Ear-Plug Problem and Shedding Advice Needed

[AnnaMonroe]

Am I the only one who's heard of :

http://www.petco.com/product/12513/Zoo- ... image_link

?

Is it worth the try to help blueys shed?
Or do you guys think it's a load of garbage? lol
the reviews don't seem bad at all;

[April_Snow]

I know what that's like!

That's how my bluey broke my finger biting me. I was trying to get his ear bag out. Maybe I should try the tweezer approach. His fingers and toes also still have tubes on them. I don't really know what to do other then bathing him. Not sure how he'll react to that though.

April

[Lea]

DO NOT USE TWEEZERS!

I thought I said that before ...

If you REALLY think its necessary, go to your vet and ask for assistance. Two hands are better than one and your vet's professional experience will help prevent potential mishaps with long, dangerous metal instruments.

[El Lobo]

That's how my bluey broke my finger biting me. I was trying to get his ear bag out. Maybe I should try the tweezer approach.

facepalm.gif

[April_Snow]

I didn't do it! I don't have medical forceps any more. Besides, he'd just bite me again. I was half asleep when I wrote that. I am not going to go after him with tweezers.

[Richard.C]

with toes,feet,ect,use a damp cloth to moisten retained shed,it softens it,then gently rub it away,yes they hate it,its more the being restrained,especialy messing with there feet,but once done,they are fine

retained shed can be common,remember,indoors we keep them dryer than what they get outdoors,some shed fine,some may need assistance,try not to stress,perhaps try adding things to cage that may help in the future,doing nothing will probably just have more issues down the track

[AnnaMonroe]

Has anyone ever tried the Zoo Med Repti Shedding Aid spray?

Posted the link on top, don't think anyone saw it lol..

[Jeff]

I have kept dozens of skinks of multiple species, and I have never used any kind of "shed aid". If kept in the proper conditions, very few skinks will have shed issues. I have had a couple retain ear plugs over the years, but they have always been easily removed with index finger and thumb. I have never needed to use tweezers or anything else.

[AnnaMonroe]

Well if you have a good disposable income for your bluey, I don't think it would hurt to have that spray around just in case haha(:
I purchased a lot of "just in case" accessories and what not, even things for like reptile cuts and scrapes. I like to be prepared in any emergency! ;D

[flutter]

My skink hasn't shed yet but I have bearded dragons (along with the rest of the reptile rabble) and they can be a nightmare in shed, they HATE shedding, my girl doesn't even like being touched when she's shedding its that bad. Just don't 'help' them shed as such. By that I mean, don't pull the skin off for them. The reason it hasn't come off yet is because its not ready, its like if a person pulled sunburnt skin off too soon. The scales underneath aren't ready yet, so it can cause real damage. Regular baths is really the most you can do, make sure the water is warm, (what I call baby bath water temperature), as a test I stick my elbow in it, and if it's the right temperature I can't feel anything at all, no hot and no cold. I bath daily during shed, at most twice a day but that's pushing it, you could do it more, but for animals who don't like baths it can be more stressful having the baths than shedding. The most help you can really give is on toes/fingers and tail tips, by just rubbing them with a cotton bud in the bath. I've once popped out an ear plug, but with hands, not tweezers, that can cause a lot worse damage, if it doesn't come right out with a gentle thumb and index finger, like others have said you need a vet. Other than toes/fingers and tail tips, if it isn't coming off it probably isn't meant to come off yet.

I'm currently going through massive sheds with both my beardies, so I know what this hell is like, but as much as you want to 'help' it does more harm and stress than good. Just daily baths and gentle with a cotton bud on toes/fingers and tail ends if needed (my beardies have never needed cotton buds) is all you really should be doing. Sheds aren't bad for lizards, they're just uncomfortable, so just don't worry

[Lea]

I bath daily during shed, at most twice a day but that's pushing it

you must be lovely and clean!

Sorry, couldn't help it! Your advice is very helpful. It's good hearing from new members who have experienced some of the little trials faced with owning a lizard. Thank you.

[flutter]

you must be lovely and clean!

lol, I wish I was lovely and clean, the weather here is mental atm, either way too warm or bangs it down with rain, so it makes smelling nice impossible- it's either BO or damp

My beardies aren't clean either, they love to run through their own poop or sit on plates you've left on the floor til you next get up! It's baths galore here seen as they're in shed and going through a phase of poop running. I'd just bathed them the other day, then poop happened

My skink has a little mud on him/her from the previous owner still, it hasn't come off so a quick bath today, now that he's use to me. Then we'll have one nice smelling household member at least.

And no worries about the advice, it's what we're all here for. I'm interested in my skink's 1st shed and how it compares with my other lizards.

[kphil]

Sometimes, as with my skink, the ear plugs do not come out on their own and must be removed. I just pulled plugs out of each ear. My skink is 15 years old and is not removing her shed as she did in her younger years. I soak her at least weekly and help remove the shed, including ear plugs. This is after a $600 vet bill when she quit eating because of stuck shed.