Bad shed......help please....

Ive never had a bad shed until now.....one of my females has skin on her toes and tip of tail what is the best way to remove it????Thanks




-John

If it's on several toes and her tail, I would make a little sauna for her. Get some Tupperware and a WARM damp cloth to really steam it up - just don't make it too hot! Put your gecko in there for 15 - 30 mins. Afterwards, take a damp Q-tip and try to roll away the problem skin. It shouldn't be too difficult if she was "steamed" for a long enough period - the skin should be soft.

Most likely you'll need to hold your gecko while doing this. This is one of the few times I advocate closing your hand around the gecko. This is the way I've found that works the best: With the gecko belly facing your fingers, grip the gecko so the head is between you index and thumb, the front legs are between your index in middle finger, and the hind legs are between either your middle finger and ring finger OR between your ring finger and pinky (it depends on the size of the gecko). Hold the gecko firmly - but always keep in mind that you CAN hurt them by squeezing. Because you control their legs it's difficult for them to struggle too much. Here's Amber being a wonderful model for my technique.

thanks ill try this


-John

another little tid bit, try using a soft brissled toothbrush on the feet, ive done it with my beardies and it works perfectly.

the sauna works very well. You can also put a small drop of mineral oil on each toe before soaking. (steaming)

If it's just on the toes i fill a small container with just a bit of warm water. Place gecko in side with a lid so they can't escape. Some of the store bought shed ease works great at softening the skin really well, as does mineral oil. I usually then once they soak in there for 10-15 minutes, take them out and try using my fingers to roll it off. If it gets caught on the little nail, a little delicate tweezer work can be used just be careful!

I've used my fingers as well. It's delicate work, but it does work.

I should mention that you shouldn't have to force the skin off. It should come off like a slightly tacky sleeve. If it feels "stuck" at all, then stick her in the sauna for a little longer.

ok i will do

So how did it go?