Missing eyecap, what to do?

ChunkyMunky · 10-14-04, 11:18 PM

I noticed today that one of my boas in missing an eyecap. I have never encountered this problem before, so I don't know what to do in this situation. Should i just wait for a shed? Also, any ideas what would cause this, and tips to prevent it? Thanks.

Dan.

Stockwell · 10-14-04, 11:43 PM

what do you mean missing? You mean one was missing from a shed? If you're talking about a retained eye cap, simply moisten the eye with spit, or water and start to gently rub it off. Thats generally all I do and works unless the stuck eyecap has been on there along time.
Putting snakes in rubbermaids with a wet towel will aso create a moist enough environment to allow easy removal..
But what do you mean the eyecap is missing.
The spectacle is part of the eye and while sometimes the outer layer might not shed properly, I don't see how it could be "missing"

ChunkyMunky · 10-14-04, 11:58 PM

The eyecap fell off. She did not shed. So she only has one eyecap. Her other eye is exposed, that is why im worried.

reptiguy420 · 10-16-04, 08:43 PM

Are you sure that it wasnt from the prior shed just now coming off?

AtlanticReptile · 10-16-04, 09:37 PM

WOAH!! so what your saying is your boa has lost the entire cap that covers the eye? if this is true is there somthing in the enclosure that the snake may have injured its eye on, Also if the eye cap has compleatly fallen off i would get your snake to a vet.

Nick

Atlantic Reptiles

ChunkyMunky · 10-16-04, 11:41 PM

I can't tell if the eyecap fell off or it sunk in a little bit. Maybe even the outer eye is swollen and it makes the eyecap appear inside. Very hard to explain ill put some pics up.

ChunkyMunky · 10-17-04, 12:19 AM

In the first pic you can't really tell, except it does look irratated around the eye. I can see the glare of the flash on the eyecap so apparently it is still there.

In the second pic (sorry about quality) you can definately see that it is sunk in a bit instead of sticking out like a dome.

It seems like it got a little bit better since i posted this thread. There is nothing in the cage that could have done this, and the husbandry is perfect. I am very curious of what caused this. I started thinking, and this is what i believe happened. I took her to a exotic reptile store to get probed, maybe when he put her in the restraining tube it could have scraped her eye? I did not notice this untill the day after she was probed. I have no idea what else could of done this.

She is eating great, and seems to be fully aware of her surroundings. If this doesnt clear up by monday, i guess its vet time. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Dan.

Piers · 10-17-04, 12:39 AM

well the eye cap didn't fall off, you can see that in the first pic.
She has an irritation of some type. Check for mites, they will go under the skin arounds the eye. You can check by gently rubbing the skin around the eye and see if any mites are pushed out also they will be on the body and in the water bowl
Mites or not keep an eye(no pun intended) on it. if it dosn't get better soon go to the vet.
Piers

Stockwell · 10-17-04, 01:04 AM

Piers is dead right! Your snake has mites, that's the problem.. I think the eye will clear up once the mite problem is resolved. There is nothing wrong with the eye cap and it hasn't fallen off at all, what your seeing is the raised inflamed surrounding tissue makes the eye look sunken in.

**Andy_G** · 10-17-04, 12:33 PM

It definitely looks like a mite invasion.

ChunkyMunky · 10-17-04, 08:04 PM

I think you guys are right, I did find a few mites on her last night after piers and stockwell brought it up. I cleaned the entire cage with mite spray then soap and water. I also soaked her in the tub for a good 20 minutes before re-introduced her into the cage. I noticed quite a few mites in the water. Thanks for the help gentlemen, now that i know whats going on i am pretty sure i have it under control. I am glad she has been quarintined since ive had her.

If you ever come across a breeder named Andrew Kosdi; do not buy from him he is a liar and obviously sells mite infested reptiles. I bought this girl as a male, as soon as i got her, I could tell she was a female. Her tail is short and spurless unlike my male colombian of the same size. Also, this guy Andrew sold her to me as a DH ghost, now i am really starting to think she's not

Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

Dan.

bistrobob85 · 10-17-04, 08:35 PM

Now that really sucks... Good luck with the mites problem... The trick with mites is that you have to keep using the anti-mites spray ( and also Vapona bars ) for a good two or three weeks to get all the mites gone through their life cycle and killed... Take everything out of the cage but the water bowl, put some newspapers as a substrate, which you'll have to change daily ( the water bowl too ). With paper for substrate, you'll be able to see the mites crawling around with your bare eyes... I've done it a few times at the store i work at, just be quick before the mites get out of your cage and get to your other animals!!!

phil.

Stockwell · 10-17-04, 09:26 PM

Dan, get a wet Q-tip and pull the end out a bit then swab gently around the inside of the eye socket.. You'll probably pull out a load of mites.. You should do this every few days for the next week or two. Removing the hidden mites and eggs from around the eye will help her eye heal up faster, as the mites tend to get protected from the effects of the insecticide while hidden in the eye socket, and take longer to die there.

Soap and water wont touch mites so you should be using provent-a-mite or a very dilute solution of Nix human head lice medication to clear up your problem.
Use provent-a-mite only as directed and don't spray it on the animal. Be prepared for it to take a few weeks to completely eliminate your problem. Whenever you see little white spots like that on a snake...thats what mites leave behind. They also tend to build up under the chin as well, in the loose folds , so check there as well.
Best of luck