Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Indigo has retained an eyecap in her last shed (a day ago). I've made her cage really humid and put damp paper towels in all of her hides. I tried, gently, to hold her hed in a damp paper towel so she could work it off...but it didn't (though she was very patient through it all). Any tips for removing the eye cap? Should I do it myself or let a vet? I've never had this problem before (and have no experience removing them).

thanks,

Josh

i've always used scotch tape to gently remove them after snake has been soaking for 20 minutes.just stick tape to eye and gently remove. Steve

p.s. DO NOT use a strong adhesive tape!

To help prevent this from happening I literally pour water on indigo when it's getting ready to shed. When any indigo sheds always look carefully to see that both eye caps came off. Whhen one is retained I pop gently pop it off with the flat end of a toothpick.

Try applying some triple anti-biotic ointment on it. That should loosen it up.

Eric
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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

Don't EVER use any instrument to pry/pull the eye cap off!!!(sorry Steve F)..Scotch tape or duct tape(what CAN'T duct tape fix) rolled from anterior to posterior should remove it easily..
To prevent this problem go to Walmarts etc and get artificial tear ointment and apply daily during the shed period..DO NOT use petroleum based stuff such as Vaseline..These are hydrophobic, prevents water from escaping but also doesn't let water in...Artificial tears are hydroscopic, it ATTRACTS and adsorbs water making it easier for the eye cap to come off with the shed..So the humidity you provide, with the artificial tear ointment, will work together to soften the eye cap and make it much easier for your animal to shed completely..
Good luck...
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Carl W Gossett
Garage Door Herps
Monument,Colorado...northern territory of the Great Republic of Texas

This is a common occurrance with indigos. I HAVE left them on before (they usually come off with next shed) but nowadays I've gotten very good at removing them for him myself. The tape is the easiest/safest but sometimes if there's enough shed on the outside of the cap itself you can grab THAT with your fingernails and gently remove it. If you resort to toothpicks or tweezers or something, be EXTREMELY CAREFUL ! Of course, no one is going to recommend that you resort to these "tools" but that depends on your own confidence and abilities. Avoid using them for the most part
Thanes Place

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Thane

Thanks everyone for coming to the rescue (this has always been a good forum).

I'll try the tape idea (damn it but there is none in the appartment so I'll have to try it tomorrow). I do have some Repti-Shed Aid (the instructions say it can be used on the eye cap). So I think I'll gently rub some of that in tonight to soften it up and if it's still there tomorrow, I'll use the tape.

thanks again