Help Please! I have no idea what happened.

[benr7sj]

So about a week ago i saw a spot on my 3 week old hatchling's front right leg. It was a small pink dot so i thought it might have scraped it getting some shed loose a few days before.

this morning i come home from work and check on it and its shedding but its leg looks like this:

Any ideas what could be going on? has anyone seen anything like this before?

I have it housed in a 6qt tub in my hatchling rack with paper towel. temps are never over 92*along back of tub. using flex watt for belly heat with thermostat. fed appropriately sized, dusted mealworms.

 

[rebecky45]

Looks likes stuck shed around its upper leg constricting blood flow, but the pic could be misleading me. That's my best guess. Good luck with the little one!

 

[sausage]

that I deffo looks like constricting shed around the top of it leg, you need to try and remove it ASAP!! although im sad to say that it looks like its already to late the swelling is quite bad it might loose the leg.

 

[That_DL_Kid]

Unfortunately I agree it looks like the leg is too far along to be saved but I would still try. Remember that for the first week you need to keep the paper towel substrate wet to aid the first few sheds

 

[Ozy]

Oh yea.. I can see the thick layer of skin on the top squeezing it. Looks like it tried to peel the skin down and off and it got stuck. Try to remove the skin with a warm, moist soak for about 20 minutes then roll a q-tip over it. ( you probably already know that, I was just throwing it in.) Even if the skin comes off, I would DEF. take the little one to a herp vet. GL with your baby!

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

Definitely shed retention and is most likely too late to save it. Removing it may reduce pain, or cause more due to increased swelling and re-excitement of dying nerves. Was this a trouble sheddder from the beginning or is retained shed something your seeing in a few of your hatchlings. You most likely need to up your ambient humidity and be more vigilant as they shed the first few times.

 

[benr7sj]

no this is my first shed issue with any of my adults or hatchlings. i try to keep the warm part of the tubs moist most of the time for the first couple weeks and then whenever they are shedding. i guess i just didnt keep a close enough eye on this little one. i feel terrible because its my responsibility to care for these little ones and ive ruined this ones quality of life probably for the rest of its life. words cant describe how ashamed i am.

Thank you for everyones input and helping me determine what the issue is. ive removed the shed and i'll be watching how the leg progresses over the next couple days. if no improvement by friday we will be goin to the vet just to see what the options are. Thanks again everyone.

 

[benr7sj]

Getting ready to head to work but leg is showing better coloration and the little one still has great use of its leg so far. will add updated pics to this thread in a day or two. still doesnt look too good but fingers are crossed

 

[bubblez825]

Good luck with the baby, I hope it continues to show improvement, even if its just little by little, and please do keep us updated :main_yes:

 

[sausage]

yeah good luck, i really hope the leg dose recover, i look forward to seeing update pics soon

 

[benr7sj]

48 hrs after shed was removed. still some swelling but not nearly as bad and color looks a lot better.

 

[sausage]

oh i am glad the little guys on the mend, fingers crossed its not permanently damaged.
can the fingers grip still?

 

[benr7sj]

it seems to still be able to move them. im not too sure how well at this point because they are still a little swelled.

 

[Robyn@SYR]

Healing and recovery powers are pretty incredible, best of luck for 100% recovery!

 

[sausage]

fingers crossed, you might find that some of the outer skin will die still and flake off but its looking good so far.

 

[bubblez825]

So glad to hear the little one is on the road to improvement! Fingers crossed for continued improvement and eventual full function of the "hand"

 

[benr7sj]

arm and finger movement are awesome. an updated pic taken a couple minutes ago.

 

[pandoras box]

Wow, that's amazing! Thanks for updating, it looks like he is on his way to a full and speedy recovery.

 

[sausage]

It is healing really nicely, hes one lucky little guy

 

[bubblez825]

That looks awesome!!! Congratulations on the speedy recovery to you and the little guy!!!