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Thread: Shedding issue

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    Shedding issue

    Hello all! New to the forum and also new to ball pythons, I have a supposed female ball python (unknown on age) but she is about 3 and a half feet in length. She shed this morning sometime and for the most part it went pretty good. The shed skin came off in one solid piece besides in being crumpled at the start with some dark colouring to it, but still all in one piece. The issue is at the very end tip of her tail their is a small piece still attached. upon closer looking , the underside is or was bleeding slightly, but only on a tiny little bit. I do have a picture but I cannot upload a photo due to I am using an ipad and it will not let me . If anyone can shed a bit of more light onto this that would be great.

    I am using an aspen/cypress mulch mixture for sub,
    temp is 80-81 and hum is about 70 due to increase for her shed.
    she has a big enough water dish to soak herself in as well.

    i can also send the picture via email if anyone is interested. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

    Hydro.

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    Registered User auraria's Avatar
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    Could it be she was rubbing herself against some in her enclosure that could have injured her while she was trying to get the shed off?

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    Re: Shedding issue

    Yes this is possible there is a decent sized log in in her enclosure that could have caused it. So assuming that is the case, do I leave it or take another course of action?

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    Re: Shedding issue

    Quote Originally Posted by Hydro View Post
    Yes this is possible there is a decent sized log in in her enclosure that could have caused it. So assuming that is the case, do I leave it or take another course of action?
    I'm also a noobie snake owner so hopefully some one can chime in.
    I'd inspect the logs or hides for any sharp edges, if there is any I'd shave/sand them down.
    As for her I do not know, I would think biotine/neosporin to a dry rag and gently rub that are to make sure it doesn't get infected and help heal.

    HOWEVER again I do not know, that's just me theorizing, before doing anything to her I'd wait for more expert advice !

    can you upload any pictures to imgur/photobucket for us to see?

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    BPnet Senior Member Slim's Avatar
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    A small amount of post shed bleeding around the cloaca is common. I use paper towel substrate and usually find a small blood trail post shed.

    My bigger concern is the piece still attached to the tail. Is it just a patch, or does it go all the way around the tail? A small patch isn't a problem and will normally come off on its own. Shed that goes all the way around the tail can become a problem if you don't get it off. There is a potential for blood flow restriction.
    Thomas "Slim" Whitman
    Never Met A Ball Python I Didn't Like

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    auraria (05-04-2016)

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    Re: Shedding issue

    Quote Originally Posted by Slim View Post
    A small amount of post shed bleeding around the cloaca is common. I use paper towel substrate and usually find a small blood trail post shed.

    My bigger concern is the piece still attached to the tail. Is it just a patch, or does it go all the way around the tail? A small patch isn't a problem and will normally come off on its own. Shed that goes all the way around the tail can become a problem if you don't get it off. There is a potential for blood flow restriction.
    Neat, I didn't know it's that common. I've only been through one shed however so I haven't seen it.

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    Re: Shedding issue

    It does appear to be around the entire tip of the tail. And she wont allow the tip of the tail to be on the ground as she moves around her enclosure, i imagine it is somewhat discomforting. Should I soak her and try to take it off with paper towel? Or what would be the best way of going about this?
    Last edited by Hydro; 05-04-2016 at 04:35 PM.

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    Re: Shedding issue

    Quote Originally Posted by Hydro View Post
    It does appear to be around the entire tip of the tail. And she wont allow the tip of the tail to be on the ground as she moves around her enclosure, i imagine it is somewhat discomforting. Should I soak her and try to take it off with paper towel? Or what would be the best way of going about this?
    I'd soak her in room temp water that's about an inch deep for about 30-40 minutes!
    See if that helps her out :].

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    BPnet Senior Member Slim's Avatar
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    Re: Shedding issue

    Quote Originally Posted by Hydro View Post
    It does appear to be around the entire tip of the tail.
    Wet a hand towel with warm water. Damp, not soaking. See if you can get her to crawl through the towel in your hands.
    Thomas "Slim" Whitman
    Never Met A Ball Python I Didn't Like

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    Any luck Hydro?

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