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

[d_virginiana]

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.

Just saying... I don't think there's much a vet would do. At this size, they probably wouldn't prescribe an antibiotic because it's difficult to determine a correct dose for such a small animal. He would likely stand as high a risk of death from overdose as from the actual problem. And it's not like they're going to do surgery on his head.
I only take reptiles to the vet when I think there's actually a concrete solution, not a 'run a million tests and still have no answers' situation.

lol If I only took in rescues when I could afford vet care for them a lot of my past charity cases would be dead instead of recovered. If I decide to keep them afterward they become pets; then they can force me to eat ramen for a month to pay for their vet care

[ConcinusMan]

Thanks Sorry my vision not what it used to be.

Well Steve, from what I can see, both eyes are completely destroyed, dried up, and what's left of the eyes, is hanging out of empty sockets. Also, the jaw bone protrudes a bit in the back and the snake appears to be in poor shape overall. I think I see a "crinkly" look to the skin too (like a retained shed situation) but I can't be sure with just those photos.

[ConcinusMan]

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?

I remember. Sugar water can bring the swelling down and allow the hemipene to be taken back in. In most cases however, it's too damaged. In that case, in order avoid a lot of bleeding, applying a desiccant such as sugar (salt is a desiccant too, but will probably be painful) will dessicate it and then it will either fall off with a shed, or it can be cut off.

In this case, the eyes are already completely dessicated. I really don't think that clipping them off will hurt anything.

[the_edsta]

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.

If you read the whole thread, it is clear that this has been a long-term pathogen or disorder, not something recent and diet related. He is the only of the snakes experiencing it, and their diet draws from five different food sources.

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.

Good idea with the paper towels... and while I agree with the idea that I am responsible for his health, I disagree with the notion that the 'health' of a snake involves specialists, medications, surgeries etc. That, in my mind, is an example, at least ethically, of anthropomorphism.

[the_edsta]

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.

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.

Well Steve, from what I can see, both eyes are completely destroyed, dried up, and what's left of the eyes, is hanging out of empty sockets. Also, the jaw bone protrudes a bit in the back and the snake appears to be in poor shape overall. I think I see a "crinkly" look to the skin too (like a retained shed situation) but I can't be sure with just those photos.

Good call. The skin is in fact crinkly, the snake is getting worse as we speak. It refused its last meal. Sadly, I doubt it will last the week. I have transferred it to its own paper towel lined sterilite... I hope that it is at least comfortable.

[kimbosaur]

Maybe try a shed box for the retained shed? Sounds like it's going dowhill but it doesn't hurt to give it a shot!

[d_virginiana]

You could also try oil for the retained shed... Though at this point I would think the damage done may be too much to recover from. Making him comfortable is probably the best you can do.

[ProXimuS]

Good idea with the paper towels... and while I agree with the idea that I am responsible for his health, I disagree with the notion that the 'health' of a snake involves specialists, medications, surgeries etc. That, in my mind, is an example, at least ethically, of anthropomorphism.

I don't feel like ensuring your animals are in good is anthrpomorphism...The way I see it, medication or not, they would at least be able to remove the eyes, as they would be able to tell where the tissue is viable, and where to make the cut to remove them. I'm sure it's uncomfortable for him to have to drag his eyes around.