Missing Scale?

During bath time today, I was loosening some shed by gently brushing against it, and a piece with a slightly darker section came off. I didn't think much of it until I was inspecting her to make sure no shed was clinging too tightly around her toes (she lost a toe before I got her from it, so I try to make sure to pay extra attention around the feet to make sure she's not in pain/danger), and I noticed a pink spot that was missing a scale, and figured one of her base scales must have pulled out when I was loosening some of her shed.

I know I didn't force it out, because she didn't react at all when I was nudging at her shed, and she didn't seem too bothered by me poking at the spot on her toe, but should I be worried? (infection/raw skin/improper shed?) She's about three, and I've had her for a year, she's very small for her age because of poor care before I got her, but she's seemed pretty healthy while I've had her, and the herp vet cleared her. This is the only area of her shed that she's had problems with this time around so far, except some pocketing/clinging on her belly that she's very annoyed with. Is this something I just need to pay extra attention to during shedding/as a possible health concern, or is losing a few base scales during shedding totally normal?

Other than this she'd been eating normally, basking and acting normally, except for a little lethargy, but she usually gets a little lazy and cranky while she sheds, so I haven't been paying it too much mind. She is a little fussy during handling, but that might be because we're back in a house with a dog, and she is not a big fan of those, and feels safest in her cage or the tub.

Help?

tl;dr: base scale came off during shed, doesn't seem too bothered but there is exposed skin, should I be worried/what should I be on the lookout for?

Posted Jun 16, 2017, 7:43 PM UTC

62
Loading comments…