Head shed removal, help please.

[pounce]

She's 7, temps are 75-80 on cool side, 85-92 on the warm side (belly heat). Substrate is tiles. She's never had a problem with shedding/eating, etc. And she seems to go about 2-3 months once a year without eating.

She's had 2 bad sheds in a row ever since contracting an eye infection (from shed getting stuck in her eye). The vet gave her Gentamicin which seemed to help, but they are still not at 100%.

She began shedding 3 days ago and it was very spotty and thin. I realize this may be partly due to her not eating, and partly due to the medication. However, as of now she's managed to shed her entire body except head. Her head wasn't even getting white the first day or so.

At this point, it is white and seems like it should come off soon. Here's a picture. http://i.imgur.com/VFls0.jpg.

I assisted her last shed with removing it but she REALLY didn't seem happy about that.

How long should I wait before assisting her this time, and other than warm soaks is there anything else I can do to make her more comfortable and help get it off?

 

[katie_]

I would place her in a tubberware with warm moist paper towels to loosen the skin.
Her eyes look very swollen, has she seen the vet for a follow up?

 

[pounce]

Her eye closest to the cam in that pic is slightly swollen (I think you're seeing a water drop on the other one which is giving it the illusion of it being swollen).

It began swelling after I helped remove shed from her head last time. I was as gentle as you can be, really.. but I think I may have prematurely helped her remove it from that eye, resulting in irritation and swelling.

I did have a follow up appt scheduled for 4 days ago (prior to her starting to shed), but canceled it after noticing the swelling had gone down a bit and speaking with the Dr. who recommended just to watch her and let her shed.

So, my plan was to monitor her during this shed and hope it was a normal one, but it's been anything but!

She has been in her moist hide for the last 3 days, and I have given her soaks - but do you think she needs assistance getting it off?

I would place her in a tubberware with warm moist paper towels to loosen the skin.
Her eyes look very swollen, has she seen the vet for a follow up?

 

[katie_]

Its hard to say. You can try the sauna idea and see if she can do it herself. The q-tip menthod might be a good plan B.
I really would book that follow up.