iHerp Answers: Retained shed on Bearded Bottom Jaw

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Retained shed on Bearded Bottom Jaw

Posted By:

erikapi

I am wondering what to do about some retained shed on the big scale at the middle on the edge of the bottom jaw of an adult bearded dragon. I know the usual way to deal with retained shed is to do some warm soaks to get the skin loose and if necessary to carefully get the skin off. The problem is, even a warm soak does not guarantee his face will be in the water to get that really loose. I have heard of using some oil to loosen the shed, but haven't tried that yet. I cannot even clearly see edges, but know there is some retained shed there as the scale has become kind of wrinkely, which is suggesting that it is not doing quite the right thing.

Other than that scale it is a healthy adult male dragon, about 3.5 years old. Eats a varied diet (greens, veggies, supers, horns mainly), gets calcium (RepCal w/o D3) with his supers are served in a dish 2-3x per week and vitamin (Herptivite) supplements 2x per month. MegaRay UVB replaced about a year ago (does not run for about 6 months when he brumates in winter). Basking temps around 115 degrees Fahrenheit and cool sides as low as 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Lives in a 5' long x 2.5' deep x 2' tall cage with shelving built in for basking and climbing. Humidity is the same as the room, probably 30-40%. Soaked about once per month. No other shedding problems, I've never had to help him shed anything.

I figure someone here should have a good hint that would get that off without trauma to the dragon or me getting a finger bitten (yes, he bites).

Thanks!


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Skin
Tags:	Bearded, Beardeddragon, Dragon, Retained, Shed
Species:	Lizards > Lizards > Pogona vitticeps
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Assisted Answer

4/19/2009 2:20:02 PM

jenerallizationn

I'm not sure about the oil, but if you can't get near the mouth you could try misting the area with warm water using a spray bottle.

Assisted Answer

4/21/2009 1:29:00 PM

deathscythe801

I wouldnt use any oil. Regular, warm soaking always seems to be the best bet. You may want to up your soaking schedule to once per week. I have eight adults and used to have problems with retained sheds on some of them. Once I started to increase their "baths," the problem was eliminated.

Assisted Answer

4/21/2009 11:06:59 PM

RB3067

Try placing him in a plastic shoe box with moist sphagnum moss for an hour or so. Any stubborn remnants of skin should soften up and come off as he digs through the moss. Good luck!

Author Comment

4/22/2009 9:17:13 PM

erikapi

I will have to try all of those and see what works.

Fortunately, he has never had problems with retained sheds, but I noticed that that scale is a looking iffy.

Accepted Answer

4/28/2009 8:05:03 PM

shellboa

Most of the time a dragon with a few scales hanging on is not an issue. I usually let mine get them off on their own unless it happens to be impairing their vision or hanging out of their nose. For a biter I would suggest getting a washcloth warm and soggy and just tuck it under his chin and let him rest on it or even bite the washcloth. Rather than oil for stubborn sheds I use a little neosporin. Soaks in well, no residue and just in case its from a cricket bite, cleans it up. You could apply it with a q-tip for him.

Sorry you have a biter, I've only met one other biting beardie so it seems unusual to me. Good luck with him.

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