do they usually come off in the next shed cycle? I noticed a week to 10 days later that my 6-7 foot jungle carpet python has a little bit on one eye. He usually sheds completely but I guess not this last time.
if i just mist him down when he is ready next time will it come off ok?
thanks.
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retained eye caps
janome
Jul 07, 2005 12:36 PM
Replies (5)
psionix
Jul 07, 2005 01:24 PM
you need to soak it really good in water and get it really soft then VERY gently pull it off with tweezers, more sheds usually compound the problem.
epidemic
Jul 08, 2005 01:02 PM
While allowing the snake to soak is a good idea, placing artificial tear drops, available at any pharmacy, works very well, as the solution is hydrophilic. Do NOT attempt to use any instrument to remove the eye cap, unless you have the eye hand coordination of a vascular surgeon!
For the best and safest result, hydrate the offending eye cap very well using water or the artificial tear drops and use a small piece of Scotch tape, not masking or duct tape, and roll it across the eye in the same direction it would come off naturally..
Good luck,
Jeff Snodgres
-----
Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947
janome
Jul 09, 2005 01:00 AM
thanks for the input but i don't like the idea of poking anything at or on his eye. i'll try to wet it down and see if it will come off, otherwise i'll wait till next shed cycle to see what happens.
rick gordon
Jul 11, 2005 12:29 PM
Sticky tape works well if your not comfortable with tweezers, waiting is not a good idea, in most cases it will come off with the next shed, in others, serious infections occur.
janome
Jul 11, 2005 04:03 PM
well, i tried to soak it a bit and rub it off gently with my finger but he put up a fuss. he is 6-7 foot and very strong. it's not his whole eye. more like a jaggid edge around the eye. wouldn't it be the whole eye if it was a retained eye cap?
unless its a catarac or something like that. at any rate i think i'm just going to keep eye on it and see how his next shed goes. don't worry....i'm a good pet owner and will take him to vet if i think he needs to be seen. thanks for your help.
p.s. i don't know if i can get a photo of his eye or not without causing him distress.
