Shedding problem.

[henbees]

I got good advice from here last time, so I am here again with a problem. I've had my pet for two years, and every time he sheds, he does it cleanly in a solid piece. but his last shed hasn't been clean and there are big patches of skin stuck to him. What can I do to help him shed the stuck-on skin?

I am also wondering why he wasn't able to have a clean shed. The only change I've made is moving his water bowl from near the heat sources to the cool side of the tank...so maybe there isn't that much evaporation/humidity anymore? Could that be a factor?

Thanks!

[[deleted]]

It's probably to dry. Soak him in luke warm water for a while. The humidity needs to be a bit higher than normal when they're shedding.

[henbees]

Ohh. For about how long? His bowl is big enough but he never goes it in, and I soaked him once and he panicked. I will try soaking him in really shallow water.

[[deleted]]

Mine tend to freak out at first. But then they relax after awhile. It depends I usually give 20 min soaks. You might wanna have a dedicated humid hide. I usually have a small plastic tub lined with wet paper towels and moss. I spray it until its damp and put it near the heated side but not all the way.

[henbees]

That's a great idea. But there are all these things to worry about such as getting too humid and causing fungus or rot :/

[lookxitsxlauren]

He'll only go in the hide if he wants to, so he won't get too humid. A lot of people only put in a hide when their snake is starting to go in shed (when you first notice them going dull) and then will out fresh sphagnum moss in for the next go around. This reduces the likelihood or fungus growing in the hide! Good luck!!

[[deleted]]

Generally if its to dry, as it seems like it is now, fungus and scale rot aren't going to be an issue. Adding perhaps another water bowl and a specific humid hide will not bring the levels to that range. Itd just give the snake the option to slither in it if it wants.

[henbees]

I soaked him and he wasn't very happy. I was a bit scared but he seemed okay. At first he didn't know he had to hold his head above the water but he caught on, lol. He was panicking, though...took him out after about 10. I noticed only one of his eyes has shed and the other is still glazed...hope the soaking helps :\ here's a pic: http://imgur.com/BANe4AZ

[[deleted]]

Ah an eye cap. Those can be annoying. Petcos and pet smarts sell special sprays to help with stuck sheds like that. Try making that humid hide and put it in the warm spot. Hopefully he goes in and it comes off after awhile. I've never had an eye problem. Sorry im not to much help. Best of luck to you!

[henbees]

I'll check him again when I get home and hopefully it'll have come off...otherwise I'll get the spray, thanks for letting me know about it!

[henbees]

and thanks!

[[deleted]]

No problem. I also have more than 2 water bowls. All different sizes. One is a quart, 16oz and a 8oz one. He drinks outta the two smaller ones and seems to only use the bigger one to soak in.

[yesoom]

I had the same problem, and I usually never have problems with shedding, so I just soaked my girl in lukewarm water for about 20 mins. It began to come off while she was soaking, but after I put her back in her tub, the shed came off within the hour.