Discussion:
Gecko shedding problem
(too old to reply)
Xray
2009-02-06 05:23:58 UTC
Permalink
My leopard gecko seems to have had a shedding malfunction, most of it has
come off but there is an area around one of his eyes, actually the whole side
of his face that apparently refuses to come off.
This seems to be hampering him greatly, there is a crusty film over one eye
and it interfers with his mouth, and it generally seems to be getting his
spirits down, he has not eaten in weeks.
Hes nice and plump, but I don't know how long he can last without eating.

I tried peeling a bit of it off for him, I did get some but the area around
his eye still remains, and I'd hate to break out the tweezers in such a
sensitive area if any other option remains.
Any ideas how to help the little fella rid himself of this unwanted skin ?
Jules
2009-02-06 11:35:49 UTC
Permalink
it has to come off, it shouldnt have been left on for weeks

you can get something called like shed away or shed ease..but i have never
used it.

just keep dampening and make sure it softens and comes off
Post by Xray
My leopard gecko seems to have had a shedding malfunction, most of it has
come off but there is an area around one of his eyes, actually the whole side
of his face that apparently refuses to come off.
This seems to be hampering him greatly, there is a crusty film over one eye
and it interfers with his mouth, and it generally seems to be getting his
spirits down, he has not eaten in weeks.
Hes nice and plump, but I don't know how long he can last without eating.
I tried peeling a bit of it off for him, I did get some but the area around
his eye still remains, and I'd hate to break out the tweezers in such a
sensitive area if any other option remains.
Any ideas how to help the little fella rid himself of this unwanted skin ?
Xray
2009-02-07 03:06:25 UTC
Permalink
Well it wasn't on for weeks, I just noticed it.
Probably a few days.
I've had him for about 5 years and he typically gets a bit lethargic in the
winter, and often goes weeks without eating - Then he'll come back and chow
like mad.
I didn't notice the problem since he mostly hides away in a log during the
day, I saw him walking on a stick that leads to an upper level and it was
obvious he was having a hard time, so I took a closer look and noticed the
unshed skin hampering his whole face area.

I got about 95% of it off, he seems to be doing much better already.
Hes blinking and licking his face, something he was unable to do before,
with the dried skin almost bonding his mouth and eyes shut.
There is still a little bit left, right under his eye lid when I am very
leary of going in with tweezers, since one jerk of his head could put his
eye out.
He doesn't mind being handled at all and is quite docile, but any critter
is going to squirm a bit getting prodded like that, I know I would.

I put a wet sponge in with him, hopefully the remainder will work itself
out naturally, if not I'll have to go to plan B.

Thanks for the response.
Post by Jules
it has to come off, it shouldnt have been left on for weeks
you can get something called like shed away or shed ease..but i have never
used it.
just keep dampening and make sure it softens and comes off
Post by Xray
My leopard gecko seems to have had a shedding malfunction, most of it has
come off but there is an area around one of his eyes, actually the whole
side
Post by Xray
of his face that apparently refuses to come off.
This seems to be hampering him greatly, there is a crusty film over one
eye
Post by Xray
and it interfers with his mouth, and it generally seems to be getting his
spirits down, he has not eaten in weeks.
Hes nice and plump, but I don't know how long he can last without eating.
I tried peeling a bit of it off for him, I did get some but the area
around
Post by Xray
his eye still remains, and I'd hate to break out the tweezers in such a
sensitive area if any other option remains.
Any ideas how to help the little fella rid himself of this unwanted skin ?
Jules
2009-02-07 22:02:55 UTC
Permalink
The eyes are pretty tough, i have had some v bad shed and with eye
infections, so had to tug a little at the eye with care and damp cloth. even
on a blind one.

we had a rescue come in last week, bad legs and was told v bad at shedding,
its a adult.

it was shedding today and i had todo its head and body, and on its deformed
legs, but its fine now..

just take your time...
Post by Xray
Well it wasn't on for weeks, I just noticed it.
Probably a few days.
I've had him for about 5 years and he typically gets a bit lethargic in the
winter, and often goes weeks without eating - Then he'll come back and chow
like mad.
I didn't notice the problem since he mostly hides away in a log during the
day, I saw him walking on a stick that leads to an upper level and it was
obvious he was having a hard time, so I took a closer look and noticed the
unshed skin hampering his whole face area.
I got about 95% of it off, he seems to be doing much better already.
Hes blinking and licking his face, something he was unable to do before,
with the dried skin almost bonding his mouth and eyes shut.
There is still a little bit left, right under his eye lid when I am very
leary of going in with tweezers, since one jerk of his head could put his
eye out.
He doesn't mind being handled at all and is quite docile, but any critter
is going to squirm a bit getting prodded like that, I know I would.
I put a wet sponge in with him, hopefully the remainder will work itself
out naturally, if not I'll have to go to plan B.
Thanks for the response.
Post by Jules
it has to come off, it shouldnt have been left on for weeks
you can get something called like shed away or shed ease..but i have
never
Post by Jules
used it.
just keep dampening and make sure it softens and comes off
Post by Xray
My leopard gecko seems to have had a shedding malfunction, most of it
has
Post by Jules
Post by Xray
come off but there is an area around one of his eyes, actually the whole
side
Post by Xray
of his face that apparently refuses to come off.
This seems to be hampering him greatly, there is a crusty film over one
eye
Post by Xray
and it interfers with his mouth, and it generally seems to be getting
his
Post by Jules
Post by Xray
spirits down, he has not eaten in weeks.
Hes nice and plump, but I don't know how long he can last without
eating.
Post by Jules
Post by Xray
I tried peeling a bit of it off for him, I did get some but the area
around
Post by Xray
his eye still remains, and I'd hate to break out the tweezers in such a
sensitive area if any other option remains.
Any ideas how to help the little fella rid himself of this unwanted
skin
Post by Xray
?
Jesse
2009-02-08 14:36:18 UTC
Permalink
Am pleased to say he now appears back to normal, and has eaten for the 1st
time in weeks.
Lost a little weight, but still a little plump, looks like hs had some
reserve left.

There has been a meal worm shortage in my area, none of the pet shops have
them. He likes crickets but isn't the best cricket stalker, they
practically have to walk in his mouth.
I could cripple the crickets of course, don't quite have the heart to do
that, so hopefully the worm supply will be back on track soon.
Post by Jules
The eyes are pretty tough, i have had some v bad shed and with eye
infections, so had to tug a little at the eye with care and damp cloth.
even on a blind one.
we had a rescue come in last week, bad legs and was told v bad at
shedding, its a adult.
it was shedding today and i had todo its head and body, and on its
deformed legs, but its fine now..
just take your time...
Post by Xray
Well it wasn't on for weeks, I just noticed it.
Probably a few days.
I've had him for about 5 years and he typically gets a bit lethargic in
the
Post by Xray
winter, and often goes weeks without eating - Then he'll come back and
chow
Post by Xray
like mad.
I didn't notice the problem since he mostly hides away in a log during
the day, I saw him walking on a stick that leads to an upper level and
it was obvious he was having a hard time, so I took a closer look and
noticed the unshed skin hampering his whole face area.
I got about 95% of it off, he seems to be doing much better already.
Hes blinking and licking his face, something he was unable to do
before, with the dried skin almost bonding his mouth and eyes shut.
There is still a little bit left, right under his eye lid when I am
very leary of going in with tweezers, since one jerk of his head could
put his eye out.
He doesn't mind being handled at all and is quite docile, but any
critter is going to squirm a bit getting prodded like that, I know I
would.
I put a wet sponge in with him, hopefully the remainder will work
itself out naturally, if not I'll have to go to plan B.
Thanks for the response.
Post by Jules
it has to come off, it shouldnt have been left on for weeks
you can get something called like shed away or shed ease..but i have
never
Post by Jules
used it.
just keep dampening and make sure it softens and comes off
Post by Xray
My leopard gecko seems to have had a shedding malfunction, most of it
has
Post by Jules
Post by Xray
come off but there is an area around one of his eyes, actually the
whole
Post by Xray
Post by Jules
side
Post by Xray
of his face that apparently refuses to come off.
This seems to be hampering him greatly, there is a crusty film over one
eye
Post by Xray
and it interfers with his mouth, and it generally seems to be getting
his
Post by Jules
Post by Xray
spirits down, he has not eaten in weeks.
Hes nice and plump, but I don't know how long he can last without
eating.
Post by Jules
Post by Xray
I tried peeling a bit of it off for him, I did get some but the area
around
Post by Xray
his eye still remains, and I'd hate to break out the tweezers in
such a sensitive area if any other option remains.
Any ideas how to help the little fella rid himself of this unwanted
skin
Post by Xray
?
Jules
2009-02-14 18:32:44 UTC
Permalink
yes i had a lot like that, some better than others...sometimes i offer
locust, a bit easier to fatch for them
Post by Jesse
Am pleased to say he now appears back to normal, and has eaten for the 1st
time in weeks.
Lost a little weight, but still a little plump, looks like hs had some
reserve left.
There has been a meal worm shortage in my area, none of the pet shops have
them. He likes crickets but isn't the best cricket stalker, they
practically have to walk in his mouth.
I could cripple the crickets of course, don't quite have the heart to do
that, so hopefully the worm supply will be back on track soon.
Post by Jules
The eyes are pretty tough, i have had some v bad shed and with eye
infections, so had to tug a little at the eye with care and damp cloth.
even on a blind one.
we had a rescue come in last week, bad legs and was told v bad at
shedding, its a adult.
it was shedding today and i had todo its head and body, and on its
deformed legs, but its fine now..
just take your time...
Post by Xray
Well it wasn't on for weeks, I just noticed it.
Probably a few days.
I've had him for about 5 years and he typically gets a bit lethargic in
the
Post by Xray
winter, and often goes weeks without eating - Then he'll come back and
chow
Post by Xray
like mad.
I didn't notice the problem since he mostly hides away in a log during
the day, I saw him walking on a stick that leads to an upper level and
it was obvious he was having a hard time, so I took a closer look and
noticed the unshed skin hampering his whole face area.
I got about 95% of it off, he seems to be doing much better already.
Hes blinking and licking his face, something he was unable to do
before, with the dried skin almost bonding his mouth and eyes shut.
There is still a little bit left, right under his eye lid when I am
very leary of going in with tweezers, since one jerk of his head could
put his eye out.
He doesn't mind being handled at all and is quite docile, but any
critter is going to squirm a bit getting prodded like that, I know I
would.
I put a wet sponge in with him, hopefully the remainder will work
itself out naturally, if not I'll have to go to plan B.
Thanks for the response.
Post by Jules
it has to come off, it shouldnt have been left on for weeks
you can get something called like shed away or shed ease..but i have
never
Post by Jules
used it.
just keep dampening and make sure it softens and comes off
Post by Xray
My leopard gecko seems to have had a shedding malfunction, most of it
has
Post by Jules
Post by Xray
come off but there is an area around one of his eyes, actually the
whole
Post by Xray
Post by Jules
side
Post by Xray
of his face that apparently refuses to come off.
This seems to be hampering him greatly, there is a crusty film over one
eye
Post by Xray
and it interfers with his mouth, and it generally seems to be getting
his
Post by Jules
Post by Xray
spirits down, he has not eaten in weeks.
Hes nice and plump, but I don't know how long he can last without
eating.
Post by Jules
Post by Xray
I tried peeling a bit of it off for him, I did get some but the area
around
Post by Xray
his eye still remains, and I'd hate to break out the tweezers in
such a sensitive area if any other option remains.
Any ideas how to help the little fella rid himself of this unwanted
skin
Post by Xray
?
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