Problem shedding with newspaper?

So I went to the vet yesterday because of these cuts on the underside of my snakes head. If curious look up random holes in snake head or whatever it's called. She then asked the regular q's: temps, humidity, bedding. So I said newspaper and paper towels because I'm done dealing with the issues wood could bring: mites, the issue I have right now, and for breeding hemipene abscesses. She said it should only be temporary because a snake can't shed on it. As long as humidity is up, the snakes can shed right?! I've seen too many people using it to believe otherwise. So I really want to know, por favor dime. Tell me idk I think that's the proper word for it lol

No snakes shed fine on paper products (my vet would have a kitten if you said paper towel however) The issue with paper is it is hygroscopic it absorbs water from the air and locks it into the paper. It in effect is a dehumidifier like silica gel and salt crystals. Paper will lower the RH because of this so that needs to be compensated for. There is a limit to the amount of water it absorbs so once that is reached it stops.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

No snakes shed fine on paper products (my vet would have a kitten if you said paper towel however) The issue with paper is it is hygroscopic it absorbs water from the air and locks it into the paper. It in effect is a dehumidifier like silica gel and salt crystals. Paper will lower the RH because of this so that needs to be compensated for. There is a limit to the amount of water it absorbs so once that is reached it stops.

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Do they need anything rough in there or is the shed all based on humidity?

In my experience it depends on the snake. I have some that seem to have trouble starting to peel it off if they have nothing but tub sides to rub against and some that have no issues. i will place a smooth is rock in with the ones that seem to need something. and remove it after the shed is over. It is easily disinfected after I just submerge in in water from a kettle (boiling or close it it) with f10sc 1:125 until it cools.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

In my experience it depends on the snake. I have some that seem to have trouble starting to peel it off if they have nothing but tub sides to rub against and some that have no issues. i will place a smooth is rock in with the ones that seem to need something. and remove it after the shed is over. It is easily disinfected after I just submerge in in water from a kettle (boiling or close it it) with f10sc 1:125 until it cools.

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That was extremely helpful... I appreciate it. 1 more question... I have a snake on oral baytril every 48 hours. If I have it scheduled to eat Saturday and it's treatment is Sunday, should I still feed it? And if so, would a smaller meal be recommended cuz I don't want her to recurve while to putting a syringe down her throat

I keep all my adults on newspaper and never have an issue. I have Venta airwashers humidifying the rooms, use large water bowls and I spray the back of the bins when the snakes are in shed. I live in the desert and still don't have an issue as long as I spray.

Been using newspaper for YEARS and don't have any problem, they generally shed in one piece, if they don't that means the humidity is lower than usual which is the case in the winter months.

What important is to have proper humidity regardless of the substrate used. (Of course some hold humidity better than other too however newspaper is fine)

My snakes are on paper towels 24/7 from 40 grams to 4000 grams and they all shed complete one piece sheds.
They do not need anything beyond the water bowl and the tub to get the shed off assuming the humidity is good.

Mine are in tubs, on papertowels, and shed fine. They can rub against the tub, or themselves. When I notice a shed coming, I move the water bowl over to the hot side over the flexwatt, and that brings humidity up enough.

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Originally Posted by MorphMaster

That was extremely helpful... I appreciate it. 1 more question... I have a snake on oral baytril every 48 hours. If I have it scheduled to eat Saturday and it's treatment is Sunday, should I still feed it? And if so, would a smaller meal be recommended cuz I don't want her to recurve while to putting a syringe down her throat

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I have had a handful of animals on antibiotics often injected but the issue is the same. The three day drug cycle messes with feeding. I adjust feeding for just after the drugs I also give drugs in the morning, so say monday am drug, then feed tuesday pm and drugs again thursday am. I would just delay feeding until it fit in the drug cycle.

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Your Welcome BTW! :)

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

I have had a handful of animals on antibiotics often injected but the issue is the same. The three day drug cycle messes with feeding. I adjust feeding for just after the drugs I also give drugs in the morning, so say monday am drug, then feed tuesday pm and drugs again thursday am. I would just delay feeding until it fit in the drug cycle.

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Your Welcome BTW! :)

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Ok great!!! Youre just all full of help today lol. Well my issue is it's every 48 hr. So I am trying to figure it out. I feed on sat so I should I just do drugs on the day and feed later same day... It's a little weird being 48 hours

That is a little odd the timing and to be honest I have never had a vet say oral meds either. perhaps you could ask for a needle syringe and inject the rodent?

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

That is a little odd the timing and to be honest I have never had a vet say oral meds either. perhaps you could ask for a needle syringe and inject the rodent?

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Well she isn't willing to eat now anyways so... Maybe it'd be ok to give med in morning then feed at night right?

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Maybe I should just call the vet

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O n I had to do oral, cuz I'm 14 and wouldn't have a ride to have them injected so I had to just get oral

Or you can finish the meds and then resume feeding. As long as its not a hatchling, they can go awhile with out eating, with no ill effects, imo.

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I'd agree the stress of meds is likely to cancel feeding and offering may be just more stress. Injections are not that hard to give with a helping hand and can be done with difficulty alone. I have done both. Just for future reference. I would suggest weighing the animal and keeping an eye on the weight to make sure there is not a large consistent weight drop.

Ya and another thing that's weird is the bottle of baytril isn't even very full at all... I guess I may have to call the vet if I end up running out:/

Be CERTAIN you are giving the correct dose!!!! It is often quite small, (0.05ml for example it is easy to deliver 0.5 mL incorrectly.) Double check the dose amount and the markings on the syringe.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Be CERTAIN you are giving the correct dose!!!! It is often quite small, (0.05ml for example it is easy to deliver 0.5 mL incorrectly.) Double check the dose amount and the markings on the syringe.

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I mean it says .4 ml by mouth. Maybe I'm just new to this, but there doesn't seem to be a lot. I guess we will just have to find out.

How long is the perscription supposed to last?

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

How long is the perscription supposed to last?

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Well the vet wanted to do another check up in 2 weeks so maybe they're just trying to figure out what will work best

A lot of people keep them on paper and they are fine. Mine have been on newspaper for years.

As for the mites, wood mites are different than reptile mites. Although, I'm a firm believer in getting mites from pet stores that keep the bedding anywhere near the reptiles. Mites get everywhere, and I don't doubt that they could get in the bedding and wait to come home with you. I freeze any bedding I get from the pet store for that very reason. Also, snake shows are another easy way to pick them up.