oils for shedding? also is this a bruise?

[kbro]

Thoughts on oils for shedding, I have trader joes vitamin e oil, it has soybean oil, vitamin e oil and coconut oil in it. Would this be ok to use? Should I just put it on their skin and let it soak in and give a bath to rinse off? Or put some in a bath like the shed ease stuff? I also have straight extra virgin coconut oil, would that be better?

 

[Taterbug]

Are you having shedding problems?

 

[kbro]

Yeah, it's usually really dry here in winter only 16% humidity, I've raised it as much as possible with a water dish closer to the hot side but Bam Bam still seems to be having trouble. I've also done the baths and all the normal things to help him but I think it's time for the next step. I recently fought dehydration with him as well. I got Pebbles and Bam Bam almost 2 months ago now and they are both around 2 yo. She's in a custom wood enclosure and he is in a glass one. She is shedding right now and looks like she is doing just fine with baths, but he seems to be having issues. It looks like he should be, but it's just not coming.

I also have a picture of him I wanted people to look at. It looks like a bruise and I did see him slam it into the glass, I just want other opinions because it's not really black. I'll try getting it posted I have such horrible luck with that though.
It actually seems darker in the picture than in person.

 

[kbro]

He did shed a little off his beard, and his eyes. But it seems to me there is more that should come off. He does have some wierd markings and changes his color so much that its kinda hard to tell.

 

[kbro]

I know other people use coconut oil or vitamin e oil but my main thing is the soybean oil. Is that ok?
I miss my Loki so much, he didn't have these problems (he did pass away young though)

 

[Taterbug]

Regarding the oils: I don't know hopefully someone else does. I see folks recommending coconut or vitamin e but I'm wary since oils can be damaging to reptile skin. I know you are looking for a short term fix this shed cycle but it's still a bigger problem. I didn't reply yesterday because I don't have a good answer for your actual question.

A much better solution will be making sure your dragons stay hydrated. It sounds like you are probably still dealing with some level of dehydration. Proper shedding requires enough moisture to go smoothly and while baths help soften the outer layer, water isn't permeating into the skin to help the old layer separate. A humidifier in the room may help up your humidity to better levels. Even a water dish can't raise it much more than a few percent. Misting might be helpful, but again it will dry out quickly probably.

Is bam bams enclosure drier? I find my wooden enclosure holds humidity better than my glass cages, since the screen top cages all the humid warm air just rises right out.

I'm not sure what's up with his poor nose.

 

[kbro]

Yeah, his enclosure is a little drier. I've done everything you mentioned except the humidifier (which I might have to do ). I'm in minnesota and we get very humid in the summer and very dry in the winter so it's always been a never ending struggle with that. In the wood one last summer I had to get a mini dehumidifier for when I couldn't get the humidity down any other way. I'll try getting my rooms humidity up some how.
He may be starting to shed on his nose, I'm keeping an eye on it but I know he banged it so I was just wondering. It just looks so different from when Loki would shed. These 2 sure have me being a paranoid beardie mom. Different behaviors to get used to and needs ugh.
I've done all the normal things and have been giving him water, so I was wondering about the oils (havnt used anything yet as I'm nervous to) but have never needed anything like that before with Loki. I'll try to get close up pictures of the areas I'm talking about. And btw I'm so excited I got those pictures up, the last time I got some up they disappeared so yayyyyy

 

[Taterbug]

I think a lot of us have a habit of paranoia/worry over our critters.

I'm super careful about oils/ointments especially. We used neosporin on one of our snakes when it got a little cut. As it turns out, the petroleum base (I believe) damages the keratin layer of their scales and causes it to flake off. I was a nervous wreck thinking the snake was gunna die.

Your poor little guys. Hope his shed doesn't go too miserable. If they eat their veggies cucumber and celery are good for extra water.

 

[kbro]

I've actually been jumping for joy because he started eating on his own again (he stopped for a little bit). So we are working through it. He is still a crabby guy and has days where he is really bright, almost no stress marks and days he is dark.
In his beard and on the side of his head behind the eyes it looks kind of cracked almost, that's what makes me think he needs to get rid of it.

 

[Tonja]

I use a pure cocoa butter stick on my dragons for shedding. Especially on the end of their tails and it seems to work fine. I also have used witch hazel on sheds and that works well. Niether damage scales or skin. Several on here have used pure cocoa butter and my vet recommended the witch hazel and it soothes the itch from them shedding also.

 

[kbro]

 

[kbro]

It's hard to see but the first pic behind the eye and the second and third the right side. I kind of wanted to use what I have at home. I have coconut oil, the vitamin e oil at the beginning of post, olive oil. My next thing would be to get the cocoa butter though I know it's cheap.

 

[kbro]

:lol: btw anybody that's interested I'm not sure if it was a bruise too but he did shed. A couple of days or so later he shed that part of his nose. I was able to raise humidity with the help of this mini humidifier in my room (it only ever got to 30 or so then) His body turned that brownish color and is currently shedding his back, tail and top of his head. I laughed when I remembered this post, it was just so funny looking I freaked out. Winter is done here now and humidity is now where it should be with no help from me.

As for Pebbles, I noticed a piece of her tail that was 2 thin strips left I was keeping an eye on, but found they were restricting it. Hopefully it was caught in time, I used cocoa butter on it and was able to help it off. So far it seems good, there was 2 slight imprints left but they seem to be gone now.

 

[diamc]

I just noticed this thread. I was going to say that the area on the nose does indeed look like a shed. It seems that sometimes that particular area can take on a darker color before shedding, not sure why though but I have noticed it many times over the years. I'm glad it is all gone now. Good that you were able to increase the humidity while he was shedding, I'm sure that helped in the colder months.

Cocoa butter works very well, have used it many times. Good that you noticed those restricting pieces on Pebbles, glad you were able to free that area.

 

[kbro]

His whole body shed weird like that, it was different. It was his first shed with me so I'll find out if that's just the way he sheds or if before he didn't shed right. I did almost feel thicker, maybe he had the start of extra layers but it wasn't so bad that it was obvious.

Yes im so glad i inspect the toes and tail on them, i would feel terrible if anything happened.

They Are both still in the process Pebbles is doing her back now and Bam Bam has moved to tail and head. I need to get some good pics up after. He is sitting so goofy in that pic, he has filled out more too.