Stuck shed and won’t eat crickets

[Barson]

So marvin has had stuck shed for about a week now and I’m worried about it. I’ve tried steam in the shower and peeling it but it looks like it’s hurting him. In addition he’s not taking to his feeders well and barely eats them should I get Dubias and what should I do about the shed?

 

[PabloTheCham]

Don't peel it. unless it constricts blood flow to a limb, It is not harmful. It will fall off on its own.

 

[Barson]

Don't peel it. unless it constricts blood flow to a limb, It is not harmful. It will fall off on its own.

Is it normal for it to stick like this? And thank you

 

[PabloTheCham]

Is it normal for it to stick like this? And thank you

No it is not normal, but you should still leave it unless it is wrapped around a limb reducing blood flow. if you want to get it off, maybe try soaking the spot with stuck shed and then using a cotton swab to remove it. Just don't pull it off, it can hurt the cham.

 

[Barson]

No it is not normal, but you should still leave it unless it is wrapped around a limb reducing blood flow. if you want to get it off, maybe try soaking the spot with stuck shed and then using a cotton swab to remove it. Just don't pull it off, it can hurt the cham.

Alrighty I’ll try that

 

[PabloTheCham]

I just looked closely at the pic, and it looks like he hasn't shed at all. He just has some tears, but all of the shed is still there. You might want to visit the vet, but get other opinions first, this has never happened to me.

 

[Barson]

No it is not normal, but you should still leave it unless it is wrapped around a limb reducing blood flow. if you want to get it off, maybe try soaking the spot with stuck shed and then using a cotton swab to remove it. Just don't pull it off, it can hurt the cham.

How do I prevent the stuck shed

 

[PabloTheCham]

if your husbandry is fine, it helps, but it just happens sometimes.

 

[Barson]

I just looked closely at the pic, and it looks like he hasn't shed at all. He just has some tears, but all of the shed is still there. You might want to visit the vet, but get other opinions first, this has never happened to me.

Yeah it’s worrying me I don’t know if I should keep trying to get the shed off or if I should take him in.

 

[PabloTheCham]

Yeah it’s worrying me I don’t know if I should keep trying to get the shed off or if I should take him in.

when in doubt, take in. You may do more harm than good by ripping it off.

 

[Gingero]

STOP STOP STOP. Oh man. Just leave the poor guy be. He's barely even started shedding. DO NOT assist him and I don't see any cause to bring him to the vet. What are your humidity levels? As long as they are around 40-70% he will shed just fine on his own. It'll take him a few days.

Also please watch this video:

 

[PabloTheCham]

STOP STOP STOP. Oh man. Just leave the poor guy be. He's barely even started shedding. DO NOT assist him and I don't see any cause to bring him to the vet. What are your humidity levels? As long as they are around 40-70% he will shed just fine on his own. It'll take him a few days.

Also please watch this video:

I literally said not to tear it off. And it has been a week that it has stayed like that. An adult chameleon is supposed to take around a week to completely shed, and this one has stayed like this the whole week.

 

[Gingero]

I literally said not to tear it off. And it has been a week that it has stayed like that. An adult chameleon is supposed to take around a week to completely shed, and this one has stayed like this the whole week.

You advised to "maybe try soaking the spot with stuck shed and then using a cotton swab to remove it" -- I'm saying don't interfere at all. Especially not soaking since chameleons are dry shedders.

Just like you called out, he is only just now starting to shed. My guess is he had pale patches and duller colors in preparation for shedding the past week... but is just now starting to actually shed. So I'm not too concerned about the time frame as long as the humidity is between 40-70%, he'll shed in due time. Plus some chameleons shed faster and quicker than others. 1 week is not a hard and fast rule.

 

[Gingero]

Also should mention that decreased appetite is common around shedding since the OP asked about that as well. That being said, it'd probably be worthwhile to get additional feeders besides crickets. Variety is essential to a chameleon's diet. Dubias are a great option, but I'd also look into bugs such as silkworms, black solider fly larvae, hornworms, superworms, wax worms, blue bottle flies, etc.

 

[PabloTheCham]

You advised to "maybe try soaking the spot with stuck shed and then using a cotton swab to remove it" -- I'm saying don't interfere at all. Especially not soaking since chameleons are dry shedders.

Just like you called out, he is only just now starting to shed. My guess is he had pale patches and duller colors in preparation for shedding the past week... but is just now starting to actually shed. So I'm not too concerned about the time frame as long as the humidity is between 40-70%, he'll shed in due time. Plus some chameleons shed faster and quicker than others. 1 week is not a hard and fast rule.

That's not what he said. He said there have been pieces of stuck shed on his skin for a week. He didn't say that their have been signs of shedding in the past week. This means that the cham has stayed the same in his shedding for a whole week.

 

[Barson]

That's not what he said. He said there have been pieces of stuck shed on his skin for a week. He didn't say that their have been signs of shedding in the past week. This means that the cham has stayed the same in his shedding for a whole week.

His she’s started coming off today so I guess I analyzed the situation wrong, thanks you guys!

 

[Ares05]

Just so you know OP..

Chams should never be bathed. Never peel off stuck shed. Stuck shed is not a reason to go the vet unless its causing/caused by issues.