My BP has cracked/dry looking eyes?? Im really scared

So i relatively recently got my first ball python, a het albino female (Whom I've lovingly dubbed Roxy).
And a while ago I noticed her eyes had begun to look cracked/dry, and i know it's not a retained eye cap because both caps were on her last shed, and the cracked appearance started becoming apparent just a couple days after she shed. I've heard it might be a humidity issue, so i started spritzing the warm side of her cage down with water to bring up the humidity, and covering two thirds of the top of the cage (it's a screen topped tank) and I've been doing this for a few weeks but I've seen no improvement. I've been replacing her water regularily too. I'm really scared that my poor Roxy might go blind ;-;
She's also been making a kind of soft whistling noise when she breaths, but it doesn't seem to harmful to her. Though I haven't really had her long enough to know her FULL personality. it doesn't seem to have changed much other than the fact that shes been moving around her tank a bit more in the last couple days.

What are your temperatures and humidity?

Im not sure what the exact humidity is, because the guy reccominding all the stuff didnt mention that we should have gotten a reader, but the temperature is around 80-85 0n the warm side and around 70-75 on the cool side.

Your temps are too low for starters. The warm side should be 90-92F and cool side should be 80-85F. As for humidity it should be around 60%. This could be caused by low humidity or dehydration. If there is a large bowl of water in her cage and her skin is not wrinkled I doubt that she is dehydrated. What kind of substrate are you using. Best substrate for humidity is coconut husk or cypress mulch. I suggest you get sphagnum moss and place it all around her tank and in her hides to up humidity. Cracked eye caps will not heal per-say. It will take a few sheds for the eye caps to get back to normal. Which means keeping the humidity up for then next few months. During this period it may be best to stick her in a tub enclosure where humidity can be controlled a little easier. It is always good to have a back up "medical" tub container anyway just in case something is wrong in the tank such as mites or an RI.

The whistling is very common especially when handling. If your ball python starts making popping noises, then you should be concerned but not with whistling.

Alright, I'll try to get some more powerful bulbs for her, thank you sososooo much I REALLY appreciate it. I'm using Cypress mulch for her currently and her skin is not wrinkled. Unfortunately, I do not have a tub enclosure for her currently, but i will be sure to talk to my dad about aquiring a humidity reader. Would it be alright/acceptable if i just tried the moss for now? We're REALLY short on money and having a kinda hard time right now, so im not sure we'd be able to get a proper tub enclosure for her ;-;

Powerful bulbs? You have a heat pad right? You really should get a heat pad if you do not have one. You will also need to get the thermostat for the heat pad. You can just buy a lamp dimmer switch and use that as a thermostat. Use the moss, it will help.

We don't have a heat pad, or a thermostat for one. Currently we're just using heat bulbs/lamp because that's what the man at the reptile store reccommended because we're quite strapped on money and couldnt afford the big fancy stuff like heat pads and such. ;-;

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Originally Posted by OrientalSpade

We don't have a heat pad, or a thermostat for one. Currently we're just using heat bulbs/lamp because that's what the man at the reptile store reccommended because we're quite strapped on money and couldnt afford the big fancy stuff like heat pads and such. ;-;

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You really need to save up and get a UTH + thermostat, or ask family members for them for Christmas (or amazon.com gift cards...). A vet bill to treat a respiratory infection will cost more than the UTH + thermostat.

Okay, I really don't want to sound mean... If you cannot afford proper husbandry for an animal, you really should not get one. What happens when your ball python gets sick and it needs a vet? Seems a little unfair. I understand what it means to have no money. I lived for 4 years on welfare. After that I worked for minimum wage at a coffee shop. I know what it means to have little money. You cannot have an animal in a situation where you cannot afford to get it what it needs. It seems unfair, I know but the ball python did not ask to be put in a situation where it cannot live in home that it needs. You need to find a heat pad... Kijiji or craigs list is a good place to start for a second hand one. Dimmer switches can be found for $10 at any hardware store. If you have it... soak a few pieces of paper towels and place them staggered around the cage. Works well but moss would do better. Cover the top of the cage with Aluminum foil leaving a small hole for the heat lamp. This will help prevent the moisture from escaping.

The best place to get information is on sites like this one and google is a really good place to start. Pet store employees are horrible for information. We can help you where we can on this site and will give you the information you need. It is up to you to choose what you think is right.

OrientalSpade <---Nice screen name, i'll PM you a method i use...

@ Ec: Thank you ^ ^
@ BCS:
Yes I know, but I need you all need to understand something that I forgot to mention. Roxy is a therapy animal. We purchased her because I have a love of snakes, and I have quite severe depression that I REALLY needed help with, we got roxy through and organization that helps financially challenged people get therapy animals. We don't have the money to support a more costly animal such as a dog, so we turned to the best thing we could think of, a snake. And I'm sorry if im somehow sounding mean but Please know that yes, i did my research, and i got roxy from a reputable store specializing in reptiles, ESPECIALLY ball pythons. The place is known as Twin Cities Reptiles if you'd like to know. The people there helped me a lot and they helped me pick out all the things that in their experience, worked the best. I apologize if I've done something wrong, but all the people there suggested heat bulbs and lamps, pointed out the right size tanks for a snake her size/age, gave ne their reccomended kind of mulch and other various things. I'm really trying my best, okay? Please understand that Im definitely NOT trying to hurt Roxy, im really, really trying my best here.
I'm going to TRY my darn hardest to get ahold of a heat pad and a dimmer, but i cant make gurantees. Im not sure we have enough tinfoil to cover the whole top of the tank (it's a forty gallon) i've been using a blanket as of late. I know I can probably afford the moss if I talk to the financial support people at my school. Im really trying hard guys, i want roxy to have the best home she can have.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OrientalSpade

We don't have a heat pad, or a thermostat for one. Currently we're just using heat bulbs/lamp because that's what the man at the reptile store reccommended because we're quite strapped on money and couldnt afford the big fancy stuff like heat pads and such. ;-;

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Okay, no offense intended, but the guy at the reptile store should not have sold you that snake. Sounds like he just wanted to make the sale and not ensure you were set up correctly. If you can't afford a correct set up, you sure can't afford the vet bills for the sick reptile that will result from improper husbandry. If you're strapped for cash, here's the least expensive thing you can do to get set up right: buy an indoor/outdoor hygrometer/thermometer combo from Walmart. They're like 10 bucks. See if they also have a Hydrofarm thermostat. Should be in their garden department as they're used for heating seed sprouting trays. They might not have them this time of year, so you can order one off amazon if you don't find one in the store. Should be $30 plus about $5 in shipping if you get it online. That is THE MOST NECESSARY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE. DO NOT SKIP IT. The thermostat regulates the heat output of your heat pad or heat tape. Without it, the heating element will run at it's max unregulated temps, which can easily climb into 130 or 140 f range and either burn your animal or start a fire. Hydrofarm Jumpstart is the cheapest thermostat you can get that I would still trust to function correctly and for extended periods. Next, get a heat pad or a strip of heat tape from Reptile Basics. You're not likely to find a better deal on equipment unless you manage to snag some really killer holiday sales at a brick and mortar supply store, or on Amazon or Ebay. All except their biggest size are under $30 and a lot are on sale rn. If you can't afford a heat pad, order a strip of heat tape and the connectors, and select the option for RB to connect the whole thing for you before they ship. That way when you get it all you have to do is throw some electrical tape over the busbars (the shiny copper parts) of the cut end of heat tape and plug it in to your thermostat. Plug the tstat into the wall, and set the temp at 92, put the heat source under your tank, and you should be good for a hot spot. To boost ambient without raising your room temps, you can also get a CHE (ceramic heat emitter).

Now to address humidity, which is most likely what's affecting your snake's eyecaps. If you are using a tank, which it sounds like you are, using all this heat can quickly dry out your tank. No matter how often or how much you spray, it will evaporate right out of the screen top. Some people have figured out ways to block the moisture from escaping, like putting a tinfoil wrapped piece of cardboard over most of the screen. But your easiest and safest bet is to create a humid hide. This functions as a micro climate that your snake can choose to use when it needs, or leave when it doesn't and you don't have to worry about maintaining correct humidity through out the whole enclosure. For a humid hide, get a plastic hide- this can be as simple as an appropriately sized plastic storage container- make an access hole just big enough for the snake if their isn't one already, and line it with dampened media. Most commonly used is sphagnum moss, but paper towels will work too. It's should be damp but not dripping, so squeeze out excess moisture. place it between the cool and warm sides and give your snake a chance to investigate and use it.

If you have anymore questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OrientalSpade

@ Ec: Thank you ^ ^
@ BCS:
Yes I know, but I need you all need to understand something that I forgot to mention. Roxy is a therapy animal. We purchased her because I have a love of snakes, and I have quite severe depression that I REALLY needed help with, we got roxy through and organization that helps financially challenged people get therapy animals. We don't have the money to support a more costly animal such as a dog, so we turned to the best thing we could think of, a snake. And I'm sorry if im somehow sounding mean but Please know that yes, i did my research, and i got roxy from a reputable store specializing in reptiles, ESPECIALLY ball pythons. The place is known as Twin Cities Reptiles if you'd like to know. The people there helped me a lot and they helped me pick out all the things that in their experience, worked the best. I apologize if I've done something wrong, but all the people there suggested heat bulbs and lamps, pointed out the right size tanks for a snake her size/age, gave ne their reccomended kind of mulch and other various things. I'm really trying my best, okay? Please understand that Im definitely NOT trying to hurt Roxy, im really, really trying my best here.
I'm going to TRY my darn hardest to get ahold of a heat pad and a dimmer, but i cant make gurantees. Im not sure we have enough tinfoil to cover the whole top of the tank (it's a forty gallon) i've been using a blanket as of late. I know I can probably afford the moss if I talk to the financial support people at my school. Im really trying hard guys, i want roxy to have the best home she can have.

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No one who knows ball pythons well will suggest setting one up in a glass tank with heat lamps and an open mesh top, because keeping the correct humidity in that sort of setup is almost impossible - the laws of physics will beat you every time. Stores push that stuff because the markup on it is high, not because it's good for keeping your snake healthy and in an optimum environment unless you spend a lot more money, time, and effort to make it correct.

Unfortunately I made the same mistake when I started out. My suggestion for now is to get a piece of cardboard large enough to cover the tank, cut out a hole 2" wider in diameter than the lamp, wrap the cardboard in foil, and put it on top of the tank to help hold in heat and humidity. You will probably have to weigh down the corners. Alternatively you could wrap the top in Glad Press n Seal, just leaving an area clear for the light fixture. You can throw a wet towel underneath for added humidity, and you can make a humid hide as well, there are instructions on how to do it if you search.

Thank you guys, a lot. I really appreciate it. I will talk to the organization people and see if theres something we can do to fix this mess. I'm going to do my best, thank you guys so much

Twin cities reptile is a good place. I'm surprised they sold all that stuff to you. They know better.

You have to pay to play.

You could even try a cookie sheet or something to cover the top. Don't use a blanket. Blanket + heat lamp = fire. If you don't have enough foil , buy some. If you can't afford a roll of foil, you shouldn't have the snake. How will you buy feeders?

Ive seen uth controllers pop up on google shopping for about $10. Doesn't get better than that. Remember: dimmers are unreliable and most of them will immediatly half your uth's heating ability. I also suggest attaching one to the side of your enclosure to greatly reduce the need for using lights to provide heat(it just eats humidity with lights only). Untamed uth's can spike 150f reeeeeal fast like.

To help temps, even taping/wrapping an old blanket or towel around 2/3 sides will help for now.

We actually threw the screen top away and made a taller(12in), mostly solid lid for our 40. Even before i swapped to natural planted it greatly helped humidity. Tin foil and other remedies do help minimally, but on an extreme tight budget, youll fast learn to be a diy guy and recycle almost everything you see to help your cause till ya get it right.

Can you post a pic of your setup so far?

Quick update continued in this thread for anyone following.