Does one bad shed lead to another?

Tegster

I've been reading and reading - my eyes are fried!

Due to a serious humidity issue, over the Christmas Holiday, Tegster had a horrible - one scale at a time - tail shed a few weeks ago. We corrected the humidity issue as best we could (for a 20 gal long) and even used a little bit of olive oil on a cotton ball to help the shed along.

Then his eating picked up and he went into what appeared to be another tail shed ONLY. I haven't found any body scraps in his tank.

We've been misting like crazy! Soaking Tegster every other or every third day for a few minutes. He lets me rub his tail - so nothing hurts.

This shed is only slighty better than the scale by scale shed. That is to say...the skin is split in what looks like rows. But none of it has come off yet.

His new enclosure should be ready by Superbowl time. We need it to be! I getting insomnia from worrying about this guy.
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Renee

txrepgirl · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:25 am Post subject:

When you spray your tank do you just spray the top of the mulch and the Tank or the entire mulch.What you can do is ( if you have a Dollar Tree store that would be great ) get a cat pooper scooper and use that to stir up the entire mulch when you spray it.Make sure the mulch is moist to the touch but not to wet ( soaked ).Cover the lid of the tank with some damp towels for except the area where the lights are.That helps to keep the humidity in.The pet store also has a spray that you can use for your Tegu to help him with the shedding.Hope that helps.Take care and good luck.

Tegster · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:35 am Post subject:

I do roll the mulch over and spray it thoroughly once a day and then spray the top of it repeatedly throughout the day.

Unfortunately, his "sitter" didn't while we were gone over the holidays.

Then he had the scale by scale shed. And this one is only slightly improved. I'm hoping there wasn't any kind of long term skin damage done.

I haven't tried your towel trick yet. Although I saw it in one of your previous posts.

I will research the spray you mention. Thank you so much Txrepgirl for your help.

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Renee

txrepgirl · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:

Your welcome

.Any time.You are doing a great job with the way you spray down his tank.Keep it up.I wouldn't worry about the shedding keep being bad than.As long as there isn't any old skin left on there to cut of the circulation you are good to go.It is normal for the tail to shed days or a week later.He will be fine.Take care and good luck with the next ones.Oh,what you could do if you want to write down in a little diary when Tegster was shedding and how the shedding was.So if you ever have to take him to a vet you have the info to give him.

Tegster · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:03 am Post subject:

Great diary idea - we have a three ring binder going on the Tegster for just such occasions. I shall make note

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Renee

txrepgirl · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:15 am Post subject:

Thanks.It is good to hear that you already have one.I also keep track on what they ate and how the poop was.Since they are still babies I weigh them ones a week and measure them every two weeks.I use a medium sice calender planner so I know what date and day it was when some thing happened.Please keep us posted about Tegster's next shed.Thanks.

Davii · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:57 am Post subject:

I don't think that one bad shed leads to another..
I think that what ever problem they had shedding then it is usually resolved within the next couple of sheds..

Thats what snakes have taught me anyway, I presume its the same for lizards.
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Davii
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Tegster · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:29 pm Post subject:

Yeah-this most current shed was fine. Tegster looks gorgeous. His tail is still a bit of a problem but I expect it to improve with each new shed. His new enclosure is ready but we have to get it up in my sons room. Once we do that - humidity will be much easier to control.
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Renee

txrepgirl · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject:

Tegster.It is good to hear that you are done with Tegster's new enclosure

.Please keep us posted on how his behavior is going to be when you change him over to the new enclosure.Thanks.

Davii · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:49 pm Post subject:

Kat · Member Joined: Jan 30, 2008 Posts: 59

how often should they be shedding? I do notice peices of shed laying around the cage now and then But I never really SEE her shed. I really wasnt the one taking care of her until now so I'm not really sure what kind of pattern she is on.

I do not think she really sheds that often, does that mean Its not moist enough for her? I spray 2 times a day but as I found out a few weeks ago, her bedding sucks and its always dry so I've got to swtich it (in the process now) however, I still am not sure how often i shold be looking to see if shes shedding, and whatnot.

Tegster · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject:

I'm no expert but it seems like each growth spurt causes Tegster to shed. Right now he is eating like a horse. He shed last week and might do it again in two weeks.

When he was a hatchling, and growing super fast, he shed every week or two, and we never saw it happen. As his growth slowed a bit, so did his shedding.
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Renee

Davii · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject:

each growth spurt does cause them to shed;
the whole reason reptiles shed is because their scale cells don't have the same elasticity as humans have in skin cells, so their skin prevents them from growing, therefore, they have to shed in order for them to grow at their normal rate.

I wish I was a reptile, they're so complex and facinating!

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Kat · Member Joined: Jan 30, 2008 Posts: 59

so if she is a full grown adult, would she stop shedding?

Davii · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:16 pm Post subject: