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Gimpy

Just a quick question, sounds strange but I am just wondering if cresties can get depressed. Mine had a bad shed recently and old skin is still stuck to his feet (its coming off slowly but surely), now the thing is, he is usually a very active little thing but since he's had this skin on his feet he's found it very hard to stick to things and climb. He tried to climb about as usual but the longer the skin took to come off the less active he's become. It's to the point now where he doesn't climb at all, it's like he's a leo not a crestie! This has caused him to act like he is depressed (for lack of better expression), he's very lethargic and the "spark" has gone out of him and he's just not interested, I have tried getting the skin off his feet but he just wriggles free before I can get near his feet (he's still a baby so still not used to being handled alot). He's fine in all other respects, still has a HUGE appetite and will quite happily chase a few crickets around for a bit.
Would just like some advice as I worry about my little fella! Has anyone come across this sorta thing before? And do you think he will recover after he sheds again?

Cheers for any info or advice.
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some people are like slinkies. Not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.

Phil1988 · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject:

For the stuck shed have you tried putting him in a cricket tub with enough water in the bottom to just cover his feet? And then after about 10 mins letting him out again.

Gimpy · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:13 pm Post subject:

Ah now that's something i haven't tried yet, cheers for that. Will give it ago tonight.
_________________
some people are like slinkies. Not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.

Central Scotland Reptiles · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:17 pm Post subject:

Hi Gimpy,

Although not the same species, i had a similar thing happen to one of my Day Geckos.
I purchased the gecko from a shop in England. She was shipped via a courier in a cricket tub. The inside of the plastic container wasn't smooth and she ripped her skin. After days of TLC she started to look a little brighter and she had a good feeding response. It wasn't until she tried to shed her skin that the problems started!! She had real difficulty in shedding and I think the fact that she couldn't climb, like you describe, really 'depressed' her.
The difference between her and your Crestie is that she did not feed while she was having shedding problems. Unfortunately she did not recover. Crying or Very sad

Good Luck.
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Fraser Gilchrist
Central Scotland Reptiles - "Finding Beauty in the Beasts"

Gimpy · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:57 pm Post subject:

CSR really sorry to hear bout your Day, what a shame. And it is very strange the way they can act depressed or down. Interesting but worryingly so....
I'll try the water thing in awhile and report back as to how that goes. I'm a typical mum at heart! I worry about the littlest thing lol.
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some people are like slinkies. Not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.

negri · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 585

put a couple of bits of kitchen roll in a little tub and put the crestie in there for an hour or so . make sure there is air holes in it .

take him out and place him on a flat surface and get a wet cotton bud and run it softly over the bit that isnt shedding well . this should just come off easily enough . if not then put him back in the tub for a little longer .

once this is donr make sure the tank he is kept in has the right humidity in it
im sure the better the humidity the easier it will be for them to shed
Smile

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Gimpy · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:07 pm Post subject:

Ok thanks negri. tried the damp towel thing and the cotton bud thing but it didn't work. will try "soaking" his feet first like you suggested. But also found out today he might have that calcium bone deficiency thing too, so not a happy bunny at the moment. Sad

keeping fingers crossed, will report back soon.
_________________
some people are like slinkies. Not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.

vetherantis · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:36 pm Post subject:

my baby crested got MBD and came on so quick. Give her a UV for a little while.. 6/7 hours a day. Dust her crix and baby food and keep a close eye on her. There is a really good herp vet in london who should be able to help...ya can get a flyer for 50% consultation too.

good luck you!!

xxx

shelby · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:37 pm Post subject:

hi gimpy my crestie is showing the same syptoms as yours i had a feeling it was mbd too he has also shed badly this time and not climbing
i'm trying uv to see if this helps Sad