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Desperate--bad shedding problem

aleaclay Apr 14, 2004 10:28 PM

Hello. This is a bit long...

I have a female leo that is currently being housed separately because she is underweight. I've got her eating again (bullying by big healthy geckos seems to have been the problem), but she's having shed problems.

Initially, the problem was retained shed on all four feet, her head, and her tail. Through a lot of patience, tweezers, and warm water, I managed to remove most of the retained shed. However, she still has retained shed on the toes of two feet and tail tip, and I can't get it off.

To make matters worse, she's now shedding again. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've tried (CAREFULLY, and on feet only) hydrogen peroxide, which worked to an extent, but I really need to remove the rest of the shed. I'd really appreciate any advice you have. Thanks.

Replies (5)

grimreaper Apr 14, 2004 10:31 PM

my blizzard always has probs with his toes, hes the only one out of 6 that are all kept in the same conditions. i fill up the sink with warm water. enough for him to soak up to his belly. i let him in the sink for bout 5 mins. then i use a Q-tip adn my fingers.
hope that helps
nevin
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1.1 brazilian rainbow baos-sunshine&chaos
1.1.1 leopard geckos-killer, narvana &sallean
1 blizzerd lizzard-grim
.1 bell leopard gecko-ecstacy
.1 tremper leopard gecko-euphoria
.2. amazon tree boas-sweetness&carnage
0.1.0 kenyan sand boa-stimpy R.I.P.
0.1.0 bearded dragon-blaze
1.0.0 uromastyx-chubby
2.0 brothers
0.2 sisters
3 cats-fat max, spiderman, &toby
1 miniture mutt-brutis

"dont be afraid to die, only be afraid to not live"

"dont become classified. if you are nothing, then you can be anything."

ByRandom Apr 14, 2004 10:32 PM

You can try 15-45 minute warm water soaks. Take some tupperware, fill it with enough luke warm water to touch the gecko's belly, and leave her in her cage on the warm side for about 30 minutes. Take her out, and see if you can gently roll the skin from the limbs and tail.
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Modern Geckos
Josh Ellis
My Email
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davecable Apr 14, 2004 10:38 PM

You could try using a dab of antibiotic ointment or surgilube on the unshed skin. Let it sit for a while, it will help loosen and soften the shed. I usually use a moist q-tip to help coax it off. Hope this helps,

DaveCable

>>Hello. This is a bit long...
>>
>>I have a female leo that is currently being housed separately because she is underweight. I've got her eating again (bullying by big healthy geckos seems to have been the problem), but she's having shed problems.
>>
>>Initially, the problem was retained shed on all four feet, her head, and her tail. Through a lot of patience, tweezers, and warm water, I managed to remove most of the retained shed. However, she still has retained shed on the toes of two feet and tail tip, and I can't get it off.
>>
>>To make matters worse, she's now shedding again. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've tried (CAREFULLY, and on feet only) hydrogen peroxide, which worked to an extent, but I really need to remove the rest of the shed. I'd really appreciate any advice you have. Thanks.

GoldenGateGeckos Apr 14, 2004 10:38 PM

Do you have any Bag Balm? It comes in a square can with clover all over it and a cow on top... you can get it about anywhere these days. It is designed for dry, chapped cow's udders, but it works great for bad sheds (not to mention cuticles, chapped lips, elbows, and crakced heels). If not, then use some mineral oil to try to get the adhered skin softened, then try to work at it a little at a time.
-----
Marcia McGuiness
Golden Gate Geckos
www.goldengategeckos.com

aleaclay Apr 15, 2004 12:25 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried the antibiotic ointment, but will definitely attempt the longer soak in the cage and the mineral oil. My question is, am I putting her at any risk by attempting to loosen the old shed while she is shedding?

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