unique shed problem

I have had my first ball for just over a week and he has already contracted a respiratory infection which he is currently being treated for with shots from the vet. He is also going through shed. Because of the respiratory problem I have been told by different people to keep the tank humidity down. This of course leads to a bad shed. He likes to be held so that took care of a lot of the shed because of me petting him but his neck, tail and parts of belly are being stubborn. I don't want to bathe him because of the infection. I've been using a "repti shedding aid" that contains: water, solubilizing hydrotrope, glycerin, jojoba oil, and vtamin E in an oil base. This seems to be helping a little. Any suggestions. Are there any dangers if the shed stays on for too long?

Hi,

You only really have to worry about it if it completely encircles his body as it tends to shrink as it dries. This is most important at the end of his tail.

I have tried a couple of shedding aids in the past and hate the oil based ones as they seem to cause the top layers of the scales to later shed singly - though I haven't tried the one you mentioned.

The good news is that water works perfectly well on its own. :D

I use a plant mister and warm water - being sprayed will cool it down and I don't want to give them a chill.

Then I sinply use my fingers to start the edges where the stuck shed begins (working from head to tail ) misting when it begins to break on me.


dr del

Thanks for the info. The only problem is he seems a little sensitive about having his head or tail touched. He's very docile but if I move my hand above his head he will draw back. The end of his tail seems a bit sensitive as well. The skin at the very tip just came off today. I'll keep trying.