Bad Shead - Stuck on Neck and Head

Hello Everyone
Long story made short is that I was given an a 11 yr old BP named Lily. Got her and she started her shead and it’s been a few days since the sheading stopped. All is left is the neck and head. I am going to try the soak right now and would love any extra advice.

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Originally Posted by DarthDad

Hello Everyone
Long story made short is that I was given an a 11 yr old BP named Lily. Got her and she started her shead and it’s been a few days since the sheading stopped. All is left is the neck and head. I am going to try the soak right now and would love any extra advice.

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This video from Snake Discovery discusses how to remove stuck shed. It specifically discusses how to remove stuck shed from the head starting at the 5 minute mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2k09c15SaE

Haven't time to watch the video so forgive me if I'm repeating their advice: I'd put the snake in a smaller ventilated container (a little larger than one of their hides would be) with a very damp terry towel (over them) for a while. If they don't get the old skin off by themselves, a few hours of such high humidity should enable you, the owner, to help gently get the rest off.

Lori Torrini, in this video, at the 9:33 mark suggests using vegetable glycerin.

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Originally Posted by Homebody

Lori Torrini, in this video, at the 9:33 mark suggests using vegetable glycerin.

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No idea how well that works, I just know that water does. How many people have vegetable glycerin laying around? :rolleyes: Guess what people try instead? Various oils, that mess up future sheds. :colbert:
Hint- stick with water- it's what nature does.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

No idea how well that works, I just know that water does. How many people have vegetable glycerin laying around? :rolleyes: Guess what people try instead? Various oils, that mess up future sheds. :colbert:
Hint- stick with water- it's what nature does.

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Lori said her vet recommended it, and the OP did ask for "extra advice."

I just checked Walmart- the cheapest vegetable glycerin they have is about $5 a bottle for the store brand (Equate), going up to 3-4 times that for brand names. Be my guest. :D I'll stick with water, & the amount needed is virtually free- what's more, plain water has never failed me when I've had to help a snake shed.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I just checked Walmart- the cheapest vegetable glycerin they have is about $5 a bottle for the store brand (Equate), going up to 3-4 times that for brand names. Be my guest. :D I'll stick with water, & the amount needed is virtually free- what's more, plain water has never failed me when I've had to help a snake shed.

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From my experience seeing my own snake with stuck shed and other people's BPs with stuck shed in a clinical setting, I would also personally avoid using anything other than water unless you can get vegetable glycerin recommended by your own personal vet.

Neck shed will often pop off easily a few days after the snake eats. Being stretched from underneath as the snake swallows the feeder helps to loosen it.

As long as there is no contiguous ring of shed around the snake, the eye caps are clear, and the tail tip is clear, I wouldn't worry about it or stress out the snake trying to remove it. Keep the snake in appropriate conditions and it will likely come off on its own.