Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My adult female leo has went through a shed 2 days ago and left patches of skin on her hind toes/feet and underside of her tail.

I have soaked w/warm water, tweezered, and cotton-swabbed w/eye lubricant and have removed some skin, but for the life of me, I can't get the skin on her toes loose. And I don't even want to attempt messing w/her tail.

Anybody have any other advice on how to loosen skin? I am very worried that she may lose digits & tail. I am trying to make an appointment w/the vet today...

Thanks

All I can recommend is that you fill up a deli cup or similar container with about 1 1/2 inches of water. Take a couple of paper towels and fold them up, then put them in the deli cup. The paper towel needs to be really, really wet. Leave the gecko in the cup for several hours. Remove it and carefully try sliding the stuck skin off the toes. If it does not start to come off pretty easily after doing this, chances are it may not come off, and she may lose a couple of toe tips unfortunatly. Perhaps someone else has a better suggestion, but the above has always worked for me.

Good luck.
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Peace-
Kelli Hammack
H.I.S.S.
email me

I am sure you already know this but make sure there are airholes in the deli cup or whatever container you put her in. Just wanted to clarify that!
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Peace-
Kelli Hammack
H.I.S.S.
email me

I will definitely get a fecal done. BUT will taking my leo in to the vet's office help her in this "skin shed" situation? Is there much more a vet can do in this situation other than just tell me to soak her?

>>I will definitely get a fecal done. BUT will taking my leo in to the vet's office help her in this "skin shed" situation? Is there much more a vet can do in this situation other than just tell me to soak her?

I doubt they could do much more. You can just ask your vet if there is any sort of over-the-counter stuff you could add to the water [when soaking] to help the skin come off.

If the skin has only been on there for a couple of days, 5-10 minutes ought to do it. Don't just soak her in water though; you have to put her in a sealed container with the warm water inside. It's the humidity that will soften the skin more than the actual soaking. For toes, just gently use your fingertips to roll the skin off.
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chickabowwow

3.2.3 leopard geckos (Rosie, Locke, Lisa, Caesar, Tommy)