Leopard gecko shedding..... is it ok????

[roach dude]

Hey my new loepard gecko has just started shedding and im not sure weather its doing it right??? Im also not sure what i should do if it has gone wrong, please comment these pics!

 

[OldHag]

That is sort of weird that its head isnt shed when the rest of it is. I would put it in a moist hide/tub then peel it off, being careful with the eyelids. Maybe put a rock or something in there so it can rub itself. All I can think of is that you need to have a place (butter tub or something with moist papertowels) where the moisture levels are higher to aid in shedding. This isnt uncommon by anymeans, and your little guy should be fine.
I have a leo that has a hard time with her toes. She was that way when I got her. I just have to soak her and help her toes. She's lost a few toe tips from her problem, just have to keep ahead of her. Make sure her moisture levels are higher than my other leos.

 

[roach dude]

ok cheers!

will do i saw her rubbing against the my rough stone hide box, so i guess thats a good sign. and she went into the moist hide box i had for her. hopefulyt hings will be ok!!!!!

thanks alot

 

[Wolfy72]

I keep a Humidity box in with all my Leopards, just a mixture of soil and moss and try to keep it moist at all times, when they go to shed they'll sit n there and soak it all up to help loosen the skin, it also gives them a cool place to lay, plus the females will use it to lay eggs in..

 

[roach dude]

Should the humid hide box be on the cooler side of the encloser or on the heat mat?

 

[roach dude]

Also i'd like to say.... dont you think he's a beaut!

 

[roach dude]

JUst checked on him about 2 mins ago and the exsess skin around his head has gone, but their is still stuff left around his toes...should i wait another day and see what happends or try to get if of now???

(im sorry but im realy unexeprienced with leo's and reptiles in general.. well i guess everyone starts somewhere!!!!!!!!!!!);P ;P

 

[OldHag]

Yes, that is a gorgeous leo you dun did good.
If shed is left around the toes it can cause the toes to die, so I would put him in a container with moist papertowels to "soak" his toes, then gently loosen the shed skin with your fingers.

 

[roach dude]

But the thing is, its still far to skitty to accuratly get the bits of with my hands.... would it be wise to use a soft toothbrush and gently get the shed off???????:wall:

 

[bugmankeith]

Can you soak her toes in a shallow tub of warm water, leopards arent found by water, but if the skin doesnt come off that will cut off circulation and kill the toes.

 

[roach dude]

im afraid that might have already happened!!!!!! When he walks on his front foot it bend underneath his leg. somtimes it lies nomall and sometimes it dosent. He dosent seem to be in any pain from it.......it just looks a little weird...!

 

[bugmankeith]

That could also be MBD. (Metabolic Bone Disease)

 

[Mushroom Spore]

That could also be MBD. (Metabolic Bone Disease)

Yep. OP, are you giving it a dish of calcium powder at all times? Because otherwise your lizard is going to become deformed and then die a painful death.

 

[roach dude]

AHHH thats horrible..... actully i need some of that calcium stuff. I didnt think i needed it because i asked the guy in the shop if i needed it. And he was like no its ok with out it! what a fool!:? i will go get some first thing tommoro morning!

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Never EVER rely on people in pet shops for knowledge. They're paid to sell animals, not be experts. Many of them are complete idiots, particularly with exotics.

Google "leopard gecko caresheet" and similar phrases, and read EVERYTHING. Educating yourself is the only way to go.

 

[Taceas]

I would make a moist hide out of a small plastic butter/margarine container with a small hole cut in the side with wet moss or at the very least paper towel and place it on the warm side, it'll cause more evaporation and increase the relative humidity inside.

Yes, you need calcium with vitamin D powder. Just place it in a Gatorade bottle lid or something similar. They'll lick it when they need it. When it doubt, you can lightly toss their food with it in a plastic bag, especially if they're looking like they have early onset of MBD.

Then I would try to get the shed off the toes first and foremost. Most of mine shed in parts, not all in one piece like a snake would do. But if you don't get it off the toes they will get circulation loss and die. Just be careful of the tail and try not to aggravate it much or else it'll drop the tail. Maybe you could put it in a ventilated Tupperware container with wet paper towels in a warm spot, to see if it can get the skin off on its own. I'd rather have an aggravated leo than one without toes.

The best defense against bad pet stores is arming yourself with knowledge before you get any pet. The last time I tried to buy a pet mouse, to add its genetics to my own feeder colonies, they tried to sell me $40 in stuff I didn't need and gave me all kinds of wrong advice on how to take care of it.

If you don't have it already, buy The Leopard Gecko Manual and read all the care sheets you can find to disseminate good information from potentially bad. Not all care sheets are honest and full of good information.

And lastly, what's with all of those smilies in your signature? They're a wee bit distracting when trying to read your posts. =/

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Maybe you could put it in a ventilated Tupperware container with wet paper towels in a warm spot, to see if it can get the skin off on its own.

What I do with my ball python--which I may need to repeat tomorrow, come to think of it--is put him in the ventilated tupperware, lined with wet paper towels. Then I put that tupperware on the bathroom floor, crank the shower up as hot as it goes, and shut the door. Leave it running as long as the air stays warm, which seems to average about an hour both at my apartment and here at my dad's.

This also did wonders for a bad surprise case of dehydration, doing it every day when necessary.

And lastly, what's with all of those smilies in your signature? They're a wee bit distracting when trying to read your posts. =/

Seconded. :8o

 

[roach dude]

O.k thanks for all the advive everybody. i am just about to pop out and get some clcium power and some vitimin D stuff. I think i will also purchus some moss for my humid box..... i htought this guy was well educated. he has been keeping leo's for 15 years. he must just be to stupid not to tell me to get some calcium power. That has realy annoyed me......