Eye infection?

[MikeIsEvil]

Hey guys, new here. I'm reaching out because I'm having an issue with my king snake, Larry.

I adopted him last summer and things have been kinda funky ever since. Recently his right eye got super swollen. Looks like there's fluid between the actual lens/eye cap. I took him to the vet a week ago today, she said it could either be an infection or lack of vitamins. He was given a dose of vitamins, was told to add multivitamin to his food and he is on antibiotics(Tazicef) for 2 weeks by injection.

It doesn't seem to be getting any better. I still have 2 doses left so I'm holding out it kicks in, but I'm at a loss as what it could be. I grew up raising snakes/geckos and never once had to take one to a vet for any reason. Its very bizarre to be having so many issues with my guy.

Temps and humidity in tank are more than fine and consistent. He drinks regularly and eats 3 adult mice a week. He's about 4 1/2 feet long.

It wont let me post a photo, so if anyone wants to enlighten me how to do that, ha.

Thanks,

Mike,

[Andy_G]

Kingsnakes get all the nutrients they need on a whole rodent diet. Those vitamin doses are completely unnecessary. Hopefully you didn't spend too much on that. I would advise going to another vet that is more well versed with reptiles, as this one sounds anything but with the "lack of vitamins" theory...

You have to have at least 5 posts to post a picture, and there is a sticky post in the general forum on how to do it.

Good luck with everything.

[MikeIsEvil]

Yup, that's essentially what I said, mice have all the nutrients they need.

I'm holding out with the antibiotics but if nothing happens then another vet visit is in order. The whole vet visit, including the vitamins and medicine was $163. New York aint cheap, :rolleyes: lmao.

I live in Brooklyn and when I noticed his eye I was in a bind as I needed to get him to one ASAP(I work like crazy mid week and cant miss work, otherwise I wouldnt be able to afford these vet bills :wacky: haha.) and needed one that of course had an available appointment. This was the one and they see reptiles. But next I'm going to a more experienced place.

Thanks!

Mike,

[TRD]

Well, it's either some form of infection, or more possibly pseudobuphthalmos (blockage of the tear duct) which is quite common and may sort itself. If it holds for more than a few days you need doctor intervention because it may cause permanent damage to the eye. You will need an expert reptile doctor to treat this.

If the liquid under the spectacle is clear, then it's likely not bacterial in nature... if it's white/brown/murky, then it likely is.

[MikeIsEvil]

Thanks for the responses guys.

What literally seems like an overnight change, Larry's eye is pretty much back to normal. What a relief. I assume the medicine kicked into high gear. He has two more doses so I'm sure I'm in the clear. I was so shocked at how quickly it disappeared!

The fluid in his eye was clear mostly, you could see his cornea/etc under it, it got a little clouded towards the end. I suggested the tear duct thing to the vet as thats what I kept finding online, thats what she assumed primarily as well. She checked his mouth during the visit and his mouth was perfect, so wasnt that.

I changed his bedding to plain carpet. I had a feeling the dust could have triggered something maybe? The bag said "dust free" but thats a blatant lie, lol. He loved to burrow through it.

[Andy_G]

Dust won't cause that, but it's good that things are looking better.