Potential shed issue

[guidofatherof5]

Glad to hear thing are improving.

[d_virginiana]

It really does seem like she knows I'm helping her out or something. Because having her scales all scraped off certainly doesn't feel good. I'm really surprised at how well she's handled it.

[d_virginiana]

I was just wondering... At what point do I call it quits on removing the scales manually? I've gotten most of the back/side scales, and one more go should take care of the majority of the belly scales. I just can't help thinking it's got to be very stressful on her regardless of how calm she's being, and I don't want to do it any more than I have to.

Also, oddly, none of the scales on her face have come off. In fact, those are some of the brightest. I'll keep an eye on it, but I'm beginning to wonder if maybe she shed part of her skin and then it broke off and that's why it was starting to look so weird, and also why she couldn't get it started by rubbing her face on things?

I'll put pictures of her up in a day or two and show the difference, even though it probably won't be as drastic in photos as what I can see.

[guidofatherof5]

What % of shed do you think has been removed? Is the tail shed?

[d_virginiana]

Hmm... Well, the sides/back above the cloaca I'd say are about 70 (probably closer to 80 but I'm pessimistic) percent removed. The belly scales... That's harder to tell, but I'd say about 50% of those. The face hasn't shed at all that I can see. Below the cloaca is only partially removed, but another round of scraping scales off should get pretty much all of it.

Any ideas as to why this is happening this way? Everything about the shed indicated that it was retained or at least in need of assistance, but as easily as these scales are coming off, I'm wondering why they won't just peel off in strips or why I couldn't get the shed started somewhere and she could get the rest off on her own? I mean, it's not like I'm having to scrape hard to get them off. Basically just put some vegetable oil on my thumb to keep the nail from hurting her, and running it down her side comes up with a ton of scales.

[Ruth]

Having just removed a large portion of her skin by hand, and feeling how soft the new skin is when it's first exposed, I'd be afraid to use the juice except as a last resort. I feel like that new skin could get irritated or even burned by the acid really quickly. I'm paranoid that just my fingernails are going to irritate it.In other news, I'm done with the 'brushing' for today I think. After two sessions, Harley just seemed really exhausted. I got most of the scales off her sides and back, and a considerable amount of the belly scales off. She's still trying to get her shed started from the head but it just won't go. I haven't been messing with her face much yet, as I can't seem to get those scales started.
This whole thing just seems very strange. If the shed wasn't ready to come off, I don't think she'd have been trying to get it started or that the scales would just start flaking off like they are. At the same time, they're coming off fairly easily so I'm not sure why she couldn't seem to get it started on her own.

I total agree I'd never try it unless it was do or die. I would also think you would have to keep rinsing the snake. I personally don't like to use anything on my snakes and when one came in with mites no chemicals were used I don't even use cleaning fluids just hot water and steam

[chris-uk]

It really does seem like she knows I'm helping her out or something. Because having her scales all scraped off certainly doesn't feel good. I'm really surprised at how well she's handled it.

I think you're right.

With respect to the head, have you managed to get much shed off around three neck? I found that working from the neck onto the head (so the opposite to the way she would do it herself) worked. It sounds like you're making progress so just keep plugging away.

[d_virginiana]

I think you're right.

With respect to the head, have you managed to get much shed off around three neck? I found that working from the neck onto the head (so the opposite to the way she would do it herself) worked. It sounds like you're making progress so just keep plugging away.

I think that's what I'm going to have to do. I'll put pictures up tonight of how she looks now compared to several days ago. Her color is so much better.

[d_virginiana]

Got the body completely clear, pretty much all the belly scales, though I may have missed a couple without noticing. Also, got the vent and tail off, and got a couple of the scales on the head off!
Waiting till tomorrow when she's had time to calm down completely before I go for the places she really doesn't like me going like her lips and eyes, but after that I should be done with this whole thing!

[snake man]

Sounds like everything is going well. Congratz and good luck for tomorrow.