A sweet and happy visit with our feathered friend Spartacus this morning! If you listen closely you may even hear Spartacus tell you he’s a pretty bird💛
Talk about a good snack! Stitch showing us a great example of what a healthy shed looks like! Leopard geckos are among some of the reptiles that eat their own shed. Eating their shed provides them with a great source of nutrients and minerals. Shedding is a taxing process on our scaled friends and so this allows them to get back some nutrition they may have lost. In the wild, geckos have been known to eat their shed not only for a source of energy, but also to avoid leaving anything behind that may indicate to a predator that they are near by.
Sometimes reptiles may have a hard time shedding at home. We advise against pulling the shed off of your animals unless a veterinarian has suggested otherwise. If your pet is having trouble shedding at home, supervised soaking may be recommended to give your reptile a little extra help. Difficulty shedding can sometimes be a sign that the humidity in your pets tank may not be optimal for that species. However, there can be other causes for issues with shedding. If you are concerned that your reptile may be struggling with shedding or notice any behavioral changes contact your veterinarian to schedule an appointment.
A recent patient Penelope the Guinea, wanted to select her own treats after a successful resolution of UTI treatment! Go Pemelope!
Dr. Laura Wade is a board-certified avian specialist by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP).
