Emergency with retained shed

[J_dUbz88]

Hi,

I have an asian vine snake, anthella sp. with a retained shed. I got it about a month and a half ago and it was in shed. It has eaten once for me but hasn't eaten in over 3 weeks. Just last week it started to shed yet again and still hasn't got the original shed off, so now we have real problems, its starting to get really lethargic and slow. I have tried everything to help including warm soaks and even gently trying to pull the skin off. I am at a real loss here he wont eat and cant shed. What do i do?

 

[Red Eyes]

Sorry to hear about your asian vine snake, what I have read is that they are
a tough species to keep. Maybe a trip to the vet is in order? (provided they deal in reptiles).

 

[Will Hunting]

What's the humidity of the tank? I see that you've tried warm soaks, but that won't really help much if he goes back into a dry tank. =p


How old is your snake? If it's a 1 year or less, this could be a big problem, but if it's older and at 3 weeks without food it's not what I'd consider an emergency yet. I'd start thinking about a vet, though.

Edit - I'm not too familiar with the Ahaetulla spp, so please take my advise with a grain of salt. =p

Edit again - Make sure that there are items within the tank for him to peel off the shed himself. I know this is kind of basic, but without any information on its tank I have to cover all the bases.

 

[J_dUbz88]

the humidity of my arachnid/herp room is (aka my bedroom) is between 70 and 80 at all times and i mist once or twice daily, i also have a large water dish it can soak itself in if it wants. I have many real plants and branches it can rub against to get its skin off.

As to the age im not sure but it measures not more than 3 feet, so id say its older than a year and less than 3.

Edit: Ive called around before and no one NO ONE will take in my snake and the only person that considered it gave me a lengthy speech on why i shouldn't even have this snake.

 

[Will Hunting]

\
Edit: Ive called around before and no one NO ONE will take in my snake and the only person that considered it gave me a lengthy speech on why i shouldn't even have this snake.

Ugh, I've heard that so many times. You said "considered", does that mean he's going to help you out? These snakes are pretty delicate, and even I don't think I'd be comfortable assist-feeding him.

 

[J_dUbz88]

um no hes not going to help me and i wasn't calling about assist-feeding i called about the shed, i should have just said it was a ball python or something and he might have just told me what i can do instead of having to see it.

 

[Will Hunting]

How much of the previous shed is still there? I was under the impression that it was only pieces of it left, which really isn't that big of a problem. It'll just come off with the incoming one. However, if he hasn't shed any of it off, that could be something major.

 

[Red Eyes]

Sorry to hear about the "lecture" have you tried placing the snake in a smaller tub with a warm wet towel? The getting " ... really lethargic and slow ... " doesn't sound very good. What did it eat when you fed it? Is this a wc or cb?

 

[J_dUbz88]

most of the previous shed is still there i would say at least 85% remains. I just tried the towel thing as i just learned it as well and it helped a little some more of the skin came off but not a lot. when he last ate he took down a fair sized house gecko. Unfortunately many and i would say most vine snakes are W/C. Does anyone know anything about shed ease or any of the other shed helping products stores sell? do they work? more importantly are they safe?

 

[Red Eyes]

What I have read about the shed aid stuff is save your money. I don't know if you have read this but ... http://www.anapsid.org/shedding.html.

 

[mindlessvw]

a few suggestions...
1. Soak the snake for about twenty minutes in luke-warm water. Take gauze and gently wipe down the snake...this is abrasive enough to get the skin sometimes but gentle enough not to hurt the snake...use lots of water!
2. Put him in a wet pillow case. The friction will sometimes loosen up the skin. Use warm water
3. Put him in a plastic tub with luke-warm water and sphagnum moss.

these are things i have used that have worked.