| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| frambo |
Posted - 29/03/2013 : 16:08:40
Previous shed was hopeless but conditions were better this time round so was hoping that the retained eye-cap from last time would come off.
However the shed was very itty-bitty and to be honest I couldn't find the head-piece all as a helmet.
On close inspection it's possible there is a double retained eye-cap:
Now what's the best method to try and remove this?
I've got some of this stuff
And it says that for retained eye caps 'spray directly onto eye cap. (will not hurt reptile's eyes).
Well I did that before and didn't get any result so this time round I thought I'd try with a cotton bud.
I read in the eye cap removal thread that visco-tears is recommended- or should I just be using warm water? Presumably it's okay to gently hold her head still while I'm doing the semi-circular rubbing?
Many thanks
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| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| boomslang |
Posted - 13/05/2013 : 00:51:15
I use that zoo med stuff,great for body retained shed.But don't really do a thing with retained eye-caps,Takes lots of tries before anything starts to happen. |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 12/05/2013 : 23:01:13
Right to left? Both sides 
Front to back.
Tweezers are best avoided, mainly because they are sharp but also because if a piece of skin is not ready to come off, pulling it off can damage the skin underneath, if it gets to a stage where tweezers are needed (if there has been several retained eyecaps) then you'd be better taking it to be done by someone who knows exactly what they are doing. One retained eyecap isn't the most urgent of problems, it's better to get it off but if it doesnt come away freely with less invasive means then as long as you keep it hydrated it should be shed off at the next shed. Only if this fails should more invasive techniques be considered as the eye is now at risk. |
| Sw1fty84 |
Posted - 06/05/2013 : 08:16:40
Hey
My lesser boy has had shedding issues since he was born no matter what the humidity is. I have to help him shed almost everytime ( which he seems to love now! Lazy sod lol )
With his eye caps that never come off i just use a cotton bud and tepid water and gently rub the eye from right to left for a couple of mins then pet him have a kip for an hour and repeat the process same again right to left ( right to left is just because its the natural way it would come away in a normal shed )
I always make sure i change the cotton bud if it starts coming apart
After maybe 2 or 3 goes with this the cap starts to come away and can ether be lifted off with a DRY cotton bud or with tweezers if you have a VERY steady hand ( I dont :( ) This method has worked for me every time. And is well worth noing how to get it right.
I also believe that you can use watered down shed-ease instead of water but i havnt tried this.
Good luck |
| Leucistic |
Posted - 04/04/2013 : 13:30:56
I am currently battling with the same sort of issue on my rescue king of multiple retained caps from god knows how long ago. I've had him 5 months (2 complete shed cycles with caps gone in shed) been to the vets to confirm really old caps still in place also. But now a constant cycle of viscotears, eye baths (cotton bud and water) and once daily antibiotics to stop any possible infection. Its slow progress, but we will get there.
Keep up on the cycle and all should be well for you. |
| frambo |
Posted - 04/04/2013 : 13:14:25
Thanks for the responses guys. She is looking infinitely better now and Bob I'm going to try using a cotton bud today... vet showed me how. Unfortunately, I am not the proud owner of a rubber finger haha.
Cheers |
| Baobab |
Posted - 02/04/2013 : 17:49:34
Hope it works out on the next shed. |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 02/04/2013 : 17:14:35
Ok, great that the vet doesn't consider it serious. A small tip that someone gave to me is a rubber finger (behave), the type you use to count money or turn pages, gives a small mount of grip while still giving you control of pressure etc, if the eyecap is moist enough and detached enough then gently rubbing the eye (very very gently, you don't want to collapse the eyecap) should make it peel away and the rubber is soft enough to not damage anything. |
| Baobab |
Posted - 02/04/2013 : 17:10:46
Hope it works out on the next shed. |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 02/04/2013 : 15:34:23
Heres hoping you didn't have to pay too much for that advice!
Goodluck Frambo! |
| frambo |
Posted - 02/04/2013 : 15:32:40
UPDATE:
Just got back from the vets. He tried for about 10 minutes but said that they were still pretty dry and stuck on. Whilst he could have tried using forceps or 'a small type of metal scraper' we both agreed that she isn't at that stage yet and as it happens she's due to have another shed in a couple of weeks.
However, he did say that it seemed like the visco tears had already got one layer off so hopefully the second layer should come off soon- he said to keep them well hydrated and to try teasing them off with cotton wool.
Will let you know if I manage to get them off!
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| boomslang |
Posted - 01/04/2013 : 22:09:52
Shame you didn't try the viscotears and shed aid stuff before he last shed.It might have come off with the last shed.
quote:
Out of interest, how is he likely to remove it? Just hold her head and rub it off with something?
No idea :P but let us know how you get on :)
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| frambo |
Posted - 01/04/2013 : 18:26:59
After applying viscotears twice a day for a couple of days now, it's much, much better. Under normaly conditions it's not at all noticeable now but it's still there- vet tomorrow.
There's quite a lot of glare which makes it look worse than it really is but that's a good thing because it highlights the retained shed.
Out of interest, how is he likely to remove it? Just hold her head and rub it off with something?
 |
| frambo |
Posted - 01/04/2013 : 00:11:06
Thanks, will post here once I've had her at the vets! |
| boomslang |
Posted - 31/03/2013 : 03:02:29
Good luck at the vets :) |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 30/03/2013 : 16:29:42
Good luck. I'm sure that a few days won't hurt, just keep it moist and it should make it easier for them to remove (if it doesn't come off of its own accord). Let us know ow you get on. |
| frambo |
Posted - 30/03/2013 : 13:51:24
Due to Easter, earliest appointment with the rep vet is Tuesday which I've taken. In mean time, she's looking much better this mornig, it's still there but can now see through it. Cheers |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 29/03/2013 : 23:37:37
Keeping it moist with the visco tears will help. It may even make the eyecap come away but I wouldn't touch it with anything more than a cotton bud and even then with no pressure at all just to see if its moving. Your helpful reptile shop should hopefully be able to help if you have to get physical. |
| frambo |
Posted - 29/03/2013 : 23:09:45
Thanks for replies guys
Have put a little drop of visco tears on a few hours ago and is now looking better but clearly not off. Just less dry.
Will take her to my local and very thorough reptile vet tomorrow (saturday) morning however if, worst case scenario they're closed for Easter weekend, presumably this is something that I can leave till Monday? |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 29/03/2013 : 19:38:17
Aye as Bob says this has got to the point where I'd intervene on a more physical level - if you've never manually removed a retained eye shed before don't start now but best getting him/her to a vet or specialist shop and see how it's done. |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 29/03/2013 : 19:00:51
They don't need abrasive surfaces to shed. My corn almost always pushes his head against the smooth viv sides.
I'd be tempted to not try anything myself if this is the second one to get stuck unless you're sure of what you are doing (I'm not) and the way the eye looks almost pulled forward in the picture would suggest to me that the old skin is pulling on the eyecap. If you've a good local shop they've probably dealt with this sort of thing loads of times so they could help but I personally would have that to a vet. |
