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Shedding issues... need some majior advice on what to do...

oogieboogie Jan 09, 2004 02:37 AM

Ok oogieboogie is a Leusistic Texas Rat. Id venture to guess about 2 1/2 feet feeding great and growing fast. Her first 4 or so sheds were absolutely flawless. This time around she had some majior difficulties. There is still skin attatched to her body that will not come off. I have tried soaking her in a humidity box, soaking her in some water, rubbing her down with some minmeral oil and nothing will work.

Here are some pictures of her shed....

www.hunt101.com/img/087396.JPG
www.hunt101.com/img/087395.JPG
www.hunt101.com/img/087397.JPG

What should I do with her? Im worried about leaving the skin on, but it is not looking like its going to come off. When I go to peel it off of her it wont budge, it takes her whole skin with her.
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2.0 Ball Pythons
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa
1.1 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Albino Ornate Pacman Frog
0.0.1 Ornate Pacman Frog
2.0 House Cats

And a partrige in a pear tree...

Replies (6)

elaphefan Jan 09, 2004 11:05 AM

If she has a WARM water dish to soak in and something like a good sized rock to rub against, I am sure that the old skin will come off when its ready. Just try giving her a little more time. She will get it off for herself. Don't try to pull it off for her. You could hert her doing that. I have seen products on the market that are for lizards to keep their skin soft and easy to shed. You might try one of those products.

For the next week, keep an eye out for signs of infection, but if she is still acting normal and feeding well, I don't think you have anything to worry about yet.

oogieboogie Jan 10, 2004 01:46 AM

Ok ive tried it all TWICE *lol*

Ive soaked her for 2 hours at a time, 4 hours at a time. Put her in 3 diff. types of humid. boxes and nadda!

Thanks to everyone for their ideas and trying to help me out!

To those who have had this problem with the rats, thanks for the info. Makes me feel a much better parent as it wasnt solely my fault!

Im just going to leave her be and let her get it off in her next shed. After talking to a few people and reading here im not to worried anymore. It is not wrapped around her, its just blotches so there isnt to much to worry about. Ill just keep an eye on her for any infections.

Thanks again!
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2.0 Ball Pythons
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa
1.1 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Albino Ornate Pacman Frog
0.0.1 Ornate Pacman Frog
2.0 House Cats

And a partrige in a pear tree...

~!Bearded Dragon Custom Cage Design!~

meretseger Jan 09, 2004 12:02 PM

A. How long did you soak the snake for? Sometimes it can take 2-3 hours.

B. Did you wash the mineral oil off?
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

DoorGunner Jan 09, 2004 11:15 PM

I have a black rat that just had that problem because I'm keeping him on a very dry substrate, which tends to be dessicating. I soaked him in lukewarm water for six hours. There was a rock in there, but he didn't use it. However, when I took him out, the old skin was literally dripping off of him. I gently pulled it off like you would a sock. No problem. I think your leucy will be okay, even if the old skin doesn't come off until the next shed, in which case you can soak him good to ensure a clean removal of that old skin. Good luck.

munchkins Jan 10, 2004 08:40 AM

I take a plastic animal cage, such as the Kritter Keepers, of an appropriate size. Make sure that it is secure, so the snake doesn't escape. Put about one inch of warm water in the bottom. Then put several paper towels in on top of the water. Put the snake in there. Then put a few dripping wet paper towels on top of the snake. Leave the snake in there for about 30 minutes. Check to see if there is any shed skin stuck. If so, put the snake back in for another 30 minutes. Repeat as necessary. I have also heard of people using small towels. The beauty of paper towels is that you can just throw them away.

To help with the next shed, I would suggest that you put a plastic box with a lid with a hole for the snake to enter and exit filled with damp stuff, such as aspen, spagnum moss, or other such material, whenever your snake is going into shed. Replace the material as necessary to prevent mold.
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sue

oogieboogie Jan 10, 2004 10:34 AM

Thanks for the info with the papertowls.

As for the humidity box in her cage, already got one. Thats why im so confused as to why she shed like this. Normally when i see her shed i put her inside the box myself. But she shed while i was on vacation for new years.
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2.0 Ball Pythons
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa
1.1 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Albino Ornate Pacman Frog
0.0.1 Ornate Pacman Frog
2.0 House Cats

And a partrige in a pear tree...

~!Bearded Dragon Custom Cage Design!~

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