Shed stuck to one eye... How do I get it off?

[M&J in NC]

One of my balls shed last week and she still has an eye-lid shed over one eye. Yesterday was feeding day at my place. This particular ball struck at her mouse over a dozen times, but could never make a good hit and wrap it up. She acted like her aim was off and I'm sure it's because of the eye shed. The shed is not on her head, just her eye, making it tricky to get off. How do I get that small peace of shed off of her eye without hurting her eye?

I watched 8Ball's shedding video and did just as he showed, but it didn't work. Any ideas?

[Turbo Serpent]

You can soak her in a small tub with some luke warm water.

Don't attempt to remove it yourself. You may hurt her eye.

If soaking doesn't lift it, then wait a day or two and try again. If after a few tries it does not lift, you can wait til her next shed or take her to visit the vet if you are worried.

[2kdime]

Put her in a wet pillowcase thats rubber banded shut. Then place her in a tub inside the cage over the hot side. Her exploring inside the pillowcase should get it off. My Bangka male blood python didn't shed his head today and this worked like a dream.

Or you can put a drop of Mineral Oil on the eye, leave it for 10 to 30 seconds, should come off.



HTH

[FatBoy]

Pillow case trick works. If not soak her for about 20 minutes then get a moist cotton ball and GENTLY rub over the cap, it should lift right off.

[M&J in NC]

How long do I leave her in the wet pillowcase?

[2kdime]

30 minutes to an hour maybe

[JbirdAg96]

I just adopted Zeke 2 weeks ago and noticed he still has an eye-cap. He seems to be fine and ate twice already with no problems. I've noticed some shed still around his head area. I'm going to try the pillow case idea and hope it works as it has for y'all. One additional question. What's a good way to raise the humidity in his enclosure? He's in a 40gal breeder tank with a screen lid and aspen substrate.

[Wh00h0069]

I just adopted Zeke 2 weeks ago and noticed he still has an eye-cap. He seems to be fine and ate twice already with no problems. I've noticed some shed still around his head area. I'm going to try the pillow case idea and hope it works as it has for y'all. One additional question. What's a good way to raise the humidity in his enclosure? He's in a 40gal breeder tank with a screen lid and aspen substrate.

Good luck getting the shed off. The wet pillow case works great. To increase the humidity, you need to cover most of the screen top with tin foil or plastic wrap to trap the humidity. Cypress mulch is also a great way to increase humidity. It holds water very well without molding. If you do decide to go with cypress mulch, then make sure that it is pure cypress mulch, and not mixed, because some other types of wood can be harmful to you snake.

[FatBoy]

First, a 40gal is too big unless it is really cluttered. Cover most of the top with foil or a cloth. If you use a cloth you can dampen it a couple times a week. Also try to heat the tank from the bottom, if you can get the temps right that way, if not use just one overhead light. Heat lamps or CHEs will kill humidity. I have had the pillow case trick work sometimes and sometimes not. We use the little thumb paper sorting thing to rub off the shed, works great.

[JbirdAg96]

Where would be a good place to get the pure cypress mulch? I was reading elsewhere on BP.net and happened across that substrating being recommended.


We cannot afford to buy a smaller enclosure at this time. Zeke has one hide and some branches in there with him now. After getting paid, I'm going to get a 2nd hide, new substrate, and material to cover the lid.