Moist Hides

[BarkingDeer]

When my Leo was younger, she had issues with shed on her toes, thus loosing bits of them. She was good for a while and now last shed was okay but she was toe issues again, but hasn't lost any bit yet, but this shed, which was last night/early morning, she was a wreck. She had shed on her face still, on her toes and feet over all, and on her bum. I'm not sure what to do, and I've had her for almost five years, I got her from the Pet Smart. With the last shed, I tried giving her a bath, but she really didn't like it until she calmed down and she won't sit still for me to be able to help her get shed off her toes, and I'm terrified of me accidentally hurting her or her dropping her tail.. you know..
I've tried taming her and all, and I try to handle her everyday, but she just seems to not like being handled.
She has never been to a vet, either. I'm fifteen and my mother just won't allow it, and it seriously bothers me. But we may start going to a vet soon.

 

[Dinosaur!]

Insted of a bath, try putting your gecko into a container with damp paper towels for like 30 minutes. Keep a lid on it (and some air holes of course) you may also want to keep warm (not hot). since she wont be in a tub of water she will probably freak out less than before. then gently try to work the skin off of her with tweezers, q-tips, or your fingers. just stay calm and take your time.

And did you want to know something about moist hides? Your title says "Moist Hides" but you mention nothing about them

 

[BarkingDeer]

Yep, I completely forgot to mention moist hides. I was wondering what is best to use in moist hides.
Thank you for replying to my thread!

 

[Dinosaur!]

no problem And there are many things that you can use in a moist hide! You can use damp paper towel as the cheapest option. I used to use spahgnum moss and perlite mixture. YOu can also use just plain spahgnum moss. I just switched over to eco-earth which is basically coconut fiber i believe. My geckos love it! Some people mix vermiculite and coco-fiber together. Just try out new substrates and you will find the best one for you and your gecko

 

[indyana]

In addition to putting in a humid hide, make certain you have a good regimen for vitamins and calcium supplements, as nutritional deficiencies, especially vitamin A, have been known to cause shedding problems.

 

[BarkingDeer]

What can I find Vitamin A in?

I'll hopefully be going to the pet store today, so I'll start the process! Thank you Dinosaur!!

 

[indyana]

You should be supplementing your leopard gecko's diet with calcium, D3, and a general reptile multivitamin via some method. There are a lot of different ways to do supplementation, and I'm not sure what you're doing currently.

I feel the easiest method is to buy an all-in-one reptile powder like Repashy Calcium Plus (sometimes sold in pet stores as TRex Calcium Plus or Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus) and dust the food with that every feeding. Then, buy some calcium without D3 and keep a very small dish of that in the cage at all times for the gecko to lick as needed.

There are other methods you can use, especially if you have different supplements you are using and don't want to throw them out. You'll have to let me know.

 

[BarkingDeer]

What I have is Fluker's Calcium with Vitamin D3, but she has started getting those armpit 'bubbles' and I stopped for a bit because I thought I was over using the powder, but I guess I should keep using it. How often do you think I should use the powder? My gecko is five years old, it that factors with anything.
As for the multivitamin, how does Herptivite work?

 

[indyana]

Yes, Herptivite is a good vitamin supplement. I suggest alternating dusting with calcium+D3 and Herptivite (so do calcium+D3 one feeding, then switch to Herptivite the next feeding, etc.). Most people I have spoken to think the armpit bubbles are linked more to excess protein than calcium. I would cut down feeding to small amounts every other day or even twice a week and see how she does. If she starts losing weight, you can feed more, but most adult leopard geckos can maintain their weight on less food than you think, especially if they are not breeding or laying eggs.

The Herptivite will help with the vitamins. Another good idea is to let your feeder insects eat veggies like carrots, winter squash, and nutritious greens (no lettuce) for at least one day before you feed them to your gecko. Then, the leopard gecko gets the vitamins from the vegetables passed on in its food too.

Between adding a moist hide and making sure she gets the necessary vitamins with her food, her shedding should begin to improve.

 

[BarkingDeer]

Okay, thank you guys!