One unhappy dragon... shed advice?

[KrissyLeigh]

So if you ask Skittles, he would say I'm the worst mom ever. He is normally VERY personable, but he's been shedding over a week and I took out most of his decor to sanitize \ kill those *bleeping* pinworms and he is a GRUMPYGILLS. Though I'm happy to report his poo is much nicer now! (and take a moment to reflect that before having a bearded dragon in my life, I never thought I'd be so ecstatic about feces)

My question is - is bathing good for getting shed off? I would think the water would make it stick more, plus he is so cranky I can't easily pick him up, so he thrashes around and his shed rips off. I've read that peeling the shed off before it is ready can damage skin and leave them prone to infection. So just let it bake off on it's own under the lamps?

Thanks y'all!

PS - he wouldn't even look at me for this picture, and he loves photoshoots!

 

[Eavlynn]

Aww, poor Skittles, it's in the one place he can't really reach. When it flaking off like that, take one or two fingers and try rolling it off. If there's resistance, wait again until it's loose. By the looks of it, it's probably ready to come off. Two of my dragons have MBD and I have to help them get loose shed off, especially their back, toes, and tail.

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[zardoz1138]

Leave it be. Never peel it off. Bathing is good for it as well.


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[Canicke]

yeah - shedding can make them grumpy. try misting him with some water. he is a cutie !

 

[Hdrydr31]

what nice colors!! Yes you can increase bath times while shedding and you can gently use a soft toothbrush to help with the shed. only remove if completely free so not to damage scales underneath.

 

[PatsyB]

Bathing is good to help loosen the shed. You can also add some pure aloe to the bath water to help. They sell jugs of pure aloe at the drug store, usually by the laxatives.