No good, very bad shed

[shelliebear]

I soaked Madison today and ran her through a towel.
Some of her skin is stuck on her and all that will come off is a few pieces, tiny pieces.
Her belly is pink and red and irritated and some scales look swollen.
I can't get anything else off no matter how long I soak her and no matter what I do.
Why is this happening?
What should I do?
Some spots where the scales came off were bleeding.
I don't know what the heck to do. My snakes have shed so many times and it's never been like this. none of them have ever had even a speck of blood when I ran them through a towel, especialy not after soaking them.
??????

[broadude]

A picture of the snake would help.

A picture of your set up would help others troubleshoot with you. Providing both will get you more help that may pinpoint the issue so that it can be resolved.

If you can't provide all that, my suggestion is get the animal to a Vet.

Good luck!

[shelliebear]

I meant to include in the original post "pics will come later". So sorry, I'm exhausted, forgive typos and what not.
Thanks for the reminder Deborah.

[broadude]

Just PLEASE stop peeling the snake. I have heard a horror story about a woman that didn't know what she was doing and peeled her snake alive.

[shelliebear]

i didn't mean to peel it all i did was run her through a damp washcloth like i usually do if they have a bad shed but it's not working. I realized it would not come off after a soak and figured i'd ask here for advice. i haven't touched her since which is why pics will be coming later--i don't want to bother her, maybe she'll get it off herself. have sprayed her tank really good and made a humid hide again, but she never uses it. i think that may be why it's stuck right now anyway.
peeled a snake alive? that is terrible i usually leave them alone if it doesn't come off becuase i'm no expert. :/ i don't want t hurt them

[Elise.m]

How long did you soak her for? I've been through bad sheds where I have to soak. Usually soaking for 15-20 mins will do the trick. If the skin won't come off super easy after that, I leave them, mist the tub and soak for the same amount of time the next day til it's gone.

[broadude]

One other question while we are waiting for pictures..did you have any oil based product in the water?

[shelliebear]

No oil based product in the water, but I do have some "Zoo Med repti-shed aid" which has oils and minerals in it...should I give that a shot?
Should I spray that on or dump it in some water and have her soak in it?
I soaked her for about 10 minutes, BUT she kept climbing out of the water. The tub I had her in has an area she was able to crawl under between the lid and top of the tub so I think she was in there for at least 7 minutes as I kept opening it to check, but at the end of the 10 min she had figured out how to pull her whole body up there and hide. lol
The water should be around 70 degrees, yes? OR warmer/colder?
Thanks. Going to take photos now, should be uploaded in about 15 min (it's a long process uploading from my phone to computer. grr)

[shelliebear]

Photos: (mind you all I did was run her through a damp washcloth after soaking her. it was already looking really pink well before i soaked her though)









Those are the same 2-3 spots but different angles, trying to capture the red/pink color of it.

[wolfy-hound]

Is there any red ink/dye she has had access to? Newspaper inks, substrate like wood shavings that have red to them?

If not, it looks like the beginning of extensive belly rot. I'd suggest contacting your vet and asking if he can give you the same medications you are treating the cornsnake with scale rot with.

Also, if you are soaking her BEFORE she sheds, this can actually remove beneficial oils and make it harder for them to shed properly in some cases. Can't bring up the 'where' I read that, but I think it was on here somewhere. I don't soak snakes, but then I have high humiidty anyway.