Eye Problem

[SteveRZ]

Caught a wild snake about a 2 weeks ago. At first, his left eye was a little cloudy- thought he was getting ready to shed. They eye is worsening and, today, looks completely covered over. The other eye looks completely normal and the rest of his skin looks healthy. Any suggestions on diagnosing this?

[Albert Clark]

It would help if you had a picture of it. Be careful too bc w/c snakes are usually heavily loaded with parasites.

[macandchz]

when you check him out, be careful not to touch the good eye. anything with eyes spreads rapidly from one to the other.

[Andy_G]

With most animals that would certainly be the case macandchz, but with snakes they have a clear scale called a spectacle that covers the eye so it doesn't apply in this situation.

I would guess it's due to a previous injury or trauma of some kind. The only one who should be doing any kind of diagnosis would be a vet.

[Albert Clark]

Steve, no pics? What first comes to mind to me is retained eye caps from a bad shed. However animals in the wild rarely have bad sheds. He certainly could have a injury to the eye or a eye disease being wild caught.

[macandchz]

thanks andy. didn't know that.