Reptile & Amphibian Forums

back again, wish it was better news. Now that my guy is acclimated, I took him out some more and got the chance to take some pics so I could better see the extent of the problems. He's far too active to get a good look firsthand. Luckily he is VERY tame and didnt take my hand off when I pinned him down for these pics. Unfortunately they are not representative of all the problem areas, only what i could get good pics of. His underside is obviously in dire need to lose at least one layer of skin, probably two, and his rectum (pardon my lack of proper monitor anatomy terminology) shows signs as well, with loose skin flaps around it, tho thankfully not impeding or retaining any excrement. The pics are of his front claws, whereas the worst of the stuck sheds are on the rear claws, but I was unable to get a decent pic there. The rear claws do not show the same scale separation as the front thankfully. Again I've been soaking him daily and wetting (not just misting) his enclosure morning and night both. I'm afraid the prev. owner has let him go on too long but Im unsure how to proceed? I dont know any vets who would be able to tackle such an issue? He eats vigorously, has no problem with bowel movement, is bright and alert, and even very tame. I do realize this is on the cusp of something bad, however. Infections, lost digits, and worse. Any advice whatsoever would be very much appreciated, even if its just to tell me a good vet's name that you may have good past experiences with??

thanks again

-----
Chris
1.0.0 Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Columbian x Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Argentine Rainbow Boa
1?.1?.0 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor
0.1.0 Black Rough-neck monitor

it should be important to note that I have only been dealing with monitors for a few months, and while i've done my homework (read up on monitor care) my real life experience is very little. Especially considering this is a sub-adult, my familiarity becomes even less as my experience has been thus far limited to my juvi BT. Anyhow, here is a pic of his stomach as well, looking rather unhealthy??

-----
Chris
1.0.0 Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Columbian x Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Argentine Rainbow Boa
1?.1?.0 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor
0.1.0 Black Rough-neck monitor

The Small animal hospital at U.C.D is probably going to be your best bet at this point,there is also a exotic clinic in Roseville.
Stuck sheds can take a long time to get off but you are right to be concerened about the toes.
Soaking and raising the humidity will help but will take time.
About the venison, I would not recomend it, feed whole bodied prey items as just meat will provide inadequate sustanince.
Good luck
Ben

I'm not positive about monitor skin, but I know with chameleons this works. If you rub some mineral oil on the problem shed areas and wait a few hours, it helps break it down and turns into a mush like substance you can just scrape off. Again, with a large monitor it might be different, but it's worth a try. Do a test spot before you do everything. Also, if it does work, don't rely on this, as doing it repeatedly can actually dehydrate the monitor, however many people use it for problem sheds every once in awhile. It should work though. Good luck