Severe shedding problem

[Mich]

Ok I don't know what else to do here. I am not a noob so please don't think this is just a common issue. I have many geckos and other herps and am very well aware of what shedding issues can do and what environment is needed to prevent it. I bought a female from a local pet store last fall, at that time she was missing a few of the tips on her toes. I figured she wasn't supplied with a moist hide, there wasn't one in the enclosure at the time, and so didn't shed properly, no big deal. WRONG. This girl has had major shedding issues, I mean major. Every shed I would have to soak her for 20min a day for several days and use tweezers to pull the shed off, it never just peels off on it's own. She has lot the tips of several more toes and NEVER uses her moist hide. She even lays her eggs on the floor of her enclosure (they are not being incubated). I changed the type of hides I used, the size, where the opening is, where they are located, I've used moss, I've used vermiculite, I've used moist paper towels and even provided several through out her enclosure for her to choose from. Still she refuses to use it. Now she is to the point where she is literally stuck in a full body shed, even the skin on her head is so tight her eyes are half open. I soaked her for a good amount of time and just spent half an hour just trying to peel the shed off her feet. Her head, back, tail and legs are rough and feel like dried leather. I have used shed-aid and after every bath I lather uer up with moisturizing cream. I keep her on paper towel. I am very careful with her heat because all she does is lay over her heat pad, she never leaves it and now is hardly eating. Can't blame her, she must be in pain and scared half to death from her baths and me picking at her trying to save her toes but now it's her whole body.

I now think maybe she just has an incurable cronic shed issue.. I am honestly tempted to have my vet put her down because she is suffering any there seems to be nothing I can do for her. Please if anyone else has experienced this please give me advise and tell me what you did. She is so so beautiful and it is breaking my heart to see her like this. I did have her house with 2 other females but she has since been isolated as the problem has gotten much worse *cry*

 

[Mel&Keith]

I don't know what causes this but some geckos do have chronic shedding issues. It sounds like you've tried almost everything. The only other thing I can think to try is giving her some rough hides like coconut hides and misting the entire tank before she sheds. Most people worry that misting the whole tank will cause respiratory infections but leaving the tank moist for a few days shouldn't hurt her. Good luck!

 

[RampantReptiles]

I don't know what causes this but some geckos do have chronic shedding issues. It sounds like you've tried almost everything. The only other thing I can think to try is giving her some rough hides like coconut hides and misting the entire tank before she sheds. Most people worry that misting the whole tank will cause respiratory infections but leaving the tank moist for a few days shouldn't hurt her. Good luck!

There is only a problem with respiratory infections if the tank is not clean. So changing out the paper towels every day or 2 when you are keeping it moist will keep it clean not allowing bacteria to grow and respiratory problems to occur.

Is it possible to take a picture of your gecko so we can see what this looks like? I have had some problems with my geckos shedding due to the skin becoming infected so is it possible something like this has occurred? Maybe a medicated bath is in order and/or the use of Neosporin.

please keep us updated

 

[Mich]

Thank you for the replies!! Her tank is very clean and I will try misting the whole thing .. I have cocofiber I use for other herps and can easily try a moist hide with that too, I'll try anything at this point. The skin doesn't look to be infected, it's just really tight and pale exactly like my other herbs look when they are ready to sluff it off, only she can't. I'll try to post some pics, poor girl

Please let me know what you use in a medicated bath!! My our city is fairly small (population 54,000)and only one vet at the animal hospital considers himself a reptile expert but I've lost a bit of faith in him when I supplied him with all my iguana care info including ca ratio food charts ....Ive also had to correct him about the sex of my reptiles the few times when Ive brought them in for exams ..and herps like iguanas, geckos and bearded dragons are EASY to sex. I would be crushed if i had to put her down but the shedding thing is getting so much worse and she is suffering Ive used the vet finder on this site and the nearest one to me is about 4hrs one way.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I'd like to know about the medicated bath as well.