I just learned that the University that I go to has a ball python that they aquired a few years back, so naturally I wanted to see him. When I did, i saw that he was having major problems shedding, and upon closer inspection, I saw that he had multiple retained eyecaps. They are dry and cracked and there are at least two caps on each eye. I've taken care of the problems in his enclosure causing the difficult sheds, but I can't seem to get the eyecaps off. Is the fact that they have been retained for so long a factor in the the difficulty in removing them? Any help would be appreiciated, by both me, and poor Frank.
Reptile & Amphibian Forums
Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.
multiple retained eyecaps
sammy_D
Nov 11, 2003 06:07 PM
Replies (2)
drphibes
Nov 11, 2003 09:04 PM
I would first try soaking him in about 3/4" of room temperature water (not warm or cold) for a few hours (I use a rubbermaid storage container), then place him in a damp pillow case for a couple of hours. If you are comfortable with it you can also, after the above procedure, take a damp paper towel and try to gently wipe off the retained eyecap. If they don't easily come off he may need veterinary attention as they can cause severe problems. Good luck.
Robert
>>I just learned that the University that I go to has a ball python that they aquired a few years back, so naturally I wanted to see him. When I did, i saw that he was having major problems shedding, and upon closer inspection, I saw that he had multiple retained eyecaps. They are dry and cracked and there are at least two caps on each eye. I've taken care of the problems in his enclosure causing the difficult sheds, but I can't seem to get the eyecaps off. Is the fact that they have been retained for so long a factor in the the difficulty in removing them? Any help would be appreiciated, by both me, and poor Frank.
herpDVM
Nov 12, 2003 12:46 PM
I usually have owners try applying a sterile ophthalmic eye lubricate (ointment or artificial tears)several tiems a day for a few days. This usually facilitates removal. Soaking in water can work but in my experience the patient leaves their head out of water and does not really get a significant amount of moisture to the retained spectacle(s). Good luck.
