Reptile & Amphibian Forums

both of my babies are having shed problems. her head hasnt shed and one leg and the toes of two legs. shes had a humid hide, kept moist, and all that, but still this problem. she shed again and the skin didnt come off her head AGAIN... her one eye is pushed closed, and her leg doesnt looke like it will be able to handle that old skin much longer. many times have i tried rubbing the skin off with my fingers and a paper towel, and it didnt work. im starting to get concerned. any thoughts? dave
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"i have a mortal wound!"
"where? where does it hurt?"
"oh, pretty much around the big bloody spot"
"come inside. ill get the neosporin. da na na na na - NEO! ba na na na na na na - SPORIN! blee nee nee......."

ive NEVER had this problem with their parents, one of which ive had since she was a hatchling. i need more than 'just give her a humid hide" thanks..
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"i have a mortal wound!"
"where? where does it hurt?"
"oh, pretty much around the big bloody spot"
"come inside. ill get the neosporin. da na na na na - NEO! ba na na na na na na - SPORIN! blee nee nee......."

What exactly do you have as your moist hide? I'd suggest using a vermiculite filled hide, a simple tupperware container with a hole in the side will hold moisture in for days. Are they drinking well? I've had more success using a slightly deep dish with an airstone so the water is constantly in motion to inhibit their water intake.
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Ten million dollars on a losing campaign, Twenty million starving and writhing in pain, Big strong people unwilling to give, strong in vision and perspective, One in five kids below the poverty line, One population running out of time...

1.1.0 Ball Pythons
0.0.1 Gray Banded Kingsnake
1.6.0 Leopard Geckos
1.0.0 Veiled Chameleon
1.0.0 Viper Gecko
1.1.0 Pictus Geckos
0.0.1 Colombian Tegu
1.1.0 Collared Lizards
1.1.0 Blue Tongued Skinks
1.0.1 Tokay Geckos
1.3.0 Crested Geckos
1.0.0 Red Tailed Boa
0.0.1 Yellow Phase Green Tree Python
1.1.0 Bearded Dragons

Always make sure that your hatchlings are always hydrated. Keep their water dishes constantly filled with fresh water every day.

Also for a humid hide, I just use a ziploc container. Tha plastic is very soft and it holds moisture well. I also spray my humid hides every day, and the substrate that I use are paper towels.

Another thing you could do when they are shedding is to mist their entire box. This will create lots of humidity and help the hatchling to remove its shed and also keep it hydrated.

If all else fails, try this....

I keep a bottle of this on hadn all the time. I have a few adults who are terrible shedders and need help all the time. I will spray from head to toe...avoiding eyes TROPICAL MIST. Its a botanical humidifying spray with aloe vera skin conditioners, and helps eliminate shedding problems.
It does work, but if they still have problems you have to help them.

You can buy this bottle at www.thatpetplace.com Great place!
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Shayna
www.LeoLoversLizardLounge.com

Hi dave,

I have found that hatchlings tend to have more problems shedding, when compared to adults. So even if the parents shed fine, it doesn’t mean your hatchlings will be good at the process.

It sounds like you have the humid hide taken care of. I would suggest that you place it on the warm side of the cage for hatchlings. If you have the two hatchlings together in the same cage I would separate them, because they might be causing each other undue stress.

It is very important that you remove the unshed skin. It can cut off circulation, and cause problems down the road. If you cannot do it yourself, you will need to visit a vet. Here is how I have dealt with unshed skin in the past: Take a q-tip and put some anti-biotic ointment on it. Then dab the unshed skin with the q-tip and return the gecko to their cage to run around or hide for about 15-30 minutes. The ointment helps to loosen and soften the skin, kind of like when you put it on a scab. After you have waited a while, take the gecko out again and try to rub the unshed skin off with the clean (no anti-biotic) end of the q-tip. I understand hatchlings are a handful and very uncooperative, but I’m sure you can do it if you are patient and very careful. Again, if you are uncomfortable with this process, a vet visit is your best bet. Hope this helps, and good luck.

DaveCable