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New BP owner paranoid with shedding
I bought my first ball python (and first snake I have ever even touched!) on 09/25/19 from Mike Wilbanks, and she had eaten the day prior. She is a Pastel Sugar. I named her Willow and I adore her. She hasn't once hissed or tried to strike at me and seems extremely docile and curious the couple times I have handled her. I have been successfully feeding her two fuzzies at a time on Monday evenings, in fact, she is so aggressive and eager that when she strikes at the mice I jump and have even dropped the tongs before with how much it startles me. :O
I have two fuzzies left I am planning on feeding her tonight, and have already bought small mice to start her on next week. She was born on 07/10/2019, and as of 10/14/19 weighs 98g. I keep her in a plastic tub with an UTH with a thermostat that I set to 94. The first two weeks of having her I had the humidity at about 50-55%. During week two I left for a few days to visit my dad, and left my bp in my boyfriends care. He gave me daily updates about her humidity and temperature, which was 50% at the time.
When I returned on the 7th, I went to feed her and noticed that she was looking very wrinkly. I assumed that she was getting ready to shed due to there being skin peeled back under her jaw, but went ahead and fed her because she was in her "strike pose". She ate eagerly. The same night I also created a humidity box out of a food container and damp paper towels. I have only seen her go inside it once. A few days passed and I was concerned that she was looking even more wrinkly, and still not yet shedding. I began to do research and found the care sheets provided on this site, and decided to give her a 20 minute soak in shallow warm water to see if it helped, and afterwards ran her through a damp washcloth. A small piece of shed came off of her head, but nothing more seemed to budge. I taped up some holes in her tub and moved the water bowl to the warm side, and successfully bumped the humidity up to 65%. This was around 3 or 4 days ago. She is displaying all of the "shedding" behaviors, by rubbing her head on her water bowl and hides. She appears to have an eye cap off on one side, but the other one is looking dry. To me her skin looks loose and ready to come off.
Should I leave her alone and wait, or give her another soak? I did pick her up today to weigh her and take some photos to upload here, I hope that didn't mess it up even more. I don't want to stress her out, but I'm becoming worried that she has a fully retained shed or is dehydrated. I checked her for mites, and checked and washed her whole enclosure just in case and never found any. Should I wait and see if she sheds, soak her, or do I need to rush her to a veterinarian ASAP? I want to be the best snake mom I can be, and I'm worried I'm not doing a good job. :worry:
This was 09/25/19 the day I got her:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ko-...ew?usp=sharinghttps://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil..._first_day.png
This was on 10/09/19 when I started to worry:
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...w_week_ago.png
These two are as of 10/14/19:
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...ow_today_2.png
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...ow_today_1.png
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Dehydrated. The ambient humidity should be over 55% at all times.
Kaos Balls
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Quote:
Originally Posted by Godzilla78
Dehydrated. The ambient humidity should be over 55% at all times.
Kaos Balls
I realized that when I got back from my trip and did more research. What I'm trying to do now is help her however I can, because I'm not sure bumping the humidity up to 65% was enough.
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luraelyn
I realized that when I got back from my trip and did more research. What I'm trying to do now is help her however I can, because I'm not sure bumping the humidity up to 65% was enough.
Part of the problem was that you fed her during shed: digestion requires extra hydration from a snake's body, and so does shedding (snakes secrete a bit of moisture
between the old & new skin prior to the old skin sloughing off), so for a snake with inadequate humidity, the meal complicated her shed. Many snakes (especially those
well-hydrated & with proper humidity) can "multi-task" pretty well, but when they don't have optimum humidity, that's where you get in trouble like this, for future ref.
If she was my snake, I'd give her another soak, then some time enclosed with a very damp towel or very damp moss for a while, & thereafter give her a humid
hide that she can access at will. But right now, it's mandatory...you need to help her "undress" 'cause it just doesn't get any easier when it's crinkled like this.
Better to wait for snakes to complete shedding than to feed because they look hungry, because IF they need help, the handling (shedding help) can cause a
regurgitation of their meal...so be especially gentle with any assistance. It just would have been better not to have to worry about a regurge, but it's done now.
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bogertophis
Part of the problem was that you fed her during shed: digestion requires extra hydration from a snake's body, and so does shedding (snakes secrete a bit of moisture
between the old & new skin prior to the old skin sloughing off), so for a snake with inadequate humidity, the meal complicated her shed. Many snakes (especially those
well-hydrated & with proper humidity) can "multi-task" pretty well, but when they don't have optimum humidity, that's where you get in trouble like this, for future ref.
If she was my snake, I'd give her another soak, then some time enclosed with a very damp towel or very damp moss for a while, & thereafter give her a humid
hide that she can access at will. But right now, it's mandatory...you need to help her "undress" 'cause it just doesn't get any easier when it's crinkled like this.
My understanding was that the water in the mouse would help re-hydrate the snake, which I found on some threads. I even found a recommendation that feeding bigger prey should help a snake shed, so I assumed it was alright to feed her. I certainly won't do so again. Because she's so small I didn't want to starve her... I guess that was my mistake. I feel terrible that I messed this up. :(
I did already provide her with a humid hide on 10/09/19, which she used once. I guess I'm going to go soak her now and hope it helps. Thank you for the advice!
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luraelyn
My understanding was that the water in the mouse would help re-hydrate the snake, which I found on some threads. I even found a recommendation that feeding bigger prey should help a snake shed, so I assumed it was alright to feed her. I certainly won't do so again. Because she's so small I didn't want to starve her... I guess that was my mistake. I feel terrible that I messed this up. :(
I did already provide her with a humid hide on 10/09/19, which she used once. I guess I'm going to go soak her now and hope it helps. Thank you for the advice!
No, about the "water in the mouse would help re-hydrate the snake"... it's really better to avoid feeding a snake that's shedding; many snakes instinctively refuse to eat, but even though a young snake is hungry & wants to eat, they do better doing "one thing at a time". It's not the end of the world though & you'll know better next time. :)
If in doubt (about feeding & the state of their hydration) wait it out...:snake: Feeding larger prey would just be THAT much HARDER. :rolleyes: You can't believe everything you read online. A poorly hydrated snake that's fed larger prey is even MORE likely to regurgitate it...their body won't be able to handle it.
FYI, anyone taking in a "rescue snake" (in poor under-fed condition): hydration is always the first thing, only after that is addressed comes food. Without hydration, snakes cannot digest properly, & since regurgitation (especially of larger prey) can even KILL a snake, you want to preclude that from happening.
Your heart's in the right place, just need more experience & knowing who & what to believe online. Don't beat yourself up, we've all blown it at times. Myself & others here have been keeping snakes since before there were forums to ask. ;)
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Especially when prey is thawed in water, some of us have pointed out that the extra moisture does help with hydration for the snake, but it's never enough to make up for the amount needed to digest; digestion requires extra moisture from the snake's body, & so does shedding. Doing both simultaneously is a bad idea for snakes whose humidity has not been optimal, OR, if their diet hasn't been adequate: for example, a poorly fed snake may need time to replenish their digestive enzymes...to do that requires good quality food & enough of it. (This is why snakes that have been fed pinky rodents when they should have moved up to more appropriately-sized prey may also have trouble shedding...it may not be a lack of hydration but due to a nutritional lack instead.)
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Alright, so I soaked her for about 45 minutes and spent a great deal of time working her shed off, and I got it off most of her body. I was unsuccessful with getting it off her head though. What should I do to help with the head?
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil..._shed_help.png
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Personally, I assist (& persist). ;) The head (eyes & chin esp.) are usually the most stuck. Be sure you check the tail tip though...a few sheds left on can cut off the
blood circulation causing tissue death & loss of tip. (it's already the part with the least circulation...like feet in humans) You can give her a break for a while though-
leave her in a container w/ damp towel (at warmish cage temps), mist her head now & then, etc. The longer you leave stuck shed, usually the harder it is to remove. Be very gentle about eye caps...they often come off as snakes slide thru terry towel after soaks/misting.
She's a pretty one, btw...& don't worry, she'll forgive you. :snake:
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luraelyn
Alright, so I soaked her for about 45 minutes and spent a great deal of time working her shed off, and I got it off most of her body. I was unsuccessful with getting it off her head though. What should I do to help with the head?
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil..._shed_help.png
If the shed is not stuck around its neck or by the tail area, relax. I'm assuming this is his first stuck shed? It takes several for it become serious.
This is what worked for me:
For the first 12 hours from the time I notice there is possible stuck shed, I leave it alone. Raise the humidity up to 70%, place something or make sure there is something rough for him to rub against (ie a small brick or blunt rock), move the water bowl half way to the UTH, cover the lid, etc. I let it do its thing. By the time I return, some stuck shed had been removed by the snake. This helps reduces the amount of time and work I need to get the stuck shed off= less stress on the snake.
Most likely after that period is over, you will need to get involved. Get a small tub and fill it with luke warm water. Only add enough water to soak the belly. I know it is very little but when I tried this with my bp when he was a baby, even though the water was very shallow, he stuffed his face underwater. Since then, I just don't trust them. I would gently pour the water to cover its either body from head to the tip of the tail. Close the lid of the tub and supervise for 15 min.
Find a rubber glove, or anything rubbery that you can hold and use. I like using the rubber brush that is sold for removing pet hair on furniture.
Remove snake and place it on a towel, with one hand holding and rubbing the towel against the belly when the snake moves around. With the other hand, use the rubber glove and gently rub the stuck shed area at the direction going from head to tail. Try not to peel it using your finger nails. If done correctly, the shed would come off easily in small pieces. Don't use the rubber item if the snake is dry.
For retained eye caps, I never had this issue so I can't help you with that but I have heard soaking helps as well. I don't like to touch the eyes, and while there are some who said you can use tape to remove them, for its first stuck eye cap, the risk of injury is too high.
Hopefully this helps solve some of your probs.
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Forgot to add: if he has not shed yet, don't bathe him. Let him be. Just follow the first part I wrote about making sure the humidity is high, etc.
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Off-topic but just out of curiosity, how was your experience buying from Mike Wilbanks? He ships his snakes the day after it eats? Is he responsive when you have questions?
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheesenugget
Off-topic but just out of curiosity, how was your experience buying from Mike Wilbanks? He ships his snakes the day after it eats? Is he responsive when you have questions?
The employee who I spoke to was very informative and helpful regarding my questions! She wasn't shipped, I actually live in Oklahoma so I was able to just drive by and pick her up with no worries about shipping and handling. I picked her up 24 hours after she had eaten, which is what they recommended me to do because I had purchased her online the day before feeding.
Earlier I was successful in getting all of the stuck shed off besides the area around her head. I tried to gently run a damp washcloth along the eyecap and she was NOT having it, so I decided I would raise the humidity up to 70% like you said and possibly try again tomorrow.
Tonight is usually her feeding night, I'm assuming I have put her through enough today to feed her. Should I feed her tomorrow, or make sure the stuck shed is all the way off first? I'm considering trying the damp pillowcase trick tomorrow, I've heard of people having good success with it, and I'm sure she would rather be rubbing it off on her own rather than me rubbing stuff on her head over and over.
Edit: I forgot to mention, that yes I did get the shed off her tail tip!
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
My BP shed recently and he got all his shed off but on his head. I soaked him one night in shallow water for about 15ins then tried using a damp rag on him but had little success getting it off. The next day it looked aweful with little bits of skin sticking out all over his head. So I soaked him again for longer like 30inites or more. Then I used a towel over his body to help hold him still a bit and used a damp paper towel to gently rub all the shed off his face. He didn't like it much but after a few seconds or so he basically just let me do it. Using the towel over his body and gently holding him still helped. Hopefully, I can avoid this happening again. It does stress them out a bit but they will feel much better with that shed off. I don't guess it stressed him out too bad as he has always eaten like a champ.
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Sooooo I randomly spray all the vivs but when they go into shed I then spray each day ..... and then when the eyes clear up and they get their colour back I start spraying well two or three times daily -then they shed perfectly.
If there’s any stubborn skin still on it just get a very damp , rough textured towel and wrap the snake up in it and then let it slither around inside the towel ...any loose bits come off easily
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Well, it's been a couple days and I'm still struggling to get the stuck shed off her head. The last time I soaked her was yesterday, and I've given her a day to chill out before I did anything more. I upped the humidity to 65-70%, and she's actually managed to rub little bits off of what's left. It also is appearing to separate more from her actual skin, so from my perspective, she will soon get it off herself. If it goes much longer though, I may just have to bite the bullet and pay a vet bill to have a veterinarian get it off her eyes, which are the part I'm most concerned about. Thank you all for the suggestions! We are certainly doing better than where we started.
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Any retained , stubborn skin can be easily sorted .. get a very damp , rough textured towel and wrap the snake up in it - let the snake slither around as long as possible.. when it’s head pops out just cover it up again with the excess towel ..as it’s slithering around you should apply very gentle pressure to the head region and after a while the skin will just come off nice and gently ON the towel
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zincubus
Any retained , stubborn skin can be easily sorted .. get a very damp , rough textured towel and wrap the snake up in it - let the snake slither around as long as possible.. when it’s head pops out just cover it up again with the excess towel ..as it’s slithering around you should apply very gentle pressure to the head region and after a while the skin will just come off nice and gently ON the towel
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Well, I guess I'll try again. The last time I soaked her she was extremely head shy, to the point of me being unable to really touch her head with a towel. I'll try wrapping her up this time. At this point though, I get a little more nervous every time I soak her, because I really hate to think that I'm stressing her out. I think this will be the 4th time. I don't know why the head is so ridiculously stuck! Wish me luck!
Edit: To clarify, this is the 4th attempt trying to get this shed off, not the 4th soak. After the 1st 20 minute soak majority of the shed came off, and the second soak took care of her tail tip. The third time I tried the damp pillowcase trick for about 30 minutes, which didn't work at all. This is my 4th time soaking her.
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luraelyn
Well, I guess I'll try again. The last time I soaked her she was extremely head shy, to the point of me being unable to really touch her head with a towel. I'll try wrapping her up this time. At this point though, I get a little more nervous every time I soak her, because I really hate to think that I'm stressing her out. I think this will be the 4th time. I don't know why the head is so ridiculously stuck! Wish me luck!
Edit: To clarify, this is the 4th attempt trying to get this shed off, not the 4th soak. After the 1st 20 minute soak majority of the shed came off, and the second soak took care of her tail tip. The third time I tried the damp pillowcase trick for about 30 minutes, which didn't work at all. This is my 4th time soaking her.
Well the towel method works great ..
Has to be a rather damp ( not cold ) rough textured towel .. wrap the snake up well and apply very , very gentle pressure to the snake as it slithers around .. if it’s head pops out just cover it again with the excess towel ..
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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Snake's heads have a lot of different sized scales, some very small, & many snakes don't enjoy rubbing their faces on things either. Maybe those are some of the
reasons their sheds stick more on "top"? Or maybe they just like to dare us to get near their teeth to help...? :D But even though our help initially stresses them
(just feels all wrong), I've never had a snake bite me for persisting, & many seem to not only get that it's helping but also are relieved when rid of the stuck shed.
As I've said before, I've found that waiting generally makes the shed even harder to get off.
Some have posted that soaking snakes makes the process worse because it dries out their skin oils. I will say that I'm "on the fence" about this because most of the
time, a soak has helped in my experiences, but a few times, it appeared not to. :confusd: It may depend on individual snakes, having good digestion so that the fats in their
diet are properly utilized. I say this because I once HAD a snake that had poor digestion (trouble digesting fats): this was obvious, he failed to gain weight, & his stools
were smelly & oily. Just like humans or any other animals, not all are created (or end up) "equal" in terms of functions we take for granted, and maybe some snakes
have drier skin than others do, who knows?
Anyway, a soak may not help a snake shed their heads, since they don't keep their heads submerged at all, & we cannot do that either since they need to breathe.
Wrapping her in a towel, sitting & relaxing with her on your lap is what I'd do...& gently keep dabbing her head with a damp rag or sponge. Try using one of those
rubber finger tips* too, it might help you rub off the old skin. Gentle restraint, patience & persistence...& for sure, good luck!
*https://www.officedepot.com/a/produc...3-34-Diameter/ -or use a rubber glove?
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
We did it! What I ended up doing was soaking her for 20 minutes, then running her through a damp washcloth. This managed to get the shed on the base of her neck off, but not her head. Through all this though, I could see that I managed to break off a little flap at the base of her nose, and really moisten up the skin on her head. All of this took a LOT of patience as messing with her head very much offended Willow. So what I ended up doing was taking tweezers and VERY gently pulling up the flap a tiny bit, then I used my thumb to rub it back over and over until the shed left on her head came off. I had thought that she only had one eye cap to lose, but both came off!!
I am so immensely relieved that this is over with. Since the start of this I have gotten a MUCH better hold on the humidity and temperatures in her tub, and I will modify the humidity box I made to have moss instead of paper towels. Hopefully this will prevent this happening again in the future!
I would like to thank you all for the help and tips! I'm not sure how I would have handled this without this forum.
Willow, beautiful and bright eyed now that that yucky skin is off!
(I am giving her a few days off from any handling, because I feel this past week of working off shed was very stressful for her.)
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...etely_shed.png
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Good job! I'm sure she is much happier now.
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakemom85
Good job! I'm sure she is much happier now.
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I think she definitely is! She seemed to calm right down once those eye caps came off.
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Re: New BP owner paranoid with shedding
Wonderful !!!
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Perfect! :gj: :dance: She's beautiful, & now she feels beautiful too. This was also LESS stressful than taking her to the vet for help...
and you've shown her that you're not so bad after all. :D
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