Odd mutation or species.

So while out field herping today I found what I think is a really sad mutation in a garter snake. Its eyes are huge taking up most of its head. They aren't cloudy and you can actually see them working, but because they are so huge one side of its jaw seems to be off.

Wow, was it an adult? That would be somethin else for such deformed animal to be able to survive. Take a camera next time you go out though :P

No, it was a baby. I actually collected it until I find my camera. Trust me there will be pictures.

Pics as promised. As bad as they may be.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/IMG_8439.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/IMG_8440.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/IMG_8441.jpg

Looks like he has an eye infection. Poor thing, but that's nature.

The ducts, can't remember their names, on the roof of its mouth may be clogged with would prevent fluids in the eye from draining.

You could try giving it a few squirts of water and see what happens.

Doesn't look good though.

I actually had that happen with my first ball, but it wasn't nearly this bad and it was only in one eye.

If the lacrimal ducts are blocked - they can be unblocked. Other ailments of the eye can mimic a blocked duct. If fluid building up in the spectacle is clear (as opposed to milky or very cloudy) you can try a couple of things.

You can pry open his mouth and irrigate the openings of the ducts in the roof of his mouth.

Or you can gently press on his spectacle on see if that doesn't unclog them by forcing the fluid out.

If the fluid is coloring up, odds are that the eyes are infected. In fact the presence of fluid in both eyes indicates that unclogging the ducts may provide only temporary relief.

If you have a local wildlife rehab center nearby, it may be worth a shot to drop him off.

The fluid is completely clear.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Elleken

The fluid is completely clear.

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If you can get someone to help you, use a tongue depressor to open his mouth.

While keeping it open, GENTLY press on the spectacle of the eye. Gently steady pressure is the key. If it's a blocked duct, you should see some of the fluid leak out of his mouth and the swelling should go down.

Don't be alarmed if there is a dent in the outside of the spectacle.

While his mouth is open, look at the roof and see if you can see any swelling or redness. If so, he really should be treated with antibiotic drops 2x a day for 10 days or so.

If gentle pressure applied to the spectacle does not yield any positive results, or if for any reason you are squeamish - see if a local rehab center could take him in.