retained eye caps

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Originally Posted by Dureo

I was taught if you are having problems with the caps(and you are sure they are still attached) you can wrap a piece of tape around your finger, sticky side out, and gently tap the caps to snag them off.

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This is a VERY dangerous task as you could damage the snakes eye even if done gently.

thanks for the heads up

I live in VERY DRY southern California(last week 12% humidity)and bad sheds happen. I use two tricks together that are safe and work like a charm. First I use fragrance free lotion and apply it to the retained area (eye or skin). I get mine at Whole Foods market but make sure it's fragrance free. I got this tip from Reptile Depot and confirmed it with my Reptile vet as safe. Then you make a hide large enough for him to wiggle around in and you fill it 3/4 with damp (not dripping wet) moss and put it on the warm side. The moss is great because they love to rub and drag themselves along it and loosen the skin. I use sphagmun moss you can get it from a garden / plant supply. It's used with orchids and baskets. Soaking in water is great but good luck getting your snake to keep the area you want underwater especially an eye. You can apply the lotion once or twice a day. They will rub it off but it rehydrates the area better than water. I adopted a BP with a really bad retained eye cap and using these two tricks it was off within two days by itself. Trust me it will work. Next time you see he's ready to shed mist down the enclosure evryday until shed to kick up humidity and you will be fine.

Good luck :sunny:

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Originally Posted by westcoastjungle

Soaking in water is great but good luck getting your snake to keep the area you want underwater especially an eye.

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With 500+ ball pythons, I inevitably have a couple problem shedders every week ... from whole body sheds to retained eye caps, we see it all week in and week out ... soaking in water takes everything off every week without fail. If you use a sealed container with water half way up the snakes body the humidity generated in the tub loosens everything right up and causes it to fall right off.

Of course, if you're a hobbyist with a couple of snakes and a whole lot of time to dab lotion on your snakes eyes, that works too! ... But I've found water alone to be the most cost effective and simple way of getting r done!

There are many ways to care for these animals, this is just mine. :D

-adam

Adam is the man and you sure as heck can't bet a soak in good ole water.

If that doesn't work for you my Vet. Dr Scott Stahl recommended using a small dropper and a drop of mineral oil right on the eye then just use a cotton swab and it should slide right off.

To me the water in the container trick is the easiest and I am sure one the snake would prefer :)

With the lotion, does it matter what kind? I'm not so sure that a scented lotion or something of the sort would be good for them, am i right? (i just like to know incase i ever have this problem) Thanks!

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Originally Posted by jotay

Adam is the man and you sure as heck can't bet a soak in good ole water.

If that doesn't work for you my Vet. Dr Scott Stahl recommended using a small dropper and a drop of mineral oil right on the eye then just use a cotton swab and it should slide right off.

To me the water in the container trick is the easiest and I am sure one the snake would prefer :)

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Why would you feel the need to touch the snake's eyeball with a cotton swab? It has already been said that any method that something physically touches the eyeball can do severe damage if not blind the snake. A eye cap here and there won't hurt the snake as long as they are removed within the next few sheds

Scented lotions have additional chemicals that are not necessary and can be harmful for your snake.

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Originally Posted by tmlowe5704

Why would you feel the need to touch the snake's eyeball with a cotton swab? It has already been said that any method that something physically touches the eyeball can do severe damage if not blind the snake. A eye cap here and there won't hurt the snake as long as they are removed within the next few sheds

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Well since my vet., who happens to be one of the leading herp vets in the US told me to do this when I had my bp there on a visit I would assume he knows what he is talking about. Lightly touching the eye w/ a cotton swab will not hurt it. Using tape to pull of the old cap will. I see that as a difference.
Snakes eyes have protective cap over them other than the eyecap.

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Originally Posted by jotay

Well since my vet., who happens to be one of the leading herp vets in the US told me to do this when I had my bp there on a visit I would assume he knows what he is talking about. Lightly touching the eye w/ a cotton swab will not hurt it. Using tape to pull of the old cap will. I see that as a difference.
Snakes eyes have protective cap over them other than the eyecap.

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I just don't see the point in potentially blinding your snake all because you could not keep the humidity high enough around shed time. The eye cap will just come off next time with a good shed. But hey, I am ending it here