Tail shed

BP_okay · 09-30-09, 10:10 PM

My corn shed this morning....it was a beautiful shed, eye caps and all, except the very tiny tip of his tail did not shed. He is 31 to 32 inches long, and only about 1/8 to 1/16 of an inch did not shed. The husbandry is set up correctly, and his tank is around 40% humidity; he has a nice water bowl where he soaks from time to time. I understand that the tail can fall off and blood flow can be restricted to the area that does not shed. I know that it seems like a tiny area of skin, but do you guys think shed-ease or something similar would be the best route. His tail is so sensitive, I don't want to irritate it. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Traci

Will0W783 · 10-01-09, 08:38 AM

You can definitely try shed-ease on it if there is skin that did not shed from the tail. I personally like the one made by Zoo-med. It's called Repti Shed-Aid and you spray it directly on the snake. Spritz it on the retained shed, give it a minute or so to soak in (hold the snake while you are letting it soak in so he doesnt rub it off) and then GENTLY rub the tail between your fingers and the shed should come right off. I use this stuff when any of my snakes has a problem (not too often anymore, as they're all doing well) and it's always worked great for me.

citysnakes · 10-01-09, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BP_okay

but do you guys think shed-ease or something similar

how bout water.

BP_okay · 10-02-09, 10:34 AM

Thanks guys. It worked out quite well. Willow, I actually ended up purchasing the Zoo Med, and it worked pretty well. The tail shed did come off, but he wasn't very happy about the process.

As a side note, last month. the same thing happened, and someone was taking care of him who I "thought" was capable, but apparently did not have a very good eye for detail. He told me all the shed came off, and when I got home 10 days later, there was tail shed - roughly the same amount as this time. City Snakes, that time I soaked him, and worked it off that way, but he REALLY didn't like that, so that's why asked about the shedding aid. Anyway, the point of this info is that he has slightly dark area at the very tiny tip of his tail. That is why I was soooo anxious to get it off this time. I am afraid it might fall off, but he's been defecating and eating with no prob at all. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

At least I learned a valuable lesson, but it's strange as these last two sheds were the only times he's had a problem with tail shed. None of the husbandry has changed either. Puzzled???

Thanks,
Traci

Will0W783 · 10-02-09, 10:51 AM

What is the rest of his coloration? If he's a normal corn, a dark area at the tip might just be his normal coloration?

BP_okay · 10-04-09, 11:25 AM

He's a red striped corn, with 66% chance of hypo. He has black eyes though. I hope that helps enough. Sorry about the description, but I am still learning all of the morph lingo. I sure hope that is the case. it is part of his natural coloration. I will try to post a pic later today or tomorrow if that is not enough info.

Thanks Willow.

Traci

Will0W783 · 10-04-09, 01:49 PM

Ok, a pic would be good! Sounds like he is quite a handsome fellow. Corns are really neat little snakes- so colorful and generally good-natured. I really like mine a lot.

BP_okay · 10-05-09, 07:04 PM

Ahhh..thanks - he is quite handsome if I do say so myself. I fed him last night, I will post his pics tomorrow night, so he has time to digest. Yeah, at first he was so skittish, but has really warmed up to me. He even giives me little kisses on the nose - so cute. What kind do you have? Didn't you recently acquire your corn.. I might be confusing you with another forum gal.

Thx,
Traci

Will0W783 · 10-06-09, 07:50 AM

snow gal, sunglow motley het stripe male

BP_okay · 10-06-09, 07:15 PM

Here are the pics. The first 2 are just full pics of Fluffy, so you get a good idea of how he looks. The 3rd is the best pic I got of his tail. The flash kept ruining the pics, and I couldn't zoom to close or it would blur too much. If you look really closely, the very tip is darker, and it is actually a little bit darker than the picture indicates, but I am just not sure what is going on.

Btw, I love sunglows...I would love to see a pic. I originally was going to buy a sunglow from the breeder, but on the day he was to be shipped, he had some behavior issues, so he showed me fluffy, and I fell in love.

Let me know what you think. I really appreciate it!

Traci

Will0W783 · 10-06-09, 07:34 PM

Oooh- he's quite the looker. Nice!

BP_okay · 10-06-09, 07:36 PM

Thanks...I am a proud mama! What do you think about the tail? Am I overreacting?

Will0W783 · 10-06-09, 07:39 PM

Hard to tell in the picture - it could be stuck shed, or it could be a spot that has died. Is there any way to get a better shot of the tail tip?

BP_okay · 10-06-09, 08:01 PM

I just tried to edit and zoom. The first one isn't good at all, but the second is better. I think in reality, the end has died. If so, I know it won't grow back, but I hope he can happy and healthy??? Her certainly doesn't act different..eating well..etc.

Will0W783 · 10-06-09, 08:05 PM

Oh dear, yes it looks to me like the end of that tail has definitely died. I would imagine he will be fine and live a happy life despite it, as long as the decay does not spread. I've never had this happen to any of my animals, nor have I known anyone who has, but I imagine a vet visit would not be out of order, to make sure the decay is contained. I know gangrene can spread in mammals and humans, so I imagine it could in reptiles as well. It looks contained in the pictures, so the vet will probably just amputate the dead tissue and cauterize the stump, and it looks as though not much has died, but I'd still take him to a good herp vet to be safe. He might need a course of antibiotics, and he should definitely have that tail looked at and the dead tissue removed. I'm sure he'll be fine, but do get it looked at. Best of luck.