Re: Odd mutation or species.
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
Re: Odd mutation or species.
No, it was a baby. I actually collected it until I find my camera. Trust me there will be pictures.
Re: Odd mutation or species.
Re: Odd mutation or species.
Looks like he has an eye infection. Poor thing, but that's nature.
Re: Odd mutation or species.
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.
Re: Odd mutation or species.
I actually had that happen with my first ball, but it wasn't nearly this bad and it was only in one eye.
Re: Odd mutation or species.
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.
Re: Odd mutation or species.
The fluid is completely clear.
Re: Odd mutation or species.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Elleken
The fluid is completely clear.
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.
Re: Odd mutation or species.
Well it is incredibly tiny I don't think opening his mouth could be done safely. It is a random garter I found outside. Not to say it isn't worth it, but the likely hood of it pulling through doesn't seem too high.
Re: Odd mutation or species.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Elleken
Well it is incredibly tiny I don't think opening his mouth could be done safely. It is a random garter I found outside. Not to say it isn't worth it, but the likely hood of it pulling through doesn't seem too high.
Try the pressure without opening the mouth and see if it helps.
Opening the mouth helps because it can distend the opening of the duct into the mouth.
Re: Odd mutation or species.
I have seen pictures of baby garters born this way before. It appears to be similar to popeyed rat snakes.
Re: Odd mutation or species.
It turned out to be an eye infection. I did what some people told me and it actually worked. Thanks for the help everyone.
Re: Odd mutation or species.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Elleken
It turned out to be an eye infection. I did what some people told me and it actually worked. Thanks for the help everyone.
Can you post any details?
Quite a few people ask questions on various eye infections. While I don't recommend self-treatment, some people do not have access to decent herp vets. Therefore any information you can share (ie: exact problem and medications or treatments that helped) can be extremely useful.
