Stuck shed???

Hey there. I noticed some shed falling off of my BP’s spine/back. I took a warm wash cloth to it the same as I do when he gets stuck shed, and more kept coming off. I’m concerned because where he’s normally a light brown, the (small) section that washed off is more of a pink brown now. I’m REALLY concerned. He was perfectly content to be washed, it came off exactly like stuck shed did so I just assumed he’d had some leftover since he’s never been particularly good at “one and done”ing it. The “stuck shed” is still on him and loose, should I just leave it? Wash the rest off? Am I overreacting or did I hurt him?

Hard to say what's going on- we're not seeing him. Do be careful- if the "stuck shed" was actually a scab, maybe from a burn or injury? that would explain why you're seeing pink tissue uncovered. If that's the case, you might dab on some diluted Betadine solution (aka povidone-iodine), diluted to look like weak tea- OR, get some Vetericyn brand ointment (made for reptiles) to apply gently- at least a couple times a day while it's healing. Avoid using ointments made for humans (petroleum jelly based) as they cause issues for a snakes future sheds.

I’m starting to think it was some kind of scabbing, he started flinching when I brushed it with my hand. I feel really bad about it but I’ve ordered the ointment to arrive by tomorrow. He seems to be in good spirits at least, I’m mostly just… shocked he was so content with it being washed, or that it fell off so easily.
Regardless, I really appreciate the help. The ointment is on it’s way and I made a call to his vet to get him checked out this week just in case.

Do double check the temps in the enclosure or any decor in there as well. You can also consider just doing a late night check to see what they're up to as well... Sometimes the midnight shenanigans they get into are surprising.

Anything too sharp or rough should be removed just in case
Obviously any high temps would need to be fixed asap in case this is a burn as well.

This did happen right after he got himself stuck on something, the injury isn’t near the part that got stuck though so maybe he was just rubbing it against something? Either way I’m planning to do a look through tomorrow, maybe something in his hide scratched at him and loosened scales. I have off work the next two days so I can at the very least keep an extra close eye on him as needed

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PecanPied

Hey there. I noticed some shed falling off of my BP’s spine/back. I took a warm wash cloth to it the same as I do when he gets stuck shed, and more kept coming off. I’m concerned because where he’s normally a light brown, the (small) section that washed off is more of a pink brown now. I’m REALLY concerned. He was perfectly content to be washed, it came off exactly like stuck shed did so I just assumed he’d had some leftover since he’s never been particularly good at “one and done”ing it. The “stuck shed” is still on him and loose, should I just leave it? Wash the rest off? Am I overreacting or did I hurt him?

---

A picture of the problem area would be helpful. The more info we have, the better our advice.

For whatever reason I’m still unable to upload photos, I have tried looking at the instructions on how to do so but they don’t match the layout I see at all. Here’s the best I can do
https://flic.kr/p/2pKgoVH

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PecanPied

For whatever reason I’m still unable to upload photos, I have tried looking at the instructions on how to do so but they don’t match the layout I see at all. Here’s the best I can do
https://flic.kr/p/2pKgoVH

---

Can't say that I've seen that before. The scales look damaged, but at least they are still there. Hopefully, one of our more experienced keepers will be able to add.

For what it's worth, I post pics by uploading them to Imgur. From there you can just drag and drop them into your post.

For anyone still listening, the vet said he’ll never be able to shed by himself again because of this. And that he’s anorexic (direct quote) and he’ll never eat again because he’s been on hunger strike. I feel sick. And like I might need a new vet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PecanPied

And like I might need a new vet.

---

Agreed.

Did the vet say anything useful? Like whether the area on the snake's back is simply physical damage or there is something else at play?

Could you update us on the feeding situation? It looks like in January the snake was eating fine. Is he taking a little break from eating like males often do?