Problems removing 1 stuck shed piece

David339 · 11-13-19, 07:07 PM

My corn snake (hatchling) had a shed issue his last shed. It seems it tore or something while he was shedding and i came home and saw he had like a little bit of shed stuck to the top of his head. I got all but one piece off which is between his eyes. I used a warm wet washcloth and have tried mineral oil. It's been a few weeks and I'm not having any success. I can get the back edge to peel a little but other than that it won't come off and it's a delicate area so I'm trying to be super gentle. I haven't been trying everyday, maybe 1-2 times a week because I won't handle him after he's eaten and it's stressing him so I end up giving up. Doesn't this HAVE to be removed before he sheds again or can I leave it? All his other sheds have been perfect.

toddnbecka · 11-14-19, 01:14 AM

Leave it, it will come off with the next shed. If you have stuck shed issues again simply soak a towel with lukewarm water, and put it into a tub, then the snake. Tight fitting lid, leave it for 30 minutes, and the stuck shed will most likely come off as the snake moves around on the towel.

David339 · 11-14-19, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

Leave it, it will come off with the next shed. If you have stuck shed issues again simply soak a towel with lukewarm water, and put it into a tub, then the snake. Tight fitting lid, leave it for 30 minutes, and the stuck shed will most likely come off as the snake moves around on the towel.

Thanks. From what I read online I thought it HAD to come off before his next shed. This is his first shed issue, he's had perfect sheds for quite a while.

**Aaron_S** · 11-14-19, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David339

Thanks. From what I read online I thought it HAD to come off before his next shed. This is his first shed issue, he's had perfect sheds for quite a while.

Eye caps and tips of tails are the only thing to worry about when it's a single messy shed. Otherwise the piece will come off in the next shed. Multiple layers is a different story.

craigafrechette · 11-14-19, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Eye caps and tips of tails are the only thing to worry about when it's a single messy shed. Otherwise the piece will come off in the next shed. Multiple layers is a different story.

Agreed 100%. I also pay attention to their cloaca and make sure there's nothing stuck there either.

**Aaron_S** · 11-15-19, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Agreed 100%. I also pay attention to their cloaca and make sure there's nothing stuck there either.

Also a good spot

David339 · 11-15-19, 09:58 PM

It's just one decent sized scale between the eyes on top his head. I've done the washcloth and tried mineral oil/q tip and haven't sat there trying for a super long time. I only got one part peeled up and it's too small to try to grab. That's after several tries spread over the last 3 weeks, 1-2 tries a week. If it doesn't come off next shed what would be the best? His head is a little smaller than my pinky and I'm too worried about hurting him in anyway to do too much. I guess put him in a folded warm wet towel? He won't really slither his head through a washcloth.

**Aaron_S** · 11-18-19, 07:52 AM

Come back after next shed. Just ensure the humidity is a little higher than normal to help it along.

David339 · 11-29-19, 05:01 PM

He shed everything all on his own. The particular scale that was stuck looks kind of grey though. It's not shed though. I'm sure of it.