I've been noticing that Tsume, my injured ball python's eyes have been clouding over with a bluish tint. Today it is completely obvious that any day now he's going to shed, the problem is, he has that nasty injury. Does anyone know anything about injured snakes shedding? Is there anything I should know or to look for when he does?

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http://dragcave.net/user/manhirwen

Snakes will shed more frequently when they are injured as part of the healing process. His injury will get much better with each successive thread.
Just make sure that he has enough humidity. I use a moss box: a small tupaware box with a hole big enough for the snake to get into cut into the small side. You don't need any more holes than that. Put some moist sphagnum moss in the bottom of the box and put it on the warm side of the terrarium. You can also mist him lightly with water.
After he's gone blue, he'll clear up completely and then he'll shed a day or two later. Don't handle him if you can avoid it... unless you still have to give him meds.
The only thing you'll need to look out for is that the eye caps have shed.
Let us know how it goes.

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Andrea

Thanks for the advice, is it possible that I could use damp paper towels or a damp cloth instead of moss? The vet said to keep his enviornment as sterile as I can, which means I can't even use newspaper for a substrate. Everything in there right now is going to be sterile so I think I'd need an alternative to moss for the time being.

Thanks for the info though, I will make sure to keep an eye on the progress of the shed.

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http://dragcave.net/user/manhirwen

I used well wrung out paper towel for my ball python for his first shed and it worked well. Moss is obviously the better option generally but considering the circumstances paper towel should be fine.
Best of luck with him.

I suppose papertowel would work. I used a moss box when Talyn was injured without problem. Moss is not likely to harbour bacteria the way other things can.
I just make sure there are no sticks or sharp leaves in the moss. Rinse it well with water and heat it up in the microwave (stinky!) for a few minutes. Then let it cool and put it in the moss box. With the microwave I hope to kill any little bugs that might be hiding in it.
If you're really worried, go with the paper towel, but you'll have to change it often, as it will grow mold and that isn't good for the wound either.

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Andrea

Good advice. I may just see how the moss will work out. I hope he sheds alright though.

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http://dragcave.net/user/manhirwen

Long fibered Sphagnum moss is not a problem (unless he poops in it!).
It has natural anti-fungal properties. Years ago it was used in wartime to bandage human wounds.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Ok, an update, Tsume still hasn't shed but I did notice that after his eyes turned just about blue and his skin dulled a lot they have cleared up within the last day or two. Still no shed but I was wondering, it has been nine days since he ate last and I was thinking, I've been holding off for his shed to be over with, should I just go ahead and try to feed him or should I just wait a bit more.

And one of my cornsnakes is about to shed too, but feeding day is coming up and I was wondering if I should wait to feed him as well.

All my snakes are small right now, the cornsnake is only 14 inches and the ball python is 22 inches.

Also, would feeding Tsume be a bad idea if he's in shed due to the fact that I have to handle him daily anyways, (I'm surprised he didn't regurge his last mouse) and he has that injury which I'm sure has to be stressful to deal with, with all the factors playing in on stress do you think it would be too much for him to eat right now?

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http://dragcave.net/user/manhirwen

He'll shed in a day or two, don't worry. Even baby BPs can go a long while without food. He'd probably refuse the food anyway because he's due to shed soon, but the big danger is that he'd regurgitate it when he shed.
It's really not worth it.
Mine won't eat immediately after a shed either; I usually have to wait till the evening after.

Just try to be patient... (a key word to remember as a BP owner!)

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Andrea

I'm not too worried about it, he isn't in danger of starving right now or anything, I was just wondering if it's a better idea to wait till after he's shed to offer food.
I suppose it probably is better to wait.

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http://dragcave.net/user/manhirwen