well I got him a few hours ago...

I let him soak for about 45 minutes and we had no problems getting off the shed. He got most of it and I helped with the rest. He looks to be a bit dehydrated (had a dent in one eye) but the soak seems to have helped. Im sure he drank some water too.

Now that his shed is gone I can see the extent of the scale rot and it isnt pretty, but im pretty sure he will be ok.
I put some neosporin along his back where the rot is. Now I guess we wait and see what happens.
Ill give him a week to settle in and then try to feed.

He is suprisingly calm for all of what he has been through. He was a real sport about letting me help him shed and applying neosporin.
Wish us luck!
thanks for the advice guys! (im about to build him a humid hide)

oh yeah, and his name is Bones