Baby Jackson's Shedding Not Going Well

[MartialArtMom]

I have a 3 month old Baby Jackson's and this is his first shedding. It has been going on for 3 days now and is pretty much over except for his head. He has been eating and drinking well during the shed. This morning he was on the side of the cage and then climbed to the top of the cage just like normal. However, about 1/2 hour later I discovered him sitting on a leaf on the bottom of his cage. He has been there for about 45 minutes. He has never gone to the bottom of the cage before and I am quite worried.

Is there something else I should be doing? I have a cold air humidifier feeding into his cage, a water drip and I mist a couple of times a day as well. He is being fed primarily fruit flies and some small crickets. I have a UVB bulb on during the day.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Seiryu]

I would increase his misting a bit at least until he sheds. Basically mist his entire body, especially the head really well.

What kind of temps are his basking spot? Also, what kind of uvb light?

Maybe he fell from the top to the bottom?

 

[MartialArtMom]

The UVB bulb is an Exo Terra Reptile UVB100 (former Repti glo 5.0 compact) bulb. The basking temperature is about 75°. Should it be warmer? He hasn't moved on his leaf now for close to an hour.

 

[Seiryu]

I like to give mine a 80-83 F basking spot. Occasional 85ish is OK. But 75 is too cool.

Have you taken him out to see what's going on? I would give him a once over, see if you notice anything like a broken leg, any injuries. If he's still lethargic a vet visit would be in order.

That kind is a compact fluorescent right? Those tend to give off an intense amount of light all in one spot and are known to cause eye issues. Some say they have fixed these, but I still see posts on various forums of eye problems from using Compacts.

I would suggest getting a 5.0 or 10.0 ReptiSun Tube (better brand than Exo).

 

[MartialArtMom]

I will increase the heat for him. He is closing his eyes now, which is not a good sign. I haven't been giving him any additional calcium because I'm not sure how to dust fruit flies and the pin heads are so little. Should I get the liquid calcium? He doesn't show any signs of MBD... but maybe?

 

[Seiryu]

I don't think not having calcium is the real problem here, although it is important to dust with it.

He should be on 1/8"-1/4" bugs by now. My newborn jacksons can eat 1/8".

Sounds as though you'll need to take him into the vets.

 

[MartialArtMom]

Thank you for your help. I'll call them right now