Help with stuck shed?

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Ajxackt

New member
My leopard gecko has some real bad stuck shead at the tip of her tail. She has had it since I got her and I was hoping a small bath and letting her go would work. Well, a shed later, she still hasn't lost that shed and now it's worse!!
I have given her warm baths, saunas, and now repti-shed, but nothing is loosening it up. Any ideas before I take her to the vet next week?
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Hello Ajxackt ~

Welcome aboard!

Have you tried soaking the tail tip in warm water (~86*F--a leo's preferred body temperature) for maybe 10 minutes and then gently swabbing the tail tip with a dry q-tip? Wrap her entire tail with soggy gauze and focus on the tip. Maybe you could make progress layer by layer? Otherwise she will probably lose her tail tip.

Have you a moist hide on the warm end of the enclosure as well as a warm dry hide? Especially if your room humidity is less than 40% it's important to keep one warm hide moist 24/7.
 
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Ajxackt

New member
I haven't tried wrapping her tail yet, but i have had her in a critter keeper with papertowels and warm water before to try and get that off. I'll try that when I take her out today.
I do have a moist hide on the warm side. I spray the sanghum (spelling?) Moss daily. My humidity stay about 40% all the time. When I notice her about to shed, I jump it up to about 60% by spraying the decor and back wall.
 
Elizabeth Freer

Elizabeth Freer

Well-known member
Ajxackt said:
I haven't tried wrapping her tail yet, but i have had her in a critter keeper with papertowels and warm water before to try and get that off. I'll try that when I take her out today.
I do have a moist hide on the warm side. I spray the sanghum (spelling?) Moss daily. My humidity stay about 40% all the time. When I notice her about to shed, I jump it up to about 60% by spraying the decor and back wall.
Click to expand...

(sphagnum moss)

That all sounds super! Another way to temporarily increase her humidity is to punch some holes in a plastic (Gladware ?) container, place wet paper towels inside, and spray the sides and top. Then add your leo. Place this container on the warm side on top of the heat mat. Leave in place for several hours. Check on your leo now and then, but don't open the box.
 
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Ajxackt

New member
Quick update, I took my little girl to the vet yesterday and he pretty much just snapped off the tip of her tail since it was gone anyway. She is doing well and exploring like normal. She has even started to wiggle her tail a little more! Other than, Vet gave her a clean pill of health and she weighs a whopping 27 grams right now!
 
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