Water Dragon Shed Issue

[dragonmetalhead]

My water dragon Gandy has a piece of shed on the end of her snout that won't come off and seems to have clogged up her left nostril. Everywhere else on her body is shed-free. She keeps rubbing her face against the tank trying to get it off, and I've given her numerous baths to no effect. I am worried it is effecting her breathing. The right nostril is clear. The only thing I can think of to do is gently poke out the shed with a sterile needle, which I don't really want to do since it's a bit risky. Does anyone have any advice on how to get this stubborn bit of shed off.

 

[adam1120]

maybe you can put some olive oil on i did it when my beardie had a stuck shed on his back it keeped it moist and it came off a few days later

 

[turtlepunk]

I would stay away from the needle for now. you can try adam's advice. =)

 

[dragonmetalhead]

Is there an instrument that is less pointy than a needle that I could use? Since none of the surrounding shed is peeling, my plan was to to lightly jab the shed clogging the nostril until I cleared an airway. I've even tried using tape. When I bathe her, I add Zilla's Shed-Ease to the water and that usually does the trick; however, in order to soak this particular patch I'd have to hold her head under and I flat out refuse to pseudodrown Gandy.

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maybe you can put some olive oil on i did it when my beardie had a stuck shed on his back it keeped it moist and it came off a few days later

Thanks, I will have to try that. I don't know if I have any olive oil, but will vegetable or canola oil work as well?

 

[turtlepunk]

when my beardie has a stuck shed around his eyes or nostrils i use tweezers but VERY VERY carefully. Its usually not an issue because he's extremely calm but I'm not sure if a water dragon will sit still for ya

 

[new2tegus]

Yes, any oil will work to keep it moist and loosen it up. I wouldn't want to drown my lizard either lol.

 

[adam1120]

yea any oil will work hope it works

 

[dragonmetalhead]

when my beardie has a stuck shed around his eyes or nostrils i use tweezers but VERY VERY carefully. Its usually not an issue because he's extremely calm but I'm not sure if a water dragon will sit still for ya

Yeah, Gandy is kind of high-strung and I have no doubt that I'll get the bloody hell tail-whipped out of me in the process of helping her out. She can jump slightly more than her body length in one leap and she's two feet long.

 

[dragonmetalhead]

The tweezers method worked perfectly. She didn't like it and I got pooped on, but the nostril is clear. Thank you for your help!

 

[turtlepunk]

yaaay! glad it worked!!! lol sorry about the poop!!!

 

[dragonmetalhead]

yaaay! glad it worked!!! lol sorry about the poop!!!

It's not the first time she's crapped on me and I'm sure it's far from the last.