Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,
My 4 year old egyptian uro Dog started shedding about 2-3 weeks ago and since then he hasn't eaten that much and is looking thinner now. (he even passed up his green beans!)
I keep him in a 4 X 2 X 2 vision with basking temp at about 115 and cool side between 75-80. I gave him a nice soak today hoping it would aid in his shedding.
I read a post below about humid hides. He doesn't have one currently and I'm going to put one in tomorrow.
Any advice? He hasn't touched his food in the last couple of days. He basks everyday and is active and alert when I take him out.
I'm a little worried about his health. This all started once he began shedding.
Thanks, in advance,
Tristan

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Tristan
1.1 Blood Pythons (Rambo and Medussa)
1.2 Egyptian Uromastyx (Dog, Cleo, Slo Mo)
0.1 Suriname Red Tail Boas (Stoney)

Shedding is a stressful time for our uros, and many go off feed or are just cranky. My one ornate is not his friendly self when he is shedding and will even tail whip me, which he never does. It seems that Dog was in a good healthy weight prior to shedding, so if he otherwise remains active I would not concern myself immediately. Just keep a close eye on him for too dramatic a weight loss. The shedding process is a slow one, so you will just have to be patient. Good luck with him.

Pam
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1.1.3 varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Dorado, Dora, Oro, Freckles & Amarillo)
1.1 varanus acanthurus acanthurus (Tabasco & Sprite)
1.0 varanus storri (Spunky)
2.2 u. macfadyeni (Amani, Kamaria, Abeba & Kibibi) RIP Ayana
1.2 u. ornata (Husani, Zari, & Bintu)
1.1 u. ocellata (Zuhri & Ashai)
0.0.1 pogona vitticeps (Bondi)
1.1 hyla chrysoscelis (Pudge & Squirt)

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Tristan
1.1 Blood Pythons (Rambo and Medussa)
1.2 Egyptian Uromastyx (Dog, Cleo, Slo Mo)
0.1 Suriname Red Tail Boas (Stoney)

Hey Tristan-
I not sure the shedding process can be stressfull.
I would say on the average mine tend to eat right through it.
That said, when my Egyptian Grover got symptoms of potential problems he was in shed.
I am not sure if hunger strikes are common with Uros but they occasionally will go off food. If there is tremendous weight loss or even if there is loss to be concerned about get Dog checked. The animals will not show weakness until the situation is very serious. Try some of the treat foods like bright colored flowers, peas, mealworms, frozen vegs... If there is no concern for the food, bring Dog to your vet.
Better to be safe. Hope it turns out to be just a passing issue. Keep us posted.
Ed

Ed's right in the sense that some uros' eating habbits may not be effected by shedding.

However, all my uros have always taken a break from eating to some extent while in shed. They will sometimes even show visible signs of some weight loss. The weight loss helps to "get out of" their skin easier as well as being a bit uncomfortable (so I've read). I don't soak my uros, but I would tend to think that soaking while in shed may hold unwanted moisture against the uro's skin, by means of the outer skin retaining moisture. Also, I don't have humid hides as I would bet that most do not.

The key is that he's still active and other daily habbits are normal. Once it's almost all off, he'll be back to eating.

-Jim
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)