Shedding?

jjnnbns · 01-19-04, 10:49 PM

My snake is shedding now and it is scraping its body against anything and everything in the cage to remove the old skin. The rest of its body is getting 'ragged' looking, is this normal or how they usually shed?

jjnnbns · 01-19-04, 10:51 PM

theres also blood on top of her head between her eyes, the skin looked dry there before, like it didnt shed there the time before

sapphire_moon · 01-20-04, 12:11 AM

blood on top of her head

that don't sound right! are you sure it's blood or is it just color? If it is blood maybe scales got pulled off. If scales got pulled off when she is done shedding put a TINY amount of neosporin (non medicated) on it (but since it is a baby you might not want to do this. someone else will be able to help more)
I think some people here use something called betadine......but i'm not sure, so don't quote me on that.
Other than that I'm sure somone else will be able to help you more........just make sure to see if it is blood or color.

Up the humidity (mist her) and have something kinda rough in there, like does she have a branch or a hide?

sapphire_moon · 01-20-04, 12:11 AM

p.s

do you have a pic of the top of her head, that will help people out alot when trying to help you.

jjnnbns · 01-20-04, 12:27 AM

shes back inher hide now for the nite so I wont disturb her, but it is blood, not actually bleeding, ie blood running, and she only shed like an inch from her head, the rest of her hasn't shed yet. Do they usually do this over a few days, hours, or how long? I will get a pic tomorrow

Dragon_Slave · 01-20-04, 10:06 AM

Sapphire_moon: You were correct in saying Betadine.

jjnnbns: You can apply a small amount of Betadine solution on top of her head, being careful not to get it in her eyes. You can also use hydrogen peroxide to clean the blood, and wound if there is one. Just use a small amount and apply it with a Q-tip. I'm not sure exactly how long it takes them to shed, my snake is just now going through his first shed. Good luck and keep us updated, a pic will also help some of us.

sapphire_moon · 01-20-04, 09:10 PM

it should only take a few hours. Up the humidity (spray the cage with a mister or put her in her water bowl)