Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of my baby weatern hogs just hatched today and it has one eye out of the socket, and it is all black. what can you do? and do you let it grow up? or do you put it in the freezer? its a shame but what should I do? or what would you do? thanks.

JIM

Obviously it will be your decision in the long run, but I don't see why a hog couldnt live with one eye. There is the concern of it being painful or not. There is always the possibility it just be a dead eye and that it will srivel up eventually. But there is also the possibility that it could have severe ocular pressure and it could rupture causing pain and more problems.

I work in a vet hosp and there have been a couple times were we have left the eye and it took care of it self in a non-traumatic way, but sometimes removing it would be beneficial.

If you want my opinion, give the little guy a chance and avoid the freezer.

just my opinion,
sdaly
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"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."

Well, I would think the little buggar would be ok. If you want to freeze it, I could take it off your hands and I would raise it.
Nick

Sorry, I was making an assumption that it would be taken to a vet. I am almost positive they can fix it (might mean loosing the eye. But this will prevent future problems.
I have taken a few snakes to the vet myself and found it is much easier and has quicker results than doing it yourself. I once had an outbreak of mites from a python I took in who ended up getting mites to 2 other snakes. I saw that they can give shots of ivermectin (sp?) So I asked my vet and he did just that. Gave each of the snakes a shot once a week for 3 weeks. Fixed the problem and I have not seen a single mite since. The shots were only 7 bucks each.
Nick

Jim, this is never an easy decision but one we all have to make sooner or later. It's part of the hobby. If there is any pain involved, freeze it. Can the snake see out of that eye? is it a good eye or not. If not, it is likely to bump it, rub it, etc later in life and that could lead to problems. Also, I have rescued snakes that were fed live feeders, unattended. You know, the clowns that drop a mouse in the cage and walk away. Eye damage is common in these cases. That eye sticking out there is likely to get bit if that snake is fed live. So unless there is no pain, the eye is good and will not get damaged, and the snake will take frozen thawed, I would freeze it.
Just my opinion.
Best of luck
John Q

Take it to a vet, and then make your decision. Everything deserves a chance at life. Or just give it to someone willing to take on a handicapped snake. My 2 cents.
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Jenea

2:3 Tricolor Hognose
2:1 Eastern Hognose
1:2 Western Hognose
2:2 Southern Hognose
0:0:2 Florida Redbelly Snakes
0:1 Gulf Coast Box Turtle
1:1 Red-eared Slider
1:2:2 Mediterranean Geckos
2:0 Cats
1:1 Kids
1:0 Spouse

Take it to a vet. They could certainly lance that to allow it to drain and treat it to prevent infection.

You might lose the eye, but that isn't going to hinder the animal much.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

I am disappointed that getting it treated by a vet was not listed as option in your post. It is probably a congential defect that can be fixed. I don't think the snake would be able survive comfortably without any treatment. In addition, freezing is NOT condoned by ANY professional organization. In my opinion, it is barbaric and should only be used in certain circumstances.

"Although low temperatures do result in a state of torpor, the formation of ice crystals in the tissue is quite painful. Freezing should only be done to anesthetized animals."
http://www.anapsid.org/euth.html
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Virginia Herping
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHS
Virginia Herpetological Society online store
http://www.cafepress.com/vaherpsociety

"The irrational fear of snakes is the only excuse a grown man has... to act like a complete sissy" - Colchicine