Shedding issues

[Vienna]

In the 60 hatchlings that I have, one ALWAYS has trouble shedding - not a single one of the others has issues. When he came to me he had a stuck shed in the shipping box although it was very moist in the deli cups. His next shed I made sure to mist him extra well and he still had a stuck shed. This time I had plastic wrap over the top of his kk lid to make sure that the humidity stayed in and he has a stuck shed once again.

Even after a sauna, I can't get his shed off. When I tug on it it seems like it is just stuck to his skin like he wasn't ready to shed it or something.

Other than what I have already done, is there something else I can do as far as getting the skin to shed evenly? I think this is the crux of his problems as he does get a large chunk off once he does shed, but the skin on his laterals tends to want to hold on to the skin instead of shed.

Thanks for your help!

[Spyral]

Make sure you're not keeping him overly humid. That can also cause shedding issues.

I've also had a select few "problem shedders" and I have used my fingernail to lightly scrape the shed to get a flap to peel off. Be sure, though, that it is actually skin that has been shed and is only stuck. I've put objects like small, rough stones as well as emery board nail files, that can help with stuck shed on the feet & toepads. For limb & body sheds I use my nails or small blunt tweezers to grab a piece of skin and let the gecko walk away. Pulling too hard can damage the underlying skin.

Go slow and it may take several sessions of sauna + peeling to get it all off. Your gecko may drop its tail if you mess with them too much, and they will bite if they get too irritated. Just be sure that you give them a proper humidity cycle, don't keep it too wet and make sure there's adequate ventilation.

[Vienna]

Thanks for your input!

I read that it can also be a sign of a parasitic infection. Is that really something I have to consider if the stools look healthy and the gecko is growing at a good rate? How many bad sheds constitutes a fecal test?

[Spyral]

I don't know if it has a direct relationship to parasites, but it is possible parasites lead to poor health, which might interfere with normal bodily functions such as shedding. I haven't noticed any other with the problem shedders, though there could be a connection.