What's the safest way to remove an eye-cap. a Florida king at a local petstore has an eyecap that seems to have gone through multiple sheds without coming off. They're open to (free)suggestions and treatment. Otherwise the snake seems healthy.
Please advise.
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eye-cap removal
reuben
Feb 17, 2004 08:48 AM
Replies (3)
drphibes
Feb 17, 2004 09:14 AM
Retained eye caps can become infected and cause problems so if there have been multiple sheds with eye caps retained it may require veterinary care. In the meantime, I would soak the snake in about 1-1/2" of room temp water in an appropriately sized container for a couple of hours and then place him in a moist pillow case to help "rub" them off.
Robert
>>What's the safest way to remove an eye-cap. a Florida king at a local petstore has an eyecap that seems to have gone through multiple sheds without coming off. They're open to (free)suggestions and treatment. Otherwise the snake seems healthy.
>>Please advise.
meretseger
Feb 17, 2004 09:21 AM
With kings you can probably rub them a bit yourself, after you go through the whole soaking thing, with a wet paper towel. I also can usually grab the bit of skin sticking up around the eye with my fingers. But you have to be VERY gentle, and if it really is mutiple sheds it might not work. If it doesn't give right away, don't force it, or you might damage the eye.
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"The serpent crams itself with animal life that is often warm and vibrant, to prolong an existence in which we detect no joy and no emotion. It reveals the depth to which evolution can sink when it takes the downward path and strips animals to the irreducible minimum able to perpetuate a predatory life in its naked horror."
Alexander Skutch
oldherper
Feb 17, 2004 09:32 AM
If you are not familiar with the procedure, DO NOT try to manually remove the eyecap with tweezer, tape or any other instruments. As has been pointed out, it is easy to permanently damage the eye. Try the soaking that has been suggested first, along with putting the snake in a pillowcase with some damp towels or wash cloths. If they don't come off then in the pillowcase, try using the tip of your finger to very gently rub the edge of the eyecap (cuticle) from the anterior (front) of the eye toward the back. If it doesn't start to come loose with gentle manipulation, then take the snake to a herp vet for manual removal.
