Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, it has been awhile since I've posted. My 7 yr old mali has been doing great right up until the last two weeks. He went through a shed that progressed fine, until I realized the middle of his tail wasn't shedding properly. I misted him multiple times thinking that would move things along, and picked at it a little but it's coming off in little tiny pieces - REALLY tiny.

I got moss for him today (the petstore green variety) and made him a shed box. I hope I did it right. I got a tuperware contained about 12 inches long and 6-8" wide. I cut a square entrance in the front so he could enter it easily. I then filled it with soaked moss. He, of course, refuses to enter it as he's never seen it in his life and has had the same sleeping cave for many years. I even gently put him in there and he stayed for all of about a minute.

I took his other caves out, but I'm going to go put them back in a second because he's sleeping where his snooze cave is. I don't want to stress him out...I was hoping in the absence of his reg hide spot, he'd go in the shed box.

Any other suggestions? Like I said, first time in 7 years he's had this problem. Nothing has changed in the way of his care or diet.

Thanks
-----
1.0.0 Thoroughbred
0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 Crested Geckos
1.2.0 German Shepherds
1.2.0 Cats
0.1.1 Birds (Conure and Cockatiel)
1.1.0 Rabbits
0.0.2 Yellow bellied sliders
3 Fish tanks (SW and FW)

Hmmm, don't know to what extent it the problem, if any, has progessed to, but all my uros shed the tail last and sometimes it takes a while. Even when their eating gets back to normal, usually the tail still hasn't completely shed.
-----


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

I gave him a warm water soak last night after posting and it seemed to help a little. A couple chunks of the shed came off and the rest loosened up a little.

Hopefully a couple more soaks and he'll be back to normal. Does this case him any danger? Can it cut off circulation like it can a gecko's toes?
-----
1.0.0 Thoroughbred
0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 Crested Geckos
1.2.0 German Shepherds
1.2.0 Cats
0.1.1 Birds (Conure and Cockatiel)
1.1.0 Rabbits
0.0.2 Yellow bellied sliders
3 Fish tanks (SW and FW)

It really doesn't cause them much of an issue, worst case is that it can lead to tail rot, if water gets trapped under the unshed skin. With Uros, as long as you catch it in time, this just means they lose the very tips of their spikes.

You can try a little mineral oil on the unshed area, I have never tried it but it seems to be recommended regularly on the forum. Just put a couple drops on the skin. My uros usually don't shed their tails all the way for weeks after their bodies. So I wouldn't worry about it too much, though with all the humidity and soaking, it may be good to try to get it off now. In the future though, I wouldn't worry about it until it stays for at least a month.

Good Job being such a conscientious mom though! Your Uro is very lucky to have you!

Elizabeth
-----
1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes (May he rest in peace)
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine (RIP)
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin