Tiger salamander not shedding

[sammiethes]

Hello.

We've had a tiger salamander for about five years. He was sick for a while when we first got him but since recovering he has been doing well. However, I've noticed recently that his behaviour has changed. He's usually sluggish here in Hong Kong in the summer and rarely eats. He hasn't eaten in a couple of months but that does not bother me so much as that has happened before in the summer. What worries me is that he is no longer shedding his skin. I noticed recently that he has been trying to rub it off but it is not coming off at all. There hasn't been a water dish in the container in a few years as he does not like to go in water. I spray his tank ever day and I doubt humidity is an issue.

Is there anything I can do? The only thing I can think of is to put him in a smaller container with lots of balls of wet tissue to rub against. Or could this be a sign of another health issue?

Thank you.

 

[MnGuy]

I suggest adding a water bowl regardless of his past behavior.

I had a marbled newt whose color kept getting darker. I posted about it here and on many other newt forums (and contacted the breeder) and got no answer about what was going on. The newt eventually died.

Someone in a Facebook newt group later had the same issue with their marbled newt and somehow discovered it was because the newt was not shedding its skin. They somehow got it to shed--I believe by soaking it in water.

The short story is: It can be deadly if a newt/salamander doesn't shed their skin.

Good luck.

 

[sammiethes]

Thank you.

For now he is in a separate container on wet tissue. I'll try the water.

 

[sammiethes]

No change so far. He's not shedding at all even after an extended time in water. Looks like we are going to the vet.

If anyone has any other suggestions please let me know, thanks.

 

[sammiethes]

Hello.

Most of the skin has come off but he has some faint red patches over much of his body. Very faint and not open sores or anything like that. He's very active and breathing heavily because of it. Unless someone has any ideas I guess we are going to the vet.

If you have any experience with this please let me know.

 

[sammiethes]

Hello.

In case anyone observes anything similar in their salamander he has septicemia and is now on a course of antibiotics.

Thanks.