Shedding

[Yuk]

How long should you wait to help a gecko with shed left on its feet or a piece left on the eyelid? I saw my gecko shedding but fell asleep leaving a piece on the eye and gloves on the feet. Worried about a possible eye infection, I misted the air above us for a little additional moisture in the air and removed the piece from her eye immediately. While I was holding her, I helped her with her paws, which she got the idea and finished the job. In the future how long should I wait for them to handle these problem prone areas? I just wanted to prevent issues, but I don't want to make anything worse. I was worried with the tank changes (upgrading size and changing substrate) that she hadn't spent enough time in the moist hide this time around so it hadn't come off as easily.

 

[Completeleopard]

Wait about 5-7 days.

If she doesn't get the shed off herself place her in a Gecko bath (do you know what that is?) And gently remove with tweezers, do not pull hard else you will damage the new skin underneath.

Any shed in the eye needs to be removed by a reptile vet,

 

[Yuk]

Okay thanks! I assume it's a plastic container with a little bit of warm water and a lid to hydrate the skin? Is that right?

Oh and I meant to say eyelid. It wasn't touching the actual eye but it was close enough that I felt if bacteria grew on it that it could become infected.

 

[acpart]

If I see shed near the eye, I remove it immediately. Any shed that's floating entirely on the eyeball would need a vet attention, but if there's a way to grab the free end of it, I do it myself. If I see the gecko shedding, I leave it alone for a day until it's clearly done trying and then I assist.

Aliza

 

[Yuk]

Thanks! I will continue to watch the eyes closely then! I don't think it should be a problem in the future though. All three are good shedders, but I caught Candy at a bad time, upgrading the tank and replacing the substrate so she didn't feel comfortable leaving the dry hide to get the skin moist enough in the moist hide.

 

[Completeleopard]

Okay thanks! I assume it's a plastic container with a little bit of warm water and a lid to hydrate the skin? Is that right?

Oh and I meant to say eyelid. It wasn't touching the actual eye but it was close enough that I felt if bacteria grew on it that it could become infected.

Yes warm water, just remember not too warm, what feels warm to your hand, will feel hot to your Gecko.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thanks! I will continue to watch the eyes closely then! I don't think it should be a problem in the future though. All three are good shedders, but I caught Candy at a bad time, upgrading the tank and replacing the substrate so she didn't feel comfortable leaving the dry hide to get the skin moist enough in the moist hide.

Good move attending to Candy's remaining shed immediately! Stuck shed on the toes can restrict blood flow to the toes and could cause the leo to lose that toe.