urates. Keep the container dark to reduce stress. In cool weather, warm the car first and place a wrapped heat source outside the container or under half of it so your gecko can move away from heat if needed.

Bring a short timeline: when signs started, last meal, last normal stool, any falls, recent shed, egg-laying history, supplements, and exact enclosure temperatures and humidity. Photos of the habitat and labels from bulbs, heaters, and diet products are especially useful in reptile medicine.

Do not pull on a prolapse, force-feed a weak gecko, peel off dry retained shed that is stuck tightly, or use human creams, pain medicines, or antiseptics unless your vet tells you to. Do not place a sick gecko directly on a heating pad or under intense heat. Overheating can be fatal.

If toxin exposure is possible, do not try to make your gecko vomit. Instead, save the packaging or substance name and call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control while you head in.

Your vet may start with a physical exam, temperature and hydration assessment, and a review of husbandry. Depending on the problem, care may include warmed fluids, oxygen support, pain control, radiographs, blood testing, wound care, calcium support, treatment for prolapse, or hospitalization for monitoring.

For some geckos, conservative care is enough. Others need imaging, sedation, or surgery. The right plan depends on how unstable the gecko is, what caused the emergency, and what options fit your goals and budget.

For a crested gecko, an emergency or after-hours exotic exam commonly starts around $120 to $250. A stable gecko needing an exam, basic supportive care, and one or two medications may fall around $180 to $450 total. If your vet recommends radiographs, bloodwork, fluids, sedation, or a procedure such as prolapse replacement, many cases land closer to $400 to $1,200.

More complex emergencies such as fracture repair, severe burns, egg-binding treatment, or surgery can reach $800 to $2,500+, especially with hospitalization. Costs vary by region, hospital type, and whether an exotic specialist is involved. Ask your vet for a written estimate with options.