HI,
I frequently review the QA in a reptile magazine about care of reptiles and Dr Mader this month mentioned something that make sense and here's my spin on the meat of the QA and some other idea's I have..
Handling your boa in shed may cause a bad shed, here's my theory on potential reasons
1. Stress and pain, many boa owners know that snakes are irritable in shed even mean , it could be its a painful process.
2. fluid that is released to seperate the skin layers is critical to complete shed handling a boa in shed may reduce or remove that fluid in places that are in contact with the pressure of the hand this may cause that area to stick to the new skin.
3. Husbandy and diet are critical to shed, beings the shed is caused by a hormone relased by the snake this will only occur in healthy animals humidity prevents dehydration and increases the necessary fluid to assist shed.
4. Any old injury will cause problem with shed things like rat bites, mite bites, scars.
There are many tried and true methods to remove shed, my favorite is a wet damp towel in a ice chest for a few hours and then ever so gently try to roll the shed off with your gentle finger pressure.
Eye caps are difficult and may require additional training in person by a VET, improperly removed eye caps can cause injury and blindness, be very carefull to have a reptile expert assist you with retained eyecaps.
SO shed is a frequent occurance in reptiles but maybe sensative to numerous factors other than the obvious.
Doug
more info:
http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/r..._shedding.html
Snakes in Shed
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