Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ripper (my new-ish male) had to have a toe amputated today. When I got him he had a slight constriction around it from an imcomplete shed. During his 2 sheds with me the constriction has gotten worse. This despite 70% humidity in his enclosure, soaks during sheds, and me removing all skin from the toe. A few short days after his last shed the problem had reached the point of no return and I made him a vet appointment for the amputation.

This guy came to me with other toes and partial toes missing. He regularly requires assistance getting skin off his toes, tail, and head. King, the female that I've had for several years, has no problems at all shedding.

Ripper is parasite free, well-fed and to all appearances healthy. Any ideas on why he's such a bad shedder and what else I can do to help him? He's now missing toes, or parts of toes on 3 feet. He really can't afford to lose any more, and I'd like to spare him the continued stress of having me peel him every month when he sheds.

Pictures of him, his toes, and his enclosure may be found here:
http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=zetekitoxin&AID=1023106

I'd love to hear suggestions that anyone may have.

-Z

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Hi Z,

A problem shed in addition to a low humidity factor, could be a health related issue. I'm sure a woman of your respectable intelligence has already pondered that possibility. I can say if you can bear it, You can do the amputation yourself (I hope though you won't have to cross this bridge again). I had to before and with Neosporin treatment- presented no complications.
Did it pain me to do the severing?-BIG TIME!!! If you need any further communication to figure out how to correct your situation, Please feel free to contact me. I can't promise you a definative answer, but I would be most happy to try.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCHN CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

The Suggestion for using Vitamin-E oil is a good one and I would have suggested it but I was more concerned on the cause of the restriction in the first place. In other words, at this point I am more concerned with prevention rather than the cure. It is not to take anything away from the other post. Good advice is always welcome.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

You're right, I could do the amputation myself. I even considered it. The "gross factor" isn't really an issue for me, but the pain factor is. He still had feeling in the end of the toe, so I chose the vet route because she has access to injectable lidocaine, while I do not. So Ripper didn't feel a darn thing, which made both of us happy. The vet also gave me Baytril injections to administer to him, which I would have had to go pick up from her anyway if I did the amputating myself. So in the long run the minor added expense of having the vet do it seemed well worth it to me.

As for the rest - I have been considering illnesses. He's had 2 clean fecals within the last 3 months, and other than the shedding issues shows no signs of illness. He's a healthy eater and is as active as I would expect him to be. It's possible that his diet wasn't as healthy as it could have been before he came to me, so I've decided to give him some time, try to increase the humidity even more right before sheds (it's at 70% now), and see if I get different results. If that fails for the next 2 or 3 sheds I'll start looking at blood work.

In the meantime I'll just be doing my best to protect his remaining toes.

-Z

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Good Morning Z,

Looks like you've got it covered. I just thought I'd touch base with you to see how your Corucia is faring.

My best wishes go out to you.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

Well...have you tried vitamin E oil? People in the king snake world have said it works great. I myself have never used it on my kings or my blue tongue. But they always recommend it on the kingsnake forum when someone posts about their king’s shedding problems. Just use the vitamin E oil on the areas that need help and the skin should become soft enough to peal off easily.

Thanks. It's a good idea, and one I may try on his next shed. I'm just hoping that I won't have to assist him every time he sheds.

-Z