My baby got injured... need some advice.

So here's the deal...

My ball python was out of her cage (she chills around my room a lot and is super tame and sweet) and the cat was also in the room. I never let them get too close but usually the python is under something asleep and the cat goes and sleeps on the bed without even knowing she is out of her cage.

Well this day the python was under her tank and while I didn't actually see it happen this is what I think occurred. I think my python was poking her head out and the cat tried to grab it thinking it looked fun to catch. I heard a swat sound and turned around and so I'm pretty sure that's what happened.

So when I took my ball python out from under the cage immediately to check her I noticed the cat had apparently got her on the eye. The eye cap itself was torn and kinda peeled back exposing the eye. The eye itself looked unscathed though. There was no blood or anything but it looked bad because I know she needs her eye cap.

I had to go to work so I put her in her tank and put up the humidity. (I pump it in with a humidifier) When I came home from work I checked on her and she looked great. I don't know if she peeled the rest of the eye cap off or somehow got it back in place but the torn eye cap was just... gone. If I hadn't seen it happen I wouldn't know there was anything wrong. She looked normal.

So I thought ok I'll hold off on freaking out too much and keep the humidity up and watch her progress closely.

Her eye looks a little cloudy but other than that it looks pretty normal. Nothing looks gross or infected or swollen so I assume that she is healing well. But here's my question that is really confusing me. Since that happens she hasn't been using her hides at all. She roams her cage and then goes to sleep but never inside her hides. It seems like that odd behavior must mean something but I couldn't figure it out.

Has anyone had this before and can tell me what she should look like when going through a normal healing process so I have some sort of idea of what I can expect? Also does anyone have any theory as to her eye miraculously looking great when I got home and what happened to the eye cap? And can anyone give me an idea why she might not be using her hides when her humidity and temps are fine?

Is she afraid to coil up? I can't figure it out. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks :)

Well first off I'm gonna say this and I'm not jumping on you, but if your gonna have your snake out of it's cage put the cat in another room. That was an accident waiting to happen and now it did. So just in the future no play dates with the cat n the BP lol. For now just keep the humidity up and wait for a shed. I can't answer as to why it looks better and why you can't see where it was torn. I guess it's just healing. As long as it's not getting infected and oozing stuff then I'd say it will be fine. If it gets worse take your BP to the vet. Hope this helps n good luck!

Why do you let your python roam around whereever? I'm glad to hear no major damage occured but practice responsible snake keeping. I'll leave the more choice words out of this. You're lucky nothing worse happened and you need to think if a snake is for you if you plan on keeping up irresponsible practices.

B

I own a cat and a ball python. I never ever leave the cat in my room when i have the snake out. My cat has a very high prey drive and I know he would hurt my snake if gvien a chance. I don't even let the cat in my room when my snake is secure and safe in his tub.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Simple Man

and you need to think if a snake is for you if you plan on keeping up irresponsible practices.
B

---

Didn't ask for you to be a jerk. My snake has been with me for years so I'm pretty damn sure that the snake is for me.

And you ask why I let her roam around the room? Because there's no reason to keep her trapped in her cage all day when she's such a sweetheart.

As for this thread turning into a cat and snake issue that was just the back story for you guys... I have had them in the same room plenty of times and like I said the cat tends to not even know the snake is out. This was a one time occurrence out of many many times so you guys should calm down.

I was mostly interested in why she is not using her hides... if you aren't gonna talk to me about the issue then don't bother commenting.

Also, clearly this won't be occurring again but there's nothing I can do to change what already happened.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ScottNBecky

Well first off I'm gonna say this and I'm not jumping on you, but if your gonna have your snake out of it's cage put the cat in another room. That was an accident waiting to happen and now it did. So just in the future no play dates with the cat n the BP lol. For now just keep the humidity up and wait for a shed. I can't answer as to why it looks better and why you can't see where it was torn. I guess it's just healing. As long as it's not getting infected and oozing stuff then I'd say it will be fine. If it gets worse take your BP to the vet. Hope this helps n good luck!

---

Thanks for the reply. :) I appreciate it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WannaTouchMySnake

Didn't ask for you to be an jerk. My snake has been with me for years so I'm pretty damn sure that the snake is for me.

And you ask why I let her roam around the room? Because there's no reason to keep her trapped in her cage all day when she's such a sweetheart.

As for this thread turning into a cat and snake issue that was just the back story for you guys... I have had them in the same room plenty of times and like I said the cat tends to not even know the snake is out. This was a one time occurrence out of many many times so you guys should calm down.

I was mostly interested in why she is not using her hides... if you aren't gonna talk to me about the issue then don't bother commenting.

---

You should have known before posting that a lot of people were going to be upset about the cat and the snake in the same room. It's a bad idea, end of story. You could have easily written your original post so that you didn't look like an irresponsible pet owner letting your cat and your snake roam free around the room.

As for your snake's injury, just keep and eye on it and make sure nothing happens. She may shed soon to replace the damaged eye cap, but I don't know for sure, I've never experienced something like this. I have no idea why she isn't using her hides, it could be that she doesn't feel secure any more since it appears she was attacked close by.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WannaTouchMySnake

Didn't ask for you to be a jerk. My snake has been with me for years so I'm pretty damn sure that the snake is for me.

And you ask why I let her roam around the room? Because there's no reason to keep her trapped in her cage all day when she's such a sweetheart.

As for this thread turning into a cat and snake issue that was just the back story for you guys... I have had them in the same room plenty of times and like I said the cat tends to not even know the snake is out. This was a one time occurrence out of many many times so you guys should calm down.

I was mostly interested in why she is not using her hides... if you aren't gonna talk to me about the issue then don't bother commenting.

---

Well, my goodness! Calm down. I am just saying that in my situation I never leave my cat in the room with my snake because I absolutely know my cat would hurt my snake. I am not yelling at you or condemning you. Just keep an eye on your snake and everything should be fine. People tend to get a little excited here when folks have snakes that are injured. Everyone here is very passionate about their snakes hence why you see the reactions that you do.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WannaTouchMySnake

Didn't ask for you to be a jerk. My snake has been with me for years so I'm pretty damn sure that the snake is for me.

And you ask why I let her roam around the room? Because there's no reason to keep her trapped in her cage all day when she's such a sweetheart.

---

:O

Quote:

---

As for this thread turning into a cat and snake issue that was just the back story for you guys... I have had them in the same room plenty of times and like I said the cat tends to not even know the snake is out. This was a one time occurrence out of many many times so you guys should calm down.

---

:rolleyes:

Quote:

---

I was mostly interested in why she is not using her hides... if you aren't gonna talk to me about the issue then don't bother commenting.

---

Perhaps you should educate yourself if you plan on keeping an animal. What part of a snake loose and a cat in the same room sounds like a responsible idea?

You're irresponsibility when it comes to housing the snake caused it undue injury and stress. You're lucky worse didn't happen. You can be angry at me all you would like but you're the reason your snake is injured. You project all your anger at me instead of realizing that you're the one that is in the wrong. Fix your keeping habits and your snake won't have to suffer pointless stress and injury.

If you can't handle reading someone else's opinion on the RIGHT way to do something then you probably should't be posting things on an internet forum. You can't pick and choose who responds to your post. Not everyone is going to fluff you up about how you're somehow doing what is best for the snake. I'm certainly not going to pretend you're responsibly keeping a snake if it free roams your room. Add a cat to that equation and the whole mess just exponentially worse as you just learned. Hope you have a great day and realize that keeping your snake housed properly is best for all concerned! That is if you have any concern for your snake.

B

I'm not adding to the conflict, but I just wanted to mention that this is true for most reptiles (including my own snakes and turtles) that it's best for them to stay in their tanks because the temperature and humidity fluctuations can stress them out a lot. That is all, I hope your snake recovers well. :)

LOL ugh, B, you are a jerk. You can say everything you want to tell me without your attitude.:colbert: But the other poster was right when they said I should have known there would be people like you so I'm just gonna ignore you.
:banana::banana::snake::banana::banana::snake::banana::banana:
Thanks to you other guys! :) I'll let you know what happens in case anyone else ever has an eye injury like this one because I couldn't find much when I looked it up... hence the post.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WannaTouchMySnake

LOL ugh, B, you are a jerk. You can say everything you want to tell me without your attitude.:colbert: But the other poster was right when they said I should have known there would be people like you so I'm just gonna ignore you.
:banana::banana::snake::banana::banana::snake::banana::banana:
Thanks to you other guys! :) I'll let you know what happens in case anyone else ever has an eye injury like this one because I couldn't find much when I looked it up... hence the post.

---

You're not gonna make friends around here like that, and in fact, won't be around long at all if you start the name calling. Perhaps you should take a few minutes to read up on the bp.net TOS. Maybe it'll save you from getting infractions and getting banned before you actually learn anything.

But, your feelings on him being a feminine hygiene product aside, B is spot on in his assessment. You are taking on a responsibility as a pet owner to ensure the safety of the animals in your care. You made irresponsible choices in keeping your animals by allowing your snake to free roam your room and allowing your cat to be in the room while your snake was out of the enclosure. There is a responsible way to keep scaly pets and furry pets in the same house without endangering any of them, and frankly, you're doing it wrong... I'm not gonna harp on because you'll take what you want to hear out of this post and ignore the rest. But ultimately, it was your actions that led to the snake's injury and you should expect that members of this community aren't going to make light of it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thewesterngate

I'm not adding to the conflict, but I just wanted to mention that this is true for most reptiles (including my own snakes and turtles) that it's best for them to stay in their tanks because the temperature and humidity fluctuations can stress them out a lot. That is all, I hope your snake recovers well. :)

---

True.. She has good sheds and eats well and has a clean cage with proper temps and humidity but she seems to really enjoy my blankets and things so I feel bad when I know she wants to come out of her cage and roam around. :oops:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Inknsteel

You're not gonna make friends around here like that, and in fact, won't be around long at all if you start the name calling. Perhaps you should take a few minutes to read up on the bp.net TOS. Maybe it'll save you from getting infractions and getting banned before you actually learn anything.

But, your feelings on him being a feminine hygiene product aside, B is spot on in his assessment. You are taking on a responsibility as a pet owner to ensure the safety of the animals in your care. You made irresponsible choices in keeping your animals by allowing your snake to free roam your room and allowing your cat to be in the room while your snake was out of the enclosure. There is a responsible way to keep scaly pets and furry pets in the same house without endangering any of them, and frankly, you're doing it wrong... I'm not gonna harp on because you'll take what you want to hear out of this post and ignore the rest. But ultimately, it was your actions that led to the snake's injury and you should expect that members of this community aren't going to make light of it.

---

Not directing this to you so much as I am just explaining my reacting to B:

I don't appreciate being treated like I know nothing about how to keep a snake just because I may not be doing it the way you do it. My snake is thriving and has an excellent disposition and is a wonderful and happy pet. This was her first ever accident of any kind. That is why I take offense. Because of the condescending tone. And frankly, I only posted to ask a question so I don't care what happens to this account. The internet works both ways... if you're gonna come at someone with an attitude you can't expect nothing in return.

However, you're right. Which is why I'm just ignoring him now. Peace

Alright.. Just finished cleaning up in here.

KEEP IT CIVIL.

Next time, it won't be so pretty.

It's the Internet, everybody has an opinion. This is the first forum I have joined in years because "keyboard warriors". You just have to understand that everyone has an opinion and your more than likely to hear that opinion even when you don't ask for it. But yea that original comment was a bit overboard. I let my 5 drink beer in the car. I know never to leave him alone while doing now because he can put the car in neutral and roll down a hill into the pond. You know about the cat and snake now. Live and learn. Glad to hear it wasn't worse.

Just giving you guys an update in case anyone else ever has this happen...

Got home today from work and her eyes still look really good. She was using her hide too so I'm not sure what made her change her mind but she seems to be doing just great.

I'll let you guys know if anything changes but I think she's more resilient than I gave her credit for.

Sorry again for my attitude earlier, I should have been calmer in my responses.

Hope everyone has a good night and your snakes and pets are all doing well. :)

peace

I still think you do want to take the bp to a real herp vet, though. Cat scratches usually go along with nasty infections, and you may want to put the bp on antibiotics.

... and then you have to wait for the next shed. The next shed will give you a better idea if the eye is in trouble.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WannaTouchMySnake

So here's the deal...

So when I took my ball python out from under the cage immediately to check her I noticed the cat had apparently got her on the eye. The eye cap itself was torn and kinda peeled back exposing the eye. The eye itself looked unscathed though. There was no blood or anything but it looked bad because I know she needs her eye cap.

I had to go to work so I put her in her tank and put up the humidity. (I pump it in with a humidifier) When I came home from work I checked on her and she looked great. I don't know if she peeled the rest of the eye cap off or somehow got it back in place but the torn eye cap was just... gone. If I hadn't seen it happen I wouldn't know there was anything wrong. She looked normal.

So I thought ok I'll hold off on freaking out too much and keep the humidity up and watch her progress closely.

Her eye looks a little cloudy but other than that it looks pretty normal. Nothing looks gross or infected or swollen so I assume that she is healing well. But here's my question that is really confusing me. Since that happens she hasn't been using her hides at all. She roams her cage and then goes to sleep but never inside her hides. It seems like that odd behavior must mean something but I couldn't figure it out.

Has anyone had this before and can tell me what she should look like when going through a normal healing process so I have some sort of idea of what I can expect? Also does anyone have any theory as to her eye miraculously looking great when I got home and what happened to the eye cap? And can anyone give me an idea why she might not be using her hides when her humidity and temps are fine?

Is she afraid to coil up? I can't figure it out. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks :)

---

I'm still trying to figure out what happened with the eye cap..........

Unless she had a retained spectacle, what came off should have been the living spectacle. If that was the case your snake is living with a very vulnerable eye.

I would really recommend taking her to an experienced reptile vet for several reasons. First, to make sure that there has been no structural damage to the surface of the cornea. Second, to verify that the living spectacle has been removed (or seriously compromised) and lastly, to see if she may need some artificial lubrication or other topical treatment to protect an eye potentially stripped of it's living spectacle.

Either way, I would remove any loose substrate and replace with either paper towels or unprinted newspaper. I would remove anything she could rub that eye on, and, until her next shed, I would keep things scrupulously clean.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by loonunit

I still think you do want to take the bp to a real herp vet, though. Cat scratches usually go along with nasty infections, and you may want to put the bp on antibiotics.

... and then you have to wait for the next shed. The next shed will give you a better idea if the eye is in trouble.

---

ditto. Get the snake to a vet. That would be the most responsible thing to do.

I didn't feel like reading all the replies but I read the original post, so I apologize if this has been resolved or if I am repeating someone. Regarding why your BP isn't using it's hides, is it plausible the humidity is not high enough inside them? Try making a 'humid hide' with some sphagnum moss or cypress mulch and see if she moves into it. Other than that, maybe her eyesight is bad cause of the injury and she wants to know whats going on around her tank. But that seems contrary to normal ball python behavior where they would usually retreat to their hide when insecure.

- Devin

New ball python owner advice, caution before proceeding.

I also advise taking the snake to a vet just to be on the safe side.

You have to understand. The people on this forum are very passionate about snakes and most have been working with them for years (some more than I've been alive). They are only trying to advise what is best for your snake. I understand you've been keeping your snake for years like this and until now, had no issues. Just because this is the case, doesn't mean it is the proper way to keep the animal. Letting the snake roam free in your room is very dangerous, especially with a cat involved. Ball pythons are very secretive animals. They like small, dark, warm places (which is probably why he enjoys your blankets). It is not the roaming around he enjoys, but the warmth of the blankets and the darkness itself. Letting him roam on the bed is fine, but always keep an eye on him. And while the snake is out of his cage, it is best to keep the cat out of the room until the snake is put back into his enclosure. I actually keep every single reptile I have in a room that the cats are never allowed into. Some of my cats have high prey drives and a loose snake would be an exotic meal for them. I'm not saying your cat would make a meal of your snake, but there is always the CHANCE. And as the one responsible for your snake's well being, why take that chance?

Just my $0.02. I hope your snake is okay and there is no damage.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WannaTouchMySnake

LOL ugh, B, you are a jerk. You can say everything you want to tell me without your attitude.:colbert: But the other poster was right when they said I should have known there would be people like you so I'm just gonna ignore you.
:banana::banana::snake::banana::banana::snake::banana::banana:
Thanks to you other guys! :) I'll let you know what happens in case anyone else ever has an eye injury like this one because I couldn't find much when I looked it up... hence the post.

---

I was going to say something, but decided to just keep my mouth shut.

Ignore this post.

I love my cat a lot. I would die for that cat if it came down to me or her. HOWEVER, I dont let her.. or any other cat I have into my room which contains the reptiles.

This is a simple concept. Cats and snakes should NEVER interact at all. Infact they should never see each other unless you are holding the snake way out of the cats reach.

I only say that because cats are not turtles. if they are interested and given the chance they will be able to do some instant damage no matter how fast you react. Even if you are inches away and watching them closely

THERE IS NO REASON for any cat or dog to encounter a snake in ones home. ever.

So please, stop letting the snake free-roam when the cats around.

Now, the matter of if its necessary or even beneficial to let a snake free-roam is another story...

As you have learned already, be prepared to hear criticism on this forum. People have their opinions and aren't afraid to voice them. Sometimes we get very defensive because we want to justify the mistake we made. But it is okay to admit our mistakes. And learn from them. Sometimes we just have to respect other's opinions even though they do offend us sometimes.
I hope your bp makes a great recovery :]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Generationshell

As you have learned already, be prepared to hear criticism on this forum. People have their opinions and aren't afraid to voice them. Sometimes we get very defensive because we want to justify the mistake we made. But it is okay to admit our mistakes. And learn from them. Sometimes we just have to respect other's opinions even though they do offend us sometimes.
I hope your bp makes a great recovery :]

---

X2 :gj:

no one (for the most part) here is actually 'mean', just passionate. These are people who know (for the most part) what they're talking about. They just wanna help. :)

I really hope everything turns out well. ^.^

Ok gang, the horse is dead and being pulveruzed over and over and over again... I'm pretty sure they understand what the problem is and have corrected it. I hope your BP makes a full recovery and has no future problems.

For everyone else, people make mistakes including YOU and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that NO ONE would appreciate having someone stand over after you make a mistake and tell you how stupid you are over and over. [STUFF] HAPPENS! Learn from it and move forward! This is supposed to be a helpful forum for us to learn and share experiences not get crusified for making an error....

Take the poor snake to an exotic animal vet. I am refraining from saying anything else, but after you take the snake to a vet, let us know how your BP is doing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by vegastoy

Ok gang, the horse is dead and being pulveruzed over and over and over again... I'm pretty sure they understand what the problem is and have corrected it. I hope your BP makes a full recovery and has no future problems.

For everyone else, people make mistakes including YOU and I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that NO ONE would appreciate having someone stand over after you make a mistake and tell you how stupid you are over and over. [STUFF] HAPPENS! Learn from it and move forward! This is supposed to be a helpful forum for us to learn and share experiences not get crusified for making an error....

---

At the same time, I think it's important to make a mistake recognized as such. If you do something stupid and learn from your mistake that is fine. The op did not illiterate any change in behavior and warranted some negative response IMO.