Stuck Shed on Head

**Minkness** · 05-03-15, 03:59 PM

Seems if it's not one thing it's another with my BP....

This weeks delema is shed. He had a bad shed. It's shredded, ripped up, and in pieces. (Battling with humidity). Now he's almost all the way clear except for half of the top of his head, and nothing seems to really be working. I let him soak in lukewarm water, tried rubbing it, upped his humidity, ect. The stuck shed includes one eye cap and part of his neck. His activity level is the same and I haven't tried feeding him yet but he ate while in blue about a week ago.

Should I leave it alone and let it cone off with the next shed, or is there another way to work it off without injuring him?

prairiepanda · 05-03-15, 05:05 PM

Do you have a picture? It sounds like it's not in a spot where it would cause problems, unless it's blocking an eye or nostril, or wrapped around the head completely. Does he have access to a humid hide in this enclosure?

**Minkness** · 05-03-15, 05:32 PM

I tried getting pics but it just does NOT show up. It's over one eye and half his nose. He has a full sized water dish for soaking and I have been spraying his entire tub every day. I don't want it too humid though since that will then cause repertory issues.

prairiepanda · 05-04-15, 08:38 AM

Have you tried letting him crawl through a warm damp towel? You could also try using some of that shed aid stuff from pet stores(comes as a spray or a water additive for soaking in); it contains emolients that soften the skin.

If he doesn't eat on his next feeding day then let it be for a while so that he won't get too stressed out. It shouldn't interfere with his normal activity, but I'm concerned about it restricting oxygen delivery to his eye and putting pressure on it as he grows. Although he'll probably have his next shed early if it doesn't come off.

**Minkness** · 05-04-15, 10:22 AM

That's what I was afraid of. I rubbed a bit of mineral oil into it around the eye, not on it, and upped his humidity even more by covering his tub holes (left a few open for regular air). I'll be feeding everyone tonight, so I'll see if he takes anything. I JUST got him eating regularly too..... Uhg....

**Minkness** · 05-04-15, 08:43 PM

Well, he ate perfectly and seemed ready for another! Will the eyecap be ok until he sheds again? It's really stuck x.x

Eggplant · 05-04-15, 10:53 PM

My friend has a big milk snake who had a retained eye cap for at least two months, maybe more. The retained eye cap turned brownish silver and opaque; the snake probably couldn't see anything through that eye. When he finally shed again, both eye caps were retained. However, there was some loose shed around the eye caps so by holding the snake very still, I was able to carefully pluck the caps off by the lose shed with a pair of tweezers. I inspected his eyes afterwards and they look completely normal

.

Eggplant · 05-04-15, 10:59 PM

Here you can see the removed eye caps and the extra skin around them

**Minkness** · 05-05-15, 04:31 AM

My guy is SO squirmy I'm afraid I'd either choke him, break his neck, or jab his eye with the tweezers....but knowing that he could shed it next round with no issues helps alot. Thanks!

Albert Clark · 05-05-15, 10:10 AM

The tweezer is a risky attempt and the potential risks can be tragic. I would see if he sheds it off next shed cycle but in the meantime I would use the shed ease spray on a daily basis in the event he is able to get it off sooner. If it doesn't shed off after the daily sprays and wipe ons I would go to the vet where they can safely remove it. Good luck with him. Remember the eye is a critical body part and you don't want any accidents .

Eggplant · 05-05-15, 12:05 PM

Np

. And I agree; you can really mess up real bad with tweezers so its much better to try other methods first/ go to the vet if you get really worried. I hope everything goes smoothly!

**Aaron_S** · 05-05-15, 12:42 PM

If it's more than just the eye cap it should come off altogether.

Have you tried dampening a pillow case and leaving him in it to move through and do it on his own?

**lady_bug87** · 05-05-15, 01:02 PM

I hate the damp pillow case. There is nothing I hate more than the damp pillow case.

Why can't you people just leave the poor beastie alone? Wet everything down and let it be.

**Minkness** · 05-05-15, 01:04 PM

No I haven't Aaron. I can. Do that in a day or two though once he's done digesting last night's meal.

How tight should the pillowcase be? In the warm part of his tank? Anything else I should know about this method?

Lady B. Why do you hate it?

**Aaron_S** · 05-05-15, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkness

No I haven't Aaron. I can. Do that in a day or two though once he's done digesting last night's meal.

How tight should the pillowcase be? In the warm part of his tank? Anything else I should know about this method?

Lady B. Why do you hate it?

Tight as in the snake can't get out. It works fine. It's only for about 20 ish minutes.