Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ball that I posted about a few days ago with multiple eye caps
has developed an eye infection. Take him to a herp vet? No such thing around here. The area around the eye is red, protruding, and leaking blood. The lens is opaque and the eye itself is protruding. Getting worse. The only antibiotics I have are for fish. Kanamycitan is absorbed thru the skin in fish and is an excellant remedy for pop-eye. Does anybody know if a moist compress of this drug would harm the snake? Any suggestions for treating this?

I do know of the drug you are talking about, I've used it on Koi and other pond fish with my busienss. Though I have never used it on a reptile, But then again I've never had a reptile with it's eye fall out. In this situation if I could 100% not find a herpvet around anywhere, I would soak the snake and try to loosen that eyecap. I've never had a snake that wouldnt have the eyecap come loose after a nice soak in luke warm water. I really dont think it could hurt at this point, and with the blood and infection probably starting to dry up in the eye crevice then it might actually be soothing and cause some relief for the animal. Best of luck! and keep up posted on how you make out.

Mike Brooks
TNS Reptiles
Long Island, NY
631-732-4233

Since you're in the business here is info you might need if someone shows up with a snake this bad.

It had so many eye caps that the outer ones had dried and had crevices running across them. He got nightly warm soaks and every now and then a cap could be removed. 5 from each eye so far and we're not done yet. The shed from the body came off in pieces after the soaks. I guess I was too aggressive and gave him this infection although he was rubbing his eyes on anything he could find.

Dont use that fish stuff. Totally differnt stuff. Find a vet. I would just keep him how it is until you can get it to a vet who can clean it up. If you get it wet or soak it you will create an ideal enviornment for bacteria growth, water (dead skin heat infection) = Dead Snake.

If you cant find a herp vet, find any vet... one with no herp experiance is better than none and a sick snake.

Ben

Where do you live? Someone might be able to help in your area.......

You really do need to get your snake to a vet, a herp vet or any vet. If the eye lining is torn, and infection is setting in, there is a high chance the eye will be destroyed and the infection possibly killing your snake in time. Below is a link to many herp vets across the US. Maybe there is one in your area.

www.arav.org/