Stuck shed on head

[dreese88]

my '08 male Pastel is currently going through his first shed with me...it seems as though everything but the skin on his head has come off.I've soaked him with a rag in the water and then run him through the rag...I've put him in the wet pillowcase with a rag...none of this has worked. Any other suggestions?

[TooManyToys]

Did the eye caps come off in the initial shed?

[dreese88]

no...but they're cracked..the skin all over his head looks real dry and ready to come off...it jus seems like he refuses to try and get it off

[dreese88]

I should have mentioned earlier...since this skin is on his head I haven't really messed with it too badly since I know they're head shy...is a trip to a vet in order to remove this or should it just come off with the next shed

[Argentra]

I have a snake with that exact same problem. She's my adult het albino and every shed the same thing. Actually, this time was her best shed yet, and she actually managed to get the middle off in mostly one piece... and now the only part left is her head from the neck up. Happens every time no matter what I do.

Anyway, I have always had to go to my BP breeder friend to have him peel her for me since I'm too chicken to do it myself. A vet would only be necessary if you don't know anyone else who handles snakes regularly and knows how to do it.

And it may come off with the next shed...or not. That wouldn't work with Celeste since she can NEVER get the head piece off herself and her breath whistles with it on because her nostrils are clogged.

[dreese88]

I have a snake with that exact same problem. She's my adult het albino and every shed the same thing. Actually, this time was her best shed yet, and she actually managed to get the middle off in mostly one piece... and now the only part left is her head from the neck up. Happens every time no matter what I do.

Anyway, I have always had to go to my BP breeder friend to have him peel her for me since I'm too chicken to do it myself. A vet would only be necessary if you don't know anyone else who handles snakes regularly and knows how to do it.

And it may come off with the next shed...or not. That wouldn't work with Celeste since she can NEVER get the head piece off herself and her breath whistles with it on because her nostrils are clogged.

Bustos' nostrils aren't covered and this is his first shed with me, so I dont know if it will happen everytime but Albey said he'd been shedding fine for him, so I'll prolly call the vet tomorrow and see what he thinks. Thanks for the help.

[RuGGeR]

Just bum up d humidity a lil bit and he should be ok for the next shed....If they have enough % of humidity, they'll shed gud.... And putting any snake in a totally wet pillow case is a dangerous thing... I have heard snake dided that way....

Just my cheap opinion...

[reptile3]

I just asked a similar question about retaining eye cap...

read Tigerlily reply, there is a great tutorial

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=77329

[dreese88]

I just asked a similar question about retaining eye cap...

read Tigerlily reply, there is a great tutorial

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=77329

I've tried soaking him...I guess since he's so new and I'm so unexperienced I'm just kind of apprehensive about messing with his head. It's his whole head, not just his eyecaps(unsure if this matters) I suppose I'll try again tomorrow night.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Although it's true that they're head shy, they can be acclimated to having their head touched, with patience. Beyond that, gentle but firm restraint is in order to deal with a stuck shed on the head, so you'll just have to hold him still and work on it after he has a good soaking. He will forgive you. lol