shed trouble

galad · 02-09-05, 02:38 PM

My male has a probleme with shedding. He has shed completely except for two small pieces that are stuck on the spikes on his back. Its only been three days so I hope i can still get them off.

I have tried gently pulling them off while he is sleeping ( as I am not able to handle him). BUt he keeps waking up and freaking out, hate to put him through any un-needed stress.

Could i just give him a shower before night time to loosen them up more, so they come off easier while he is sleeping?

Or should I buy shed aid? If so whats the best method of using it?

If i leave it, it will cause him to loose the three spikes that are covered, is this not correct?

thanks guys

ws

Holy Mackerel · 02-09-05, 02:46 PM

When i'm in that situation, i generally apply a little water and rub it off gently. If the cham is overly aggressive put it on a piece of dowel or something, and it should be able to reach behind to bite you if the skin is on the spikes.

Also, if the skin is only one layer thick (of bad shed), it shouldn't cause any problems this immediatly. If you can't get it off, I would personally just wait until the next shed and keep the humidity a little higher.

-Steve

peterm15 · 02-09-05, 03:02 PM

just spray him directly with a really light mist.. that should loosed it up.. as well if you can direct him to a bushy area that you have wet down it might come off that way..

roocat71 · 02-09-05, 07:30 PM

I vote on the shower. IMO this should be done at least once weekly (more is better). Give the cham a solid hour to warm back up before bed time or else you will risk a URI.

-roo

Collide · 02-09-05, 08:00 PM

Showers are always good. Sheddign issues are most of the time related to humidity. So id check that out. I wouldent pick at it should resolve itself on its own. I just finally got a humidifier way long over due, and im kicking myself for not getting one sooner they all went through super sheds this week and i feel better as well. jsut my 2 cents

roocat71 · 02-09-05, 08:51 PM

I agree with Collide, there is probably a humidity issue here. A cool mist humidifier can help out a lot if you plumb it to your cage and run it enough. Really mandatory almost for people who live up north. Plumbing it to the cage isn’t too bad cost wise and it doesn’t take long to do. Just need some PVC parts and some silicon – both can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot. I also cover about 2/3 of the back side of the cage with plastic.

-roo

The top segment of PVC forks off - you just cant see it in the pic.

dank7oo · 02-09-05, 10:05 PM

I guesse you coulde rty hwat cHris tolde me when max haad problemes sheding. sue vitaminE oli and aply wit a swaab.

Correte any mistakes i may havee giveen da wronge infoes.

Jason (LOL)

CarlC · 02-09-05, 10:25 PM

I like Vit. E. It is easy to apply and won't cause any harm.

carl

roocat71 · 02-10-05, 09:08 AM

I use to use vitamin E for my skin - I had some vit. E pills that I poked a hole in to drain out the liquid - then just rub it on my skin. Same deal for a cham but with a swaab? The only time I could do this is right after a swoer when he is mellow. Is it ok to apply it on wet skin? Thanks.

-roo

CarlC · 02-11-05, 08:17 AM

I've never tried it on wet skin. I don't know if it would work as well if wet. If wet the ability to absorb the oil might be happened by the presence of water.

Carl

galad · 02-11-05, 12:21 PM

cool thanks alot guys.
yea humidity has never been an issue, thankfully this is the first probleme with shed ive had in a year and a half. My delivery job allows me to come home acouple times durring the day to mist the cage, but now im laid off and have even more time, lol.

Also gives me time to touch up on my airbrush skills. Ill porbably be coming out with my own small line of herp art clothing: Jackets, t-shirts, ect. Hopefully maybe next year I will have enough to open a small booth at one of the herp shows.
Ill be posting some samples of my art work next month for you all to see.

But anyhoo. About the showers, my cham doesnt really even like being sprayed with a fine mist , and I got some major pressure happening in my shower so I dont think he'd like that too much. Any other sudjestions to get him used to being misted, somehow??
I'll try the vit. E method and hope all goes well.

peace and thanks for your help

ws

HeatherRose · 02-11-05, 12:44 PM

Regarding showers, I wouldn't put him under the shower directly. I put mine on a small potted tree and put half of it under the water, causing all of the runoff to drip off of the other side where the chameleon is... they can drink to their hearts content.