Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We just recently picked up a retic (our first large snake), and it didnt shed properly. I've never have had any issues with shedding with any of our other snakes (colubrids, crotalus, GTPs, ATBs,etc...). Today while cleaning her cage, we noticed she has a slight bulging eye. Its not a huge bulge, but enough of a bulge to notice. Could this be a retained eye cap?? We hand selected her from the breeder, and this was not a concern nor was it apperant when we physically examined her. Any ideas? I read further down in teh post that maybe I should just wait for the next shed??

Thanks

Hello,
Congrats on your first retic. They are pretty awesome snakes.
I would not be overly concerned. If it is opaque and is bulging more than likely it is a retained eye cap. If you are certain it is, you can get a piece of scotch tape, reverse it so the sticky side is out and gently touch the cap. It should stick to the tape and pop out.
If you are not absolutely sure it is a retained cap, then don't do the procedure. You will make a problem even worse. In this case, consult a vet that is qualified to see reptiles.
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1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old

sigh... you see thats what concerns me. Its not opaque, its not even crinkly or anything like that, if anything it looks like a magnifying glass. Ugh.. kinda of sucks.. I've already been to the vet this week with another issue, I would hate to look like a guy that doesnt know what he's doing. Any ideas of what it could possibly be?? Anyone have similar issue?

Last weeks picture:

Current pics as of today.

looks kinda like an retained (or couple) eyecap impaction
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retic is king of kings

1.0 Tiger Retic
1.0 Albino Tiger Retic
0.1 Striped Tiger Retic (het albino)
0.1 Salmon Boa
1.0 Albino Boa
0.1 False Water Cobra

The middle and bottom pic sure does look like a retained cap to me. On a recent shed, the cap wouldn't necessarily look opaque.
Is your snake back on feeding? Is the animal able to track movement from prey items on that side?
This has never happened to me, but if this were my animal, I would wait it out.
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1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old
Help me find this snake!

This little gal is eating with gusto... she can see/sense movement. Soo... I guess I'll try once with the scotch tap, and see if anything happens, after a nice warm soak. If not.. I'll just wait for the next shed. Hopefully it clears up..Fingerscrossed!

But I have never heard or seen it happen in a Retic? I had a litter of Boas, Motley het Albino X Albino female. This was my first litter of boas that had Albinos, so I checked their eyes the day after they were born, all of them had perfect eyes. About a week after they were born, one of the Albino Motleys eye started to swell up with clear fluid, and after a few days the fluid in the eye started to change from clear to a creamy white and soon after that you couldn't see the eye anymore. He eventually lost that eye! I was really bummed out about that, he is doing just fine with one eye, no problem eating or shedding, it's just a shame that such a beautiful snake lost it's eye.
If I were you, I would start putting Neosporin, or Triple antibiotic ointment on it 2 or 3 times a day, just in case. Also you might want to post some of those pictures in the Boa Forum and ask if anyone has any advice,...Albino boas are prone to eye problems. Don't wait for it to go away!! Thats a nice looking Retic, it would be a shame if he looses that eye!

CARL AIKEN-SNAKES

Just a little update... we soaked her for about a whole day in warm tub, and then placed her back in her cage. The very next day I check her out, and she was fine... no swollen or bulging eye! Good stuff, thanks everyone for the help.

Thats great!
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1.0 Albino American alligator, "Smoke"
1.1 American alligator,"Al Bite Ya & Molly"
1.1 Purple Albino Reticulated Pythons, "Gumbo & Abita"
0.1 Eastern Gaboon Viper, "Gabbie" Recently passed away at 24 years old
Help me find this snake!