Blindness --> Eyes falling out (a bit graphic/disturbing)

[d_virginiana]

Aw, poor snake Since he seems to have always had vision problems, he'll probably figure out how to eat blind without too much trouble.

I don't have a lot of experience with serious infections in reptiles, but with my furry animals you don't want to let bad wounds get crusty, because the skin will sort of 'crack' and then heal very quickly, sometimes trapping infection inside. Just something to keep in mind for when those eyes finish draining.

How high are the temps in his basking spot? Keeping warmer helps boost the immune system, so maybe try and get that basking spot as warm as possible while still being safe.

I think this snake should be culled.

I disagree as well. Snakes can live well without eyesight. If it pulls through the initial uh... grossness that's going on right now, it could have a pretty good life.

[Selkielass]

My albino is, I suspect, all but blind and he does great nosing about and sniffing for his food. I've heard of other blind snakes who do just fine in captivity.
treat as best you can and keep him comfortable. If he recovers he will scarcely know what he is missing.
Id never suggest making him a breeder, but he may be a great pet.

[Invisible Snake]

I think this snake should be culled.

The reason I said the specimen should be culled is because it has some serious defects and we do not know how this will affect the animal and since bringing the snake to the vet is not an option I would rather the animal be culled than suffer.

[Greg'sGarters]

I would get that checked out by a vet ASAP.

[d_virginiana]

The reason I said the specimen should be culled is because it has some serious defects and we do not know how this will affect the animal and since bringing the snake to the vet is not an option I would rather the animal be culled than suffer.

I would agree if it were acting otherwise ill. But he said it is still moving around to thermoregulate, and took food very recently. Yes, it's probably suffering right now, but this problem could be temporary, and the snake could have a fairly normal life for years to come. The only thing a vet would do in this case most likely is prescribe some sort of antiseptic ointment. We don't know if anything else is wrong, because nothing else really appears to be wrong...
If the owner and snake are both willing, then it's worth a shot.

[the_edsta]

The reason I said the specimen should be culled is because it has some serious defects and we do not know how this will affect the animal and since bringing the snake to the vet is not an option I would rather the animal be culled than suffer.

The reason I resisted is that, in this situation, the word is only a euphemism as there is no group or 'herd' to cull him from. He is the only one I kept and did so particularly because he needed the attention.

I would agree if it were acting otherwise ill. But he said it is still moving around to thermoregulate, and took food very recently. Yes, it's probably suffering right now, but this problem could be temporary, and the snake could have a fairly normal life for years to come. The only thing a vet would do in this case most likely is prescribe some sort of antiseptic ointment. We don't know if anything else is wrong, because nothing else really appears to be wrong...
If the owner and snake are both willing, then it's worth a shot.

I'm going to try and feed again tonight or tomorrow and I hope he will eat. I will also continue applying an antiseptic, though I am considering a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution rather than the triple antibiotic cream I have been using -- only because we seem to be waiting for it to 'dry out' and the cream doesn't accelerate the process (perhaps the opposite).

The bulging eyes are getting caught on substrate and such as he moves, though. The further those things come from their sockets, the more I am tempted to cut them off.

[d_virginiana]

I'm going to try and feed again tonight or tomorrow and I hope he will eat. I will also continue applying an antiseptic, though I am considering a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution rather than the triple antibiotic cream I have been using -- only because we seem to be waiting for it to 'dry out' and the cream doesn't accelerate the process (perhaps the opposite).

The bulging eyes are getting caught on substrate and such as he moves, though. The further those things come from their sockets, the more I am tempted to cut them off.

Can you put him on newspaper? That's what I've done when some of mine have had mouth infections, to keep substrate from getting into it. Keeps dust at a minimum too. IMO you should wait until they are completely dry and hard to try to remove them. I'm thinking an infection could start up if you messed with it before it was dried completely. If you wait till it's completely dry, it should be painless to remove it and no risk of starting an infection.
I would also recommend just removing the parts hanging out of the socket to keep them from getting caught on stuff. The closer you cut to healthy tissue the more likely it is that you'll break the skin and an infection could start. The rest of it would probably come off in time on its own.

Hm... There was a thread a long time ago (as in years) that I remember where someone had a male with a twisted hemipene that wouldn't go back in. The guy did something to get it to dry out so he could break it off safely. Don't remember what it was or if it would be safe to do for the eyes though. Maybe someone else remembers the thread I'm talking about?

[Selkielass]

Raw honey makes an effective dressing for wounds- but it is not as effective at fighting infection as antibiotics.

[ProXimuS]

Oh my....I would definitely move him to paper towels or news paper or something that won't get caught on his eyes.


I can't help but feel like he should go to a vet.....The way I see it, you took the animal in, and you are responsible for it's health and well being, rescue or not, no matter what animal.

[paulh]

What has the snake been eating? I ask because at least one vitamin deficiency affects the eyes. For what it's worth, I'd put a drop of a good bird liquid multiple vitamin preparation on his food. Bird vitamins are better than human vitamins because both reptiles and birds need vit D3 while humans can use D2.