I think my WD is shedding

Question
QUESTION: Hi diane how are you ?
I need your expertise

My water dragon (juvinile)has been looking ashy and eating a little less and is cranky so I thought he's starting to sheed and I asked a expert and they said he's probly shedding

I've had him a month he hasn't shedd . I make sure his temps are right he has water ...an nice rock pool with a stair case inside soo he kan get in and out or to lay and relax .

I also heard a lizard can stay in his skinn a week b4 he sheds ..is this true

He starting to eat less its been goin for a about a week
It wasn't a big change in his eating untill today he hasn't ate all today ..he ate only a mealworm and a wax worm.  I will continue to offer food and hopefully he will take it



Any advice?

ANSWER: Hi Liz,
It does sound like he is shedding.  You can  try misting him a bit more, 2-3 times a day.  Also a warm bath. The warm water may help as I'm sure the water in his pool is  more like room temperature.. It can take a week or two for them to really shed. You will find that as he gets older, the shed will be thicker and take longer to come off in most cases.
If all your care is correct, I would have him checked by a vet to make sure there isn't some skin problem going on.
http://www.triciaswaterdragon.com/shedding.htm  will give you more info on proper shedding and what to look out for. Some do go off of food for a bit, but again, double check all your care on the link above and if something isn't quite right, correct it and see if that helps...and, of course if it doesn't help, then again, a vet.  Here are some links to finding vets that can treat reptiles.
http://www.herpvetconnection.com
http://www.arav.org/ECOMARAV/timssnet/amm/tnt_mdsearch.cfm
http://www.anapsid.org/vets/

Sounds like you have him set up nicely with his pool, steps, etc.
One thing I have found with my iguanas is that when they are ready to shed, If I take them outdoors in the real sun, its like the skin just falls off!!!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What would the room tempture should be and what temp should the water be for his bath ..and he's way to small to bring out sidee .

Answer
Hi Liz,
Room temperature is what your room is that your WD is in....which, in most cases, if your pond isn't heated or under a heat light, will be at or near the temperature of the room...Sometimes, your WD may get used to taking his bath in his pool as soon as you fill it with the warm water.
For a bath, you don't want his water any warmer than what his basking temperatures are..so basically in the low 90's for his bath.
Is he to wild to hold outside yet?  If yes, then you are right, its not safe to take him outdoors unless you have some type of mesh cage for him...NEVER in a tank or other solid enclosed cage.