ETB bad stuck shed even with high humidity

[wnateg]

I have had samantha through 3 or 4 sheds, and they've never been that great. Usually they come off in pieces but at least the eye caps and everything come off. Unfortunately, this time the stuck shed is terrible; her head and neck is totally stuck, eye caps included, and about half her body. But here's the weird part. For awhile (the past two sheds at least), her cage has been misted everyday at 9 am for 1 minute. That kicks up the humidity to 90% and it drops to a low of mid 70s at night. I have double checked this with two different hygrometers, so the measures are presumably accurate. Up to 90% humidity and her shed is this bad? I dont get it.

Plus, I have bathed her for 20 minutes in mid 80s water. Barely any shed came off. Waited another day. Bathed her again for 20 minutes again. Barely any shed came off. Waited another day. Then today I tried the pillowcase trick of putting her in a damp pillowcase with damp towels for about 25 minutes. No shed came off. She still has almost her entire head piece and neck.

What do I do next? Continue to bath her? I've added another minute mist at 6pm everyday. But that probably wont do much for the stuck shed. She's supposed to eat tomorrow? Do I feed her? I'm leaning towards not.

Is there something that can cause bad sheds besides humidity? She's wild caught, so I dont know her age, but I assume she's not THAT old.

Thanks for the help!

[Bogertophis]

You mention she's a wild caught...ever have her stool checked for parasites? Because they can cause major dehydration (to the point of death if bad enough & no help).

Did you feed her while she's in the shed cycle? That can do it also. Both digestion & shedding deplete a snake's hydration, many snakes don't do both at the same time all that well.

[wnateg]

You mention she's a wild caught...ever have her stool checked for parasites? Because they can cause major dehydration (to the point of death if bad enough & no help).

That's very interesting. I have not, but I've had for one year (and 3 days), would there not have been other noticable symptoms during that time? Theres some in her enclosure that I can bag up to test, but it's been there for a few weeks (bioactive setup). Is it too late to test it?

[wnateg]

Did you feed her while she's in the shed cycle? That can do it also. Both digestion & shedding deplete a snake's hydration, many snakes don't do both at the same time all that well.

She last ate 3/7. I did not notice her in shed, but the time frame means she could've been.

[Bogertophis]

That's very interesting. I have not, but I've had for one year (and 3 days), would there not have been other noticable symptoms during that time? Theres some in her enclosure that I can bag up to test, but it's been there for a few weeks (bioactive setup). Is it too late to test it?

Needs to be fresh stool to test. Way too late.

Not necessarily would you have "other noticeable symptoms" over the last year, but you did mention she's had some shed issues anyway, just not this bad.
Can take some time for parasites to reproduce to high enough numbers to cause the more significant symptoms.

[wnateg]

Needs to be fresh stool to test. Way too late.

Not necessarily would you have "other noticeable symptoms" over the last year, but you did mention she's had some shed issues anyway, just not this bad.
Can take some time for parasites to reproduce to high enough numbers to cause the more significant symptoms.

I figured as such. I will clean it out, and I suppose I will feed her tomorrow and hope she has to go.

And continue to bath her? I don't want to put too much stress on her, but it has to be done or it stays stuck I guess.

[Bogertophis]

You'll have to decide where the balance lies, it's your snake & you know her, I don't- but old shed never gets easier to come off, so personally I'd find ways to help with it.

[Bogertophis]

She last ate 3/7. I did not notice her in shed, but the time frame means she could've been.

We all blow it sometimes, & snakes know they're going into a shed before we can see any evidence. Many snakes (especially younger ones, & captive-bred ones) have no problem with eating while in shed, but if there's anything else going on (like parasites or less than perfect health), it can "snowball" & make for a bad shed.

[AbsoluteApril]

I agree with checking for parasites.

I've dealt with bad sheds from my ATBs here and there, my advise is - a 20 min soak won't do much. I set up a sauna for them: tub with about 1-2" of water, with a sturdy bowl in there so they have something to hang out on, over a heat pad and I let them sit for about 3-4 hours. Then hand shed time with a bitey tree noodle. Will repeat for a few days as needed. Usually works pretty well. Stuck shed suck, good luck with her!

[wnateg]

I agree with checking for parasites.

I've dealt with bad sheds from my ATBs here and there, my advise is - a 20 min soak won't do much. I set up a sauna for them: tub with about 1-2" of water, with a sturdy bowl in there so they have something to hang out on, over a heat pad and I let them sit for about 3-4 hours. Then hand shed time with a bitey tree noodle. Will repeat for a few days as needed. Usually works pretty well. Stuck shed suck, good luck with her!

Sounds good. I will try that. Thanks. I will also get her poop tested as soon as she goes again. Luckily, shes very docile, so I dont expect bites. Knock on wood!