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Bad Shed - help!

N

nerdbird

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Hello everyone,
I'm a new owner; I've only had my ball python (Möbius) for 3-4 weeks, and this is his first time going through a shed since I've had him. Not sure if it matters, but he is young - the shop I got him from said he's about four months old. Last week I was on vacation over the holiday, and he stayed with my friend. During that time, he went into shed. I know their house is particularly dry. I tried misting his cage when I got him home and he was still in the blue, but it seems it was too little too late.
When he started shedding, he got his chin started fine, but it broke off just past his jaw, and he had a difficult time getting the top of his head started. His shed has been coming off in pieces, and I think it's mostly gone at this point. I've been soaking him 15-20 mins in warm water w/ a little bit of vitamin e baby oil. I let him move through a warm washcloth a few times, and that's helped loosen a lot of the skin on his belly and back.
What I'm particularly worried about is the eye caps. One of them seems to have come off completely, but it looks like there is a partial one still attached to his left eye (picture attached). Does anyone have any tips?

I just want my baby to be comfortable and healthy. Thank you so much!
 

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You may be able to rub it gently with your finger & get it to peel back. If it has peeled back you may be able to use tweezers to get it rest of the way off. Be very careful if you try with the tweezers. If it dont come off he will probably be ok until his next shed. Make sure you keep his humidity up or spray him when he is going into shed next. Good luck.
Chris
 
I agree with Christopher. A single retained eye cap is not cause for concern. Sometimes the eye will remain wrinkled following a shed, resembling a retained eye cap. Be very careful you actually do have a retained eye cap and not simply a wrinkled, new eye cap. You could severely damage the eye trying to 'help' the snake remove an eye cap that is actually new.

That said, soaking the snake in just water is fine, then use your fingernails to scratch at the edges of the eye. If the edge of the eye cap doesn't make itself apparent, leave it. It will come off with the next shed. I would avoid using vitamin E oil. The lubrication is unnecessary, and the vitamin E doesn't really give any benefits to your snake.
 
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