Posted by iZ's mom on June 17, 2000 at 14:49:18:
In Reply to: shedding posted by sue3 on June 17, 2000 at 13:05:06:
spike sheds *can* be tricky ... just their nature i think ... one thing that's helped with iZ in the past: when he takes his daily soak in the tub, i put a washcloth over his back ... this gets the spikes to soak more than they would otherwise ... iZ has gotten to where he *likes* his superman ... oops ... super-dragon cape and i get evil nasty looks if i don't get it draped on him as soon as he's in the tub! heheheh
instead of pulling, try rubbing the base of the spike shed gently between your thumb + fore-finger ... it'll help loosen it without tearing it free before it's ready ...
i slather iZ's "itchy spots" with aloe on a daily basis when he's shedding ... seems to help a bit ... a small amount of mineral oil rubbed into/onto the spikes could help keep them soft enough to loosen up + shed too ... (never, ever put oil *all over* your ig tho!)
some ig's spikes naturally droop over as the spikes get bigger ... and ... very few igs make it to a ripe old age with all of their spikes looking 100% perfect, so don't kick yourself or anything!!!