Another Shed Thread: Head/Neck issues

[Stargazer735]

Hello, all!

My BP seems to be having repeat shed issues around the top of his head and neck. His eyes, mouth and the rest of his body have shed successfully each time since acquiring him in the late summer, but I'm worried that leaving remaining shed on the top of his head and neck can eventually cause harm. Even if it doesn't, I'm worried that his eyes may remain covered next time.

Here is some background:
- The past 2 shed cycles (this week and a couple months ago) have had this issue. For both instances, head and neck shed didn't come off.
- Humidity has been a problem in the past. Unfortunately, the humidity wasn't at a high enough level during the last 2 shed cylces, but I've recently been able to stabilize it around 55%. Prior to that, it was subject to a lot of fluctuation while I experimented for the best setup. Humidity was fantastic in the summer and through most of fall, but has been particularly taxing where I live this winter. Temperature has been stable throughout.
- I'd like to set the humidity higher, somewhere in the neighborhood of 70%+, but I'm worried that subjecting him to so much humidity over a lengthy period of time may make him vulnerable to things like scale rot. Am I being paranoid?
- For both problem instances I've been soaking him in a tub for about 30+ minutes. It's helped to remove some of the bulk left on his body, but not the area around his head and neck. I've done this numerous times without behavioral or other health issues, but today's soak has me thinking that I'm stressing him out. I can't be certain, but I think there may have been a partial regurgitation along with some of his feces left over from today's soak. Before today, he's never regurgitated.
- I've also tried using a soaked towel to help rub a little bit off - barely successful at all.
- Like most BPs, he's very head sensitive and doesn't like it when I try to remove the shed. I don't have another set of hands around here to restrain him while doing so. It's been difficult to say the least!

I know I'm probably going to be criticized for the way I've been caring for my snake. Please be gentle and try to be understanding. I've owned a BP in the past but have never had these issues before. Just trying to do all of the research and take the actions necessary for the best interest of the animal.

Anyway, I'm beginning to think that taking him to a vet for assistance is the correct course of action. Before doing so, I'd like some insight as to whether or not there are other options available prior to bringing him in (it's currently 12*F outside, so I'd prefer not to have to take him out of the house if I don't have to) and if he's genuinely in a state of emergency that warrants bringing him in.

Thank you all in advance for your help. It's greatly appreciated.

[Lyssa981]

serously not an expert here, I've only had Sampson for a few months but this was an issuse very simalar to what we delt with with him. The stuck shed on his head is best left alone. It is dangous for you to remove, and stressfull for him. As far as I could tell it didn't seem to be causeing any real difficulties other then makng hmi itchy. The neckshed (and his was a mess) DID seem to make eating large mice more difficult. It was almost like the scales didn't want tostretch correctly and it would take him ta rather long time to get the mouse swollowed all the way. This could have been d to prevous mal nutritin though he was is a state when we got him. I also have huidity conces (in our case it is a nasty belly burn that is still raw (scabbed for about 8 inches) that I want to make sure stays dry. Our soulaton was to wait untill his nxt shed then to add wet paper towels into the tank (in a plactic container so the substrait didnt get wet) Ths serously incrased the humidity in hte tank, and since e was in hide mode Idint have to worry about him soaking in it. Honesty I had the hiumidity up over 80% for bit. That MIGHT have ben exessive but the next shed came off completly (at lest down to his burn but that s anoher story) I just thought I'd share

[dr del]

You don't need to increase humidity for that long really - wait until he returns to normal colouration after being in blue and it should only be a couple of days or so.

You could try putting him in a tied wet pillowcase overnight in his enclosure to see if his attempts to escape manage to loosen the head area a bit.

If you post your setup we might be able to suggest ways of increasing the humidity without causing problems - like the damp hide mentioned above.

[Stargazer735]

Thanks, guys! Here is my setup:

- 30 gallon glass tank
- 2 hides to rub on
- 1 large branch in the middle to climb and rub on
- 1 water dish
- 3pc fake foliage on the walls to provide camouflage
- Screen top is covered with a plexiglass cutout to retain heat and humidity
- Heat lamp with ceramic heat emitter
- UTH heater set with a thermostat at 90*F
- Sides are insulated using a non-toxic foil/foam material often used for insulating homes (forget the name of the material, to be honest, but it's pretty good stuff.)

[Stargazer735]

Anyone?

[dr del]

Hmm,

You have done most of the adjustments already that I would have suggested by the sounds of it.

The best I can think of in those circumstances is a humid hide in addition to the two you already have.

[Stargazer735]

UPDATE: A combination of both strategies, a humid hide and putting him in a wet pillowcase did the trick!

Thank you all!