Problem with JUST tips of head and eye caps during shed.

[lemureye]

Hello,

I currently own one male BP named Yoshi. I bartered for him about one year ago come this December. He was about 1 to 2 months old when I traded for him. I have owned a Burm and 3 BP's in the past but had to give them to (a VERY experienced and caring herp dude) a third party due to the fact that I was going to Japan and other parts of Asia for over a year. In the past I have dealt with mites with my Burm ( a complete nightmare), but other than that I never had any real shed problems besides maybe a small amount of skin left here or there. I acquired Yoshi from a college student who cared about the snake, but couldn't commit total care. He was in fine shape when I got him (pure sweet heart from day one) but I really don't know the care pattern of the previous owner. Perfect eater (frozen only), no health problems, etc. Cutting to the chase his first shed with me was HORRIBLE. The atmospheric conditions of his enclosure were pretty dead on (small changes from time to time for VERY short periods of course), but he basically DIDN'T shed. I had to very gently and over a period of a few days assist his shed with soaks etc. So... his last shed was nearly perfect except for the fact that the tip or more accurate about half his head to his mouth and eyes did not shed well (this was also the case with his first shed, even after a LOT of help). I have noticed he seems to have a whitish sort of dry spot (maybe a burn) in the very middle of his head. He had this when I got him and maybe a burn, I am not sure. Either way both times I have used the scotch tape around two fingers roll around head and eye method (VERY gently) until as much skin is gone and eye caps are removed (main concern). I haven't tried mineral oil. But I am wondering if this is just HIM, if there are other things I can be doing to INSURE (I know that sounds a bit silly) that the head and eye caps go, etc. Any tips, techniques, etc are highly appreciated as I really don't like using the tape method although he is a champ.

[Kaorte]

I don't know why people get so concerned with stuck eye caps. If I see a stuck eye cap I leave it alone and make sure my humidity is extra high for the following shed.

What is your humidity like during the shed cycle?

[lemureye]

Well first this comes from one of the FAQ's " Usually, a snake will rub them off himself eventually, but if not, it will not hurt the snake for them to wait for the next shed. "

Come on. Really? How would you feel if you had pink eye, sun glasses or eye patches on ALL the time. It's common sense and visually obvious they are NOT meant to be there.

To answer your question. My usual ambient humidity is between 50% to 60 something percent. Once I see the milky eyes I up it to 705 to 80%. Also I integrated a Zoo Med Repti Fogger system and hydrostat into my setup (I forgot to mention this) after the first shed and it worked wonders on everything but the head and eyes.

But to answer your question stuck caps can and do cause serious problems as well as reducing the snakes quality of life.

[Kaorte]

Well first this comes from one of the FAQ's " Usually, a snake will rub them off himself eventually, but if not, it will not hurt the snake for them to wait for the next shed. "

Come on. Really? How would you feel if you had pink eye, sun glasses or eye patches on ALL the time. It's common sense and visually obvious they are NOT meant to be there.

To answer your question. My usual ambient humidity is between 50% to 60 something percent. Once I see the milky eyes I up it to 705 to 80%. Also I integrated a Zoo Med Repti Fogger system and hydrostat into my setup (I forgot to mention this) after the first shed and it worked wonders on everything but the head and eyes.

But to answer your question stuck caps can and do cause serious problems as well as reducing the snakes quality of life.

Your humidity sounds fine. Looks like he just had a hard time getting the skin off. It shouldn't keep happening if your humidity is where it should be.

My question was not if stuck eye caps cause problems. I know that they can, but one layer of stuck eye caps will NOT cause problems. It might be a little uncomfortable, but you could potentially blind the snake by trying to get the eye caps off yourself. I've seen people do it. I've seen vets do it.

One layer of stuck shed on the tip of the tail will cause more damage than one layer of stuck eye caps.

[lemureye]

"One layer of stuck shed on the tip of the tail will cause more damage than one layer of stuck eye caps."

Wow you learn something every day. And you may be right for instance just like this shed was ALMOST 100% better than the first maybe the next will be even better. Personally I highly doubt I will blind the snake but it HAS crossed my mind. BUT I am unwilling to let Yoshi have caps for months. So it's a process of trial and error I guess.

Thanks any other feedback or similar experiences would be great.

[ballpythonluvr]

I had a female normal that came to me with stuk eye caps and shed on her head. I just left it go until the next shed cycle. I made sure the humidity was a little high and the eye caps came right off.