Black Headed Python Eye Problem

Hello All,

I am a proud owner of 1.1 2012 Aspidites melanocephalus. They have been doing great since I bought them in March but recently I have been having a problem with my male. A couple months ago, his eyes started to fill up slowly with shiny blue liquid. Initially, I thought he was going into shed but the fluid was not completely filling the eye, one eye was normal, and you could see small bubbles, which obviously does not happen when they go into shed etc. I got scared and took him to the closest reptile vet I have here thinking that it is a blocked lacrimal duct problem. They did some tests and found that the ducts were clear as much as they can see but found some bacteria and treated him with antibiotics. The problem seemed to clear up but it was probably due to the daily soaking they gave him as the fluid drains when he eats or takes a bath.

Anyway, the issue started again about a week after he came home. I soaked him couple times a week and the fluid drained but it always came back at the end. He shed about a month ago and he was fine for 3 weeks or so but today I saw that his right eye was half filled again! The snake does not seem to have much problem with it, eats and acts normally, but I am obviously worried and wanted to see if any of you have noticed similar problems with your own animals.

Just to keep in mind, his sister lives in the exact same conditions and she never had an issue like this.

Please let me know if I can do anything to help him out.

Thanks in advance.

That does sound concerning and I've never heard of anything quite like it before.

What I would do, if I were in your shoes...is look up some reputable blackhead python breeders to consult with. I'd even check with Australian breeders because they work with a lot of different lines that aren't available here in the States and may have a better chance of having encountered such a strange affliction.

I would also seek out other herp vets to consult with. There may not be another local to you, but you can sometimes get a long-distance consultation from those rare vets that truly specialize in reptiles.

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Originally Posted by Najakeeper

Hello All,

I am a proud owner of 1.1 2012 Aspidites melanocephalus. They have been doing great since I bought them in March but recently I have been having a problem with my male. A couple months ago, his eyes started to fill up slowly with shiny blue liquid. Initially, I thought he was going into shed but the fluid was not completely filling the eye, one eye was normal, and you could see small bubbles, which obviously does not happen when they go into shed etc. I got scared and took him to the closest reptile vet I have here thinking that it is a blocked lacrimal duct problem. They did some tests and found that the ducts were clear as much as they can see but found some bacteria and treated him with antibiotics. The problem seemed to clear up but it was probably due to the daily soaking they gave him as the fluid drains when he eats or takes a bath.

Anyway, the issue started again about a week after he came home. I soaked him couple times a week and the fluid drained but it always came back at the end. He shed about a month ago and he was fine for 3 weeks or so but today I saw that his right eye was half filled again! The snake does not seem to have much problem with it, eats and acts normally, but I am obviously worried and wanted to see if any of you have noticed similar problems with your own animals.

Just to keep in mind, his sister lives in the exact same conditions and she never had an issue like this.

Please let me know if I can do anything to help him out.

Thanks in advance.

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Search "lacrimal" on this forum. I have had this issue with both aspidites species. It is fairly easy to treat at home.

The ducts do not have to be blocked per se, but can sometimes just be irritated or swollen.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Search "lacrimal" on this forum. I have had this issue with both aspidites species. It is fairly easy to treat at home.

The ducts do not have to be blocked per se, but can sometimes just be irritated or swollen.

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Can you please explain what exactly has worked for you so that I can repeat it?