Bad shed. Very bad shed.

[shelliebear]

Nergal had another bad shed, and the humidity is in a good range according to the thermometer/hygrometer I purchased for 20-30 dollars...it's 70%.
I woke up this morning, checked on him, he was moving around in his tank, and a piece of scale was hanging from his neck. I couldn't find any others, and I watched him move for an hour, then left, came back a while later, it was still stuck. It hadn't gone anywhere. It's stuck on there really good. I tried running him through a damp washcloth, but it is stuck really tight on him. I don't even think he shed the scales on his head yet, as the only piece I could find that he had shed was under his chin. It has no eye scales on it.
I'm so worried! Does this mean he is unhealthy? Can I try feeding him again?
Thanks,
Shellie

[Kaorte]

I would give him a day or two to see how much he can get off himself. Just give the tank a good mist once or twice a day.

After that, if there is still shed left over, try a good 30 minute soak or place him in a damp pillowcase (low thread count) for 20-30 minutes.

A bad shed is the result of low humidity. Where is your hygrometer located? what brand is it? It could very well be that the sensor has malfunctioned, this is rather common with hygrometers.

[A.VinczeBPs]

Conditions? Glass tank, tub?
Temperature? Controlled and measured with what?
Humidity can't be measured with those meters that are circular with a little dial thing. They suck and are wrong.

[Kaorte]

Humidity can't be measured with those meters that are circular with a little dial thing. They suck and are wrong.

Those also don't cost 20-30 bucks which is how much the OP said they paid.

[shelliebear]

No, they're not the sucky dials. I HATE those, and they fall off anyway.
It's a little square that is velcro'd onto the wall of the glass tank. It has a probe, which we put under his favorite hide (his rock, of course ) a little below the substrate.
It says the humidity is 70%, and has been that way since last night--though I'm worried it may have dipped when I was sleeping, because it got a little chilly last night due to some rain.
I misted his tank (a lot!) today, just before posting this, and the humidity is still 70. I was afraid to cover it with a towel the other days because it was so hot, but today is not as bad, so I misted and loosely covered with plastic wrap. Do you think that will help?
I'm also thawing his food real quick to see if he'll eat it. He is looking awfully thin If he doesn't, can I refreeze it again, or is there a limit on these small rats? lol.
Thanks so much for the help. If I didn't have all of you, I'm sure I'd be the worst BP owner ever right now, all by accident from not knowing things. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
(giving thanks and rep to everyone who helps.)
Shellie

[Kaorte]

If it is a probed hygrometer, I would recommend putting it just above the substrate (not touching the substrate). It needs to be exposed to air to get a good measurement for the humidity. I would move it around and see how the measurement changes.

Has he not been eating recently? I don't like to refreeze my rodents. Its kind of gross to me... You can do it but I wouldn't really recommend it.

[MikeV]

If you are using an aquarium, try covering the majority of the screen lid with a:

WET towel

It REALLY ups the humidity

I am thinking that your hygrometer may be malfunctioning. Try this, and if the humidity doesnt go up (according to the hygrometer) then you know it is malfunctioning

Wet towel covering the screen lid ups the humidity by A LOT 100% of the time

This is how you will be able to know if the sensor is working properly.

Hope this helped

[shelliebear]

Nope, the meter is working. I tried the wet towel on the screen, and it went up to 72% a few seconds later. Also moved the probe to just above the substrate. After I misted the tank, the temp went down (the water was just under room temp so it makes sense), and the humidity went up. It's an Exo Terra hygrometer/thermometer. :] I think it works well.

[MikeV]

Nope, the meter is working. I tried the wet towel on the screen, and it went up to 72% a few seconds later. Also moved the probe to just above the substrate. After I misted the tank, the temp went down (the water was just under room temp so it makes sense), and the humidity went up. It's an Exo Terra hygrometer/thermometer. :] I think it works well.

Ah so it is indeed working

Well, Perhaps a 30 minute warm bath, followed by a gentle rub-down with a towel will help aid in shedding

good luck!

[shelliebear]

Ok. One more question: He has developed wrinkles all over his body. Is he dehydrated? How do I make him drink, if so?