Bizarre/Embarrassing problem: Duct tape residue on snake

This is pretty embarrassing, but my BP managed to knock over his water bowl, which sogged up and caused one of his temporary cardboad box hides to fall apart. That cardboard hide was reinforced with duct tape, which became exposed. The duct tape got stuck to the BP real good. I got the tape off him, but there is still duct tape residue. I tried some rubbing alcohol and light hand soap, and a warm bath, but the residue wont come off. Should I just hope it comes off next shed?

:please:

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Originally Posted by Skitals

This is pretty embarrassing, but my BP managed to knock over his water bowl, which sogged up and caused one of his temporary cardboad box hides to fall apart. That cardboard hide was reinforced with duct tape, which became exposed. The duct tape got stuck to the BP real good. I got the tape off him, but there is still duct tape residue. I tried some rubbing alcohol and light hand soap, and a warm bath, but the residue wont come off. Should I just hope it comes off next shed?

:please:

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you should never use cardboard hides!
you should never have any kind of tape where a snake should get to it!
you should never use rubbing alcohol on any reptile! EVER!

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Originally Posted by Skitals

This is pretty embarrassing, but my BP managed to knock over his water bowl, which sogged up and caused one of his temporary cardboad box hides to fall apart. That cardboard hide was reinforced with duct tape, which became exposed. The duct tape got stuck to the BP real good. I got the tape off him, but there is still duct tape residue. I tried some rubbing alcohol and light hand soap, and a warm bath, but the residue wont come off. Should I just hope it comes off next shed?

:please:

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This is a perfect example of why duct tape should never ever be used in an enclosure.

I would just keep trying with the warm baths, and lightly rubbing it off.

Yes continue the warm baths, and gently very very gently try to get the residue off.

I agree you should continue with luke warm baths, and I think it should come off with the snake's next shed.

Ty all... I have definitely learned my lesson regarding tape in and around the enclosure. But why can't you use rubbing alcohol on reptiles? Haven't heard that before. I rinsed him off in the warm bath and dried him after using the alcohol so hopefully he is okay.

I hate to say it, but the high and mighty are a little too high atm.....

Rub some dust on the residue, and forget about it until the snake sheds. Poof, both temporary and long term problems solved easily, and without malicious reprimands. Wow, I can't believe how easy that was!!

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Originally Posted by Ben Biscy

I hate to say it, but the high and mighty are a little too high atm.....

Rub some dust on the residue, and forget about it until the snake sheds. Poof, both temporary and long term problems solved easily, and without malicious reprimands. Wow, I can't believe how easy that was!!

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And I can't believe that I agree with you 100%.

Come on guys, this isn't someone abusing his snake, it's a newb that made a boo boo.

Jeez.....

As far as rubbing alcohol, I know of no reason not to use it if you feel the need.

Get a nice plastic or ceramic hide and he'll be fine until his next shed.

Really.

Some of you should really check your manners.

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Originally Posted by nixer

you should never use rubbing alcohol on any reptile! EVER!

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Why not? I know of quite a few breeders that do for superficial injuries. Do you know something?

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Originally Posted by nixer

you should never use cardboard hides!

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Why not? Just means they're disposable. When they get soiled you just toss it and put a new one in.

Never had to remove tape from a snake, but isn't peanut butter supposed to help (as bizarre as that sounds)? Or is that to remove bubblegum from hair?

Hey, we all make mistakes early on.....and later on as well. It sounds like you learned something from this, so that's a positive thing.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Why not? I know of quite a few breeders that do for superficial injuries. Do you know something?

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http://www.cumberlandswan.com/ipa.pdf

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Originally Posted by m00kfu

Why not? Just means they're disposable. When they get soiled you just toss it and put a new one in.

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they also collect and harbor black mold and bacteria

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Never had to remove tape from a snake, but isn't peanut butter supposed to help (as bizarre as that sounds)? Or is that to remove bubblegum from hair?

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I know it works for hair.

You could stick paper towels to the residue if it's still sticky and it won't hurt the snake at all. It's skin is similar to your fingernail in that anything on it will eventually grow off it, generally at the very next sloughing of skin for the snake as opposed to a few weeks for the fingernail, but it's similar in function and painlessness.

I know you can use neosporin snakes if they have a little boo boo and that neosporin being greasy it may just take the tape glue off. We use Vaseline on duct tape residue at school in my ag class. I don't know if Vaseline is safe tho.

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Originally Posted by nixer

http://www.cumberlandswan.com/ipa.pdf

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Ok, now we know you can not only use Google but copy and past as well.

What's your point? You were asked a specific question. WHY should we not use alcohol on snakes?

Do you have an answer or is that flapping I hear, buttcheek wise, that is?

on the instructions for sticky traps it says you can remove whatever is stuck with cooking oil (same principle as peanut butter i suppose) ,i've never tried it as i use sticky traps for wild rodents in the attic.

i would think alcohol would dry the skin plus it doesn't cut the sticky residue.

I used a tiny bit of olive oil when I had a tape incident. Came right off.

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I made a lot of newbie mistakes... sad thing is I'm not a complete newb :tears: Before college I had a lot of experience... I kept balls, corns, a boa, and leopard geckos. Not to mention I worked in a pet shop for 2 years. Now that I'm done school I decided to get back into the hobby. I'm pretty bummed to make such an amateur mistake. Next time I have him out, I might try some olive oil. But for now, he is staying put and getting time to relax after this little ordeal.

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Originally Posted by Skitals

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I made a lot of newbie mistakes... sad thing is I'm not a complete newb :tears: Before college I had a lot of experience... I kept balls, corns, a boa, and leopard geckos. Not to mention I worked in a pet shop for 2 years. Now that I'm done school I decided to get back into the hobby. I'm pretty bummed to make such an amateur mistake. Next time I have him out, I might try some olive oil. But for now, he is staying put and getting time to relax after this little ordeal.

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Your mistake will help others learn. It's an example that will show others what could happen. :]
No big deal, even the 'experts' can do things wrong.

I'm proud of you for coming on here and asking for help while admitting your mistake! A real life friend of mine refuses to take a cardboard box with duct tape on it out of her corn snake cage. Has two corns in a cage too.. sigh. She says she's taught me 'everything' I know about snakes too..

I didn't think about it, but olive oil sounds like a good plan. Good luck and I'm sure he'll be fine.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

Ok, now we know you can not only use Google but copy and past as well.

What's your point? You were asked a specific question. WHY should we not use alcohol on snakes?

Do you have an answer or is that flapping I hear, buttcheek wise, that is?

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Yea.... that's pretty much what I'd like to know...

Nixer,

Would you like me to give you the MSDS for chlorhexidine, iodine, and other scrubs or antiseptics? What does it prove?

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Originally Posted by nixer

http://www.cumberlandswan.com/ipa.pdf



they also collect and harbor black mold and bacteria

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You mean like wood shavings can do? If the conditions in your caging are bad enough that mold is growing on ANYTHING in there, it's long over due for a cleaning. There's nothing wrong with cardboard in the cage as long as you don't keep it around after it's soiled.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Yea.... that's pretty much what I'd like to know...

Nixer,

Would you like me to give you the MSDS for chlorhexidine, iodine, and other scrubs or antiseptics? What does it prove?

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I think he's referring to the fumes it puts off. I really don't know, but some of these comments are rude. We need to cool off, and ask in a professional manner. It maybe related to the same reason when you clean with bleach you dilute and rinse. We aren't going to get any answers by insults, and I for one would like to know the negative effects of alcohol if there are any.

well...coming from a medical assistants' point of view, rubbing alcohol does not get used on human skin, unless diluted...even hydrogen peroxide shouldn't be used often on people unless diluted, so on snakes..hmmm.....just some input :)

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Originally Posted by spalding11

well...coming from a medical assistants' point of view, rubbing alcohol does not get used on human skin, unless diluted...even hydrogen peroxide shouldn't be used often on people unless diluted, so on snakes..hmmm.....just some input :)

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I wonder if there are any differences between snake skin and human skin that would render your contribution irrelevant? Something about the pourousnous of one vs. the non-pourousnous of the other....

As a laid off graphic designer, I'd like to add that peanut butter can be hazardous to those with allergies, but a manly man can stick an entire arm in pure isopropyl alcohol and be back on his feet within 36 hours. The capital of Norway is Oslo, and they have several species of fungus including the red banded polyspore mushroom. :weirdface

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Originally Posted by spalding11

well...coming from a medical assistants' point of view, rubbing alcohol does not get used on human skin, unless diluted...even hydrogen peroxide shouldn't be used often on people unless diluted, so on snakes..hmmm.....just some input :)

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you've never cleansed an injection or venipuncture site with rubbing alcohol? And ear lavage is done with hydrogen peroxide, which can also be used as a mouthwash.

I'm not sure about rubbing alcohol but I can tell you that I can't imagine it being very effective in removing adhesive residue to start with. I think a warm water and mild unscented baby soap wash should do the trick no worry's.

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Originally Posted by Ponthieux

you've never cleansed an injection or venipuncture site with rubbing alcohol? And ear lavage is done with hydrogen peroxide, which can also be used as a mouthwash.

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injections are diluted rubbing alcohol, and ear lavage's are also diluted with mostly water...



i was just saying that it can potentially damage skin, and my thinking is if it can do that, it can do it to scales too...thanks for the "polite" comments regarding my previous statement, sure does make one feel welcome to the conversation....i thought we all had a right to input on questions/concerns for a snake owners benefit...call me crazy:rolleyes:

back it up, back it up. no one being impolite. just asking a question. prozac helps!

I tried a little bit of olive oil followed by another soak. That definitely worked best. I could have gotten it all off with more time, but he wasn't enjoying himself. Undue stress will surely cause more harm then a little residue. All seems to be good, and none of this has messed up his daily routine (comes out of his hide at exactly midnight and looks for ways to escape all night haha).

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Originally Posted by nixer

you should never use cardboard hides!
you should never have any kind of tape where a snake should get to it!
you should never use rubbing alcohol on any reptile! EVER!

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CAN NOT agree with this more!!!!

Knock it off! I think you sound impolite, and your comments aren't even referring to me. We should welcome all comments, and stop criticizing people. Everybody is welcome here, and we need to quit giving this site a bad reputation. I've read a few forums lately where there has been name calling, rude comments, and snide remarks. It makes me want to stop checking the forums for interest conversation. :mad:

Edit: sorry scales, i wasn't paying attention. This post should be directed at everyone.

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

I really don't know, but some of these comments are rude. We need to cool off, and ask in a professional manner. We aren't going to get any answers by insults,

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Originally Posted by spalding11

thanks for the "polite" comments regarding my previous statement, sure does make one feel welcome to the conversation....i thought we all had a right to input on questions/concerns for a snake owners benefit...call me crazy:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

Knock it off! I think you sound impolite, and your comments aren't even referring to me. We should welcome all comments, and stop criticizing people. Everybody is welcome here, and we need to quit giving this site a bad reputation. I've read a few forums lately where there has been name calling, rude comments, and snide remarks. It makes me want to stop checking the forums for interest conversation. :mad:

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How in the world is directly asking a question an insult?

Oh no, there I go again.... asking questions!

Folks, lets make it clear that the written word is removed from tone of voice and facial expressions, leaving it easy to misconstrue the intent of a message.

To that end, the use of smiley's greatly enhances the "mood" of what was written.

Don't read a direct question as an insult to your intelligence, read it as a question for what it is asking!

Oh so, when someone writes "prozac helps!" You don't see any emotion in this? I do. If it were directed at you i'm sure you would find it offensive. AND this as well "Oh no, there I go again.... asking questions!" I see emotion in that. It's just rude. There is plenty of emotion in written words. Why can't it just be the question instead of the other comments? There were also comments about "oh look he knows how to cut and paste!" where is the direct question there? This forum is just getting sloppy.

annnnnnd this needs locked.. o.p. got the information that he/she needed and this needs to stop.

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

Oh so, when someone writes "prozac helps!" You don't see any emotion in this? I do. If it were directed at you i'm sure you would find it offensive. AND this as well "Oh no, there I go again.... asking questions!" I see emotion in that. It's just rude. There is plenty of emotion in written words. Why can't it just be the question instead of the other comments? There were also comments about "oh look he knows how to cut and paste!" where is the direct question there? This forum is just getting sloppy.

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Were they asking a question when they wrote that prozac helps? I think that is what my entire comment was about.

We're you seriously offended by my comments stated above in your quote? Was I directly try to offend YOU by what I wrote? Some things to think about... Could it have been seen as me cracking a joke at myself because of the turn this thread has taken?

You should also realize that people will type whatever they want, and yes, they will be RUDE. BUT, not agreeing with YOU is not being RUDE.

If you are offended by a simple question asking for further divulging of knowledge, maybe public forums are not well suited towards your needs.

I ask you, take it to an admin (name in red) or a moderator (name in green) if you have a real problem with people or topics in the forum. They will ALWAYS look into anything you bring to them. ;)

Ok. I am sorry, I need to rephrase my concern. Questions do not offend me at all, and i really don't think they offend anyone else. I'm not concerned with the questions. Only the remarks afterwards. That's all I'm saying. A question, and answer is all that is needed. No other potentially harming words. I was not trying to direct this towards any questions, and am sorry if it was misleading.

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

A question, and answer is all that is needed. No other potentially harming words. I was not trying to direct this towards any questions, and am sorry if it was misleading.

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I do not believe this is the true heart of forums. Forums are for discussion, not a question and answer situation like a news conference.

Sometimes it includes pointing out glaring comments or statements for what they are, ridiculous with no hard evidence or proof. Sometimes this includes pointing out a persons short comings in regards to a field that they make claims on, or say without evidence or proof. Like for example, I am not a astrophysicist.

If I made a comment (very enthusiastically) that stars are actually fireflies caught in a large film of tape around the earth, I can guarantee that people will tear me down brick by brick that I AM NOT an astrophysicist, and what I just wrote was a big load of bull hooey.

It may not be pretty, but it is a part of forum life, people do not like to sugar coat, people do not like to "play nice" to spare your feelings. They will say exactly what is on their mind. As long as it follows the TOS that the admins of this site have put up, it will stay there.

If you believe it does not follow the guidelines, then PLEASE do something about it, and report it to a mod or admin, and lead by example. :gj:

Agreed. I would like Alisha to know i appreciate her medical advice, even if it does pertain to humans. I know you weren't trying to compare scales to skin, just stating the strength of alcohol. There may be some knocking in the forums, but remember not everyone agrees. I hope you don't consider leaving because not everyone feels the same way. :) Keep it coming.

wow yall are even trying to turn the most innocent little thread into a kill zone.

Steps out of the messy pool of liquid estrogen that the hug-a-day club left behind.....

And says, I meant what I said exactly as I said it.

It's ridiculous to compare human skin to reptile skin in this instance.

Be insulted. Don't be insulted. Be on topic, which is snake skin, and you'll feel less foolish.

That's the heart of it, isn't it?

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

Oh so, when someone writes "prozac helps!" You don't see any emotion in this? I do. If it were directed at you i'm sure you would find it offensive. AND this as well "Oh no, there I go again.... asking questions!" I see emotion in that. It's just rude. There is plenty of emotion in written words. Why can't it just be the question instead of the other comments? There were also comments about "oh look he knows how to cut and paste!" where is the direct question there? This forum is just getting sloppy.

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guess i'm not the only one getting sick of e-titudes....

It really is easy to be polite and get along. Poster has an excellent point.

i wasn't comparing skin types...i really am not that big of an idiot. i was expressing the concern of the strength it has...



i'm glad the snake is ok, which was my general concern...the end.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

Steps out of the messy pool of liquid estrogen that the hug-a-day club left behind.....

And says, I meant what I said exactly as I said it.

It's ridiculous to compare human skin to reptile skin in this instance.

Be insulted. Don't be insulted. Be on topic, which is snake skin, and you'll feel less foolish.

That's the heart of it, isn't it?

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Hmmmmmmmmmm...you wonder why people think your offensive? Honestly there is no need to say it like that though. Maybe it was "foolish," sorry we can't all be as smart as you. This is why we call these discussion forums, so people can "discuss" things. All you should have said was, " I don't think human skin and reptile skin can really be compared, but thanks for your input." Now listen to this concept smart guy. What if... now this might be a streach, but what if you saaid that instead? Well I wouldn't be typing in this pointless garbage to you right now would I? Nor would all these other people be voicing their opinion on something so childish. See I know you really didn't mean much by it, but look how people to react to stuff like that. Your the foolish one, your the one who should learn how to speak because YOU my friend are the one being disrespectufl. These people can all be of help to someone, no need making someone feel stupid, or out of place. This is a place for friends, and "friendly" discussion and if you cant be friendly then go away...