Found a new snake in the yard - maybe eye cap not shed? Help!

[Dan72]

Found this guy in the yard this morning. Looks like there's an issue with one of his eyes. Will time in a shed box help? Other suggestions?

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[Dan72]

Here are a few more pics. Pardon my sons nasty fingernails. Apparently he thinks he's Wolverine.


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[guidofatherof5]

Not sure a shed box would help in this situation. Looks swollen/ infected. A Vet. should take a look at it.

[katach]

I agree. Looks quite swollen. Is there vision in that eye at all?

[guidofatherof5]

Eye infections are difficult to deal with as getting medication into the eye is not easy.
My Vet. usually prescribes Gentamicin eye drops.
Gentamicin Ophthalmic Solution Official FDA information, side effects and uses. (http://www.drugs.com/pro/gentamicin-ophthalmic-solution.html)

[ConcinusMan]

I would think that the eye cap would prevent the medicine from getting into the actual eye. But anyway, I've seen this before, and that snake did go to the vet. What happened is, the eye sits in a pocket of fluid behind the eye cap. There's a tear duct providing the fluid, and there's another duct that allows the fluid to drain. The draining duct became swollen shut, for whatever reason. The fluid then has no where to go and builds up. Eventually the fluid becomes infected. It's unclear what happened first. The clogged duct, or the infection. Either way, it's life threatening and requires a vet visit and possibly oral antibiotics. The eye will usually not fully recover, but left untreated, the infection gets to the brain and kills.

[ProXimuS]

OOOO Wow!! That looks very swollen! Poor little guy. Looks like the end of his tail is missing too:(

[EasternGirl]

Poor little fellow! Yes, I would get him to a vet right away if you can.

[ProXimuS]

* Bump *

I was just thinking of this little guy. Dan how's he doing? Were you able to get him into a vet, or did you have to release him?

[ProXimuS]

OO OO Dan I saw that your on. Have time for a quick update? Just really curious:confused:

[Dan72]

Sorry to say that when everyone brought up what the issue was and that a vet was what was in order I had to release him back to the yard. I have so many snakes in my area, and have grown to help in ways that I can. Giving a drink and a meal when we experience a heat wave as we just had. Helping out with a shed. But I can't justify a visit to the vet for every wild snake in my yard that needs to see one. It's a tough world out there, some find a way into our hearts however they do and some have to face whatever outcome awaits them. Not sure what got the eye there to begin with, and it sounds like untreated it will be fatal. But that end could be meet by another animal, a mower, human with a dislike for snakes. Not good news, but, life.

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry to say that when everyone brought up what the issue was and that a vet was what was in order I had to release him back to the yard. I have so many snakes in my area, and have grown to help in ways that I can. Giving a drink and a meal when we experience a heat wave as we just had. Helping out with a shed. But I can't justify a visit to the vet for every wild snake in my yard that needs to see one. It's a tough world out there, some find a way into our hearts however they do and some have to face whatever outcome awaits them. Not sure what got the eye there to begin with, and it sounds like untreated it will be fatal. But that end could be meet by another animal, a mower, human with a dislike for snakes. Not good news, but, life.

It should also be said that they are tough as nails and find ways to survive when it doesn't seem possible.

[Dan72]

Let's hope. He really was a nice looking snake, it was what made me pick him up to start, not the eye. Noticed that second.

[ProXimuS]

Yea lets hope he can make it! I was just really curious to know what it was, if you did happen to take him in to the vet. But I do understand letting him go, can't take every wild animal in. Thanks for the update:)

[thamneil]

Completely understandable. You would be broke if you treated every wild critter! Gotta let mother nature do her thing!

[infernalis]

Don't be so pessimistic... I have found so many scarred and beat up snakes out there, they do have some amazing healing abilities.

[ProXimuS]

Clearly...Just take a look at Steve's little male concinnus! I'm sure alot of you have even seen worse and seen them survive!