Thread: URGENT HELP:- Shed Problem

I would try the pillow case . Its worked for me with with 1 of my cheynei . you might try placing the snake in a plastic rub with scrunched up paper spray the paper with water and place the snake inside

Originally Posted by Drymarchon

Hiya, just saw the post and thought I might add something further.

Ok, there are a couple of points to note.

1) How are you keeping your boa? Are there humid as well as dry areas in the viv? What sort of substrate are you keeping it on, and what is your pre-shed routine for the snake? What temps are you keeping? However, judging by your post, I don't think this is going to be the problem :(
2) Take care with wet pillow cases etc. If you doubt this, then put your head in a dry pillow case, then put your head in a wet one....... take care with the second option as it may cause suffocation!
3) I don't want to cause panic or worry but, very poor shedding as has been described in the first post can be a symptom of illness. This can be anything from vitamin deficiency to a systemic bacterial infection. It could be worth while to getting some faecal tests or bloods done if this is a possibility. I have seen this before and this is not any kind of judgement on your or anyone's husbandry, but I had the backup of an entire vet dept. and was able to get as many tests done as and when I wanted them, and these sorts of syptoms were more serious than just low humidity 9 times out of 10. This is backed up by the fact that this snake is new to the collection and may have been carrying an infection on arrival.
If this unshed skin has been on for a while then another shed cycle can be forced with vet treatment using Parenteral vitamin A @ 1 000 to 5000iu will induce ecdysis.

How long has this snake been in your collection, how old is it, and is it being kept with any other animals?

For most people poor sheds are simply low humidity issues prior to shedding, and the treatments listed above are perfectly good for sorting them out, however just to be on the safe side.....

Cheers
Al

This is the only rep in the house now and i have had it for a good few months....

All reps that come into mine and my fathers collection are vet checked externally and internally and this one was cleared with 100% health.

The viv does have a well balanced humidity and the temps are at recommended highs and lows for the time of day in which it is at the time ( auto temp control units it temp drops outside viv raises to compensate and vice versa )

I dont and didnt doubt my husbandy skills as i have kept and bred reps from bein knee high with my dad.

i have how ever come across a 1st on my behalf on a troubled shed... It started to shed its skin on the 8th November 2008 so just under 2 weeks ago. It is coming of very slowly but still not to a satisfactory rate for a troubled shed.

It is kept on bark chippings that hold the moisture to keep the humidity as it should be and it gets sprayed if and when needed... I am hoping this is a 1st and last time for this snake... As i dont consider a snake settled into a new enviroment for at least 6mths after moving so its still settling in here.

He's about 3-4ft and in a 4x2x2 viv so that isnt an issue i have taken out all new addatives i have added and it now has a bare viv of substrate water and hide ( cat litter tray and home made hide )

I wont be putting it into any pillow case wet or dry as this will most certainly cause death or respiratory problems. I will how ever be puttin it into a nice sized rub with warm water and a towel for an hour to see if that works.. if not i will try the vitamin supplements to force another shed.

I thank you all for your comments they have all been taken on board and i shall keep you updated on his progress

small update...

I was suggested to try puttin his water bowl under heat lamp in so i did that today and he has spent ALL day in there and his shed has come loose and coming of so i will give it a day or so longer to see if it comes off completely if not i will do as suggested here :))

Hi

Are you using ceramics to heat the viv, if so i would take it out and replace with a heat mat, could be that the ceramic is drying the air forcing humidity down. Can think of anything else that you haven't already tried