Retained Eyecap?

Aster, my youngest BP (around 4 months old), has an eye that looks like it's possibly retained but the skin is sticking up more than flat and cracky looking. Should I leave her eye alone until she sheds? Should I soak her?
It's one of her eyes only, it actually looked normal after she shed (which was a week ago, it started looking weird today though). ;(
Is this going to call for a vet visit? We have 2 feet of snow and can't get out.
She's acting normal and is active as always, not aggressive. I can take a picture if needed.

A picture is always best .... When is the last time she shed?

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Originally Posted by T_Sauer

A picture is always best .... When is the last time she shed?

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I was able to feed her on Sunday, so I believe Thursday or so was when she last shed.
I'll send an image in literally a minute, have to take her out.

Sorry, you answered my question in your OP, I overlooked it lol

http://imgur.com/a/0ZhGQ

This shows her "bad" eye and her good eye. I had my mom's boyfriend take the picture and hold her because she's very squirmy and my camera isn't as great as his.

Mine just she's last night and her eyes both looked fine even after the poor shed. I clearly saw both eye caps on the skin but I looked today and her eye looked like of like that too...

Mine just she's last night and her eyes both looked fine even after the poor shed. I clearly saw both eye caps on the skin but I looked today and her eye looked like of like that too... http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01...0416b634bf.jpg

I would give her a humid hide and she will more than likely be able to sort it out on her own .... As said above I also make it routine to unravel all of my snakes sheds to check for both eye caps before I throw it in the trash

Alright, just wanted to make sure it was something she could do herself without having to soak, etc.!
Thank you.
I love checking my sheds, I don't know why, but it's just neat! I used to giggle about seeing the eyes on my older snake's shed (I still do, though).

If it's a real concern to you .
Can't see what harm a 20 minute soak in a snake- temp water will do tbh - then let it slide through a damp / wet towel - apply very gentle pressure .

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Originally Posted by MichPlat

If it's a real concern to you .
Can't see what harm a 20 minute soak in a snake- temp water will do tbh - then let it slide through a damp / wet towel - apply very gentle pressure .

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It won't really do any harm per say, but baths are stressful to bp's so really it would just cause unnecessary stress plus it's an eye issue and unless startled "stressed" it will not be putting it's head under water to soak the area of issue

I think you should raise the humidity in the whole enclosure and include the hide. What type of substrate is she living on? You may want to consider switching to a 100% cypress mulch or Eco earth. Also get the sphagnum moss for the hide. This condition usually responds to increases in humidity right away. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by T_Sauer

It won't really do any harm per say, but baths are stressful to bp's so really it would just cause unnecessary stress plus it's an eye issue and unless startled "stressed" it will not be putting it's head under water to soak the area of issue

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To be fair , I don't think they get stressed at all - like anything - they will initially try every nook and cranny to find a way out but they quickly settle down and will happily put their heads under water whilst they're in there .

Wrinkled eyes can be a sign of dehydration. Make sure you have a large water bowl and your humidity is 50%+. No need to soak the snake for wrinkled eyes. Always double check husbandry first.

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Originally Posted by Bumblebalz

Wrinkled eyes can be a sign of dehydration. Make sure you have a large water bowl and your humidity is 50%+. No need to soak the snake for wrinkled eyes. Always double check husbandry first.

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Slight tangent but wouldn't dehydration or possible dehydration be a good reason to give one a short soak though ??

In case you were wondering, the definition of stress in a Ball Python looks a little like this:

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Originally Posted by MichPlat

they will initially try every nook and cranny to find a way out

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Your mileage may vary...Now back to your regularly scheduled programing.

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Originally Posted by Slim

In case you were wondering, the definition of stress in a Ball Python looks a little like this:



Your mileage may vary...Now back to your regularly scheduled programing.

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Again to be fair , I'm guessing that's simply YOUR definition of snake stress - if you put any snake or anything in a tub of water they're going to have a good look around , I don't see that as stress especially as they'll settle down in a minute or so and happily soak .
I'd be more concerned if it just sat in the tub , motionless tbh

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Originally Posted by MichPlat

and happily soak

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I would urge caution when determining what makes your snake happy.

Bottom line, there are a couple of ways to deal with this situation that don't require putting your snake in the dunk tank.

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Originally Posted by MichPlat

Slight tangent but wouldn't dehydration or possible dehydration be a good reason to give one a short soak though ??

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Ball python skin and scales are water resistant. They don't really soak up water. The only way a soak could help when it comes to dehydration is if the snake just happens to take a drink. The humidity in the air that the snake breathes in, the food that that they eat and the water they rarely take a drink of are the only true way a snake stays hydrated.

Also a tangent to farther explain. Soaking does however help with a stuck shed. The water gets between the shed and the new scales and helps to separate and lubricate to get the shed off.

These are just my beliefs, along with my experience and breeder friends of mine. The only times i soak are for stuck sheds ( of what rarely happen for me. proper humidity is key ) and if my snakes want to act like a patient in a psychic ward and waller in their poop.

Oh well you guys appear to know best ;)
It's funny that many vets recommend a short soak for dehydrated snakes and usually with an additive to replace lost minerals , as I understand .

What do they know , though ... Eh ?

One other point .
If soaking a snake is so very , very stressful to snakes - why on earth do so many of them choose to sit in their own water dishes or purposely supplied water bowls ??

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Originally Posted by MichPlat

One other point .
If soaking a snake is so very , very stressful to snakes - why on earth do so many of them choose to sit in their own water dishes or purposely supplied water bowls ??

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I duuno maybe because they choose to do that as opposed to having a giant pick them up and put them into water unexpectedly then leave no way for escape.

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Originally Posted by MichPlat

What do they know , though ... Eh ?

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When it comes to snakes and reptiles in general, many of them don't know their cloaca from their elbow.

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Originally Posted by MichPlat

why on earth do so many of them choose to sit in their own water dishes or purposely supplied water bowls ??

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Mites, bad husbandry, thinks it's and anaconda...

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Originally Posted by Slim

When it comes to snakes and reptiles in general, many of them don't know their cloaca from their elbow.



Mites, bad husbandry, thinks it's and anaconda...

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An unfortunate truth. Takes some searching to find an actually good herp vet. Just cuz they are a vet doesn't mean they know how to properly treat snakes

Ball pythons don't commonly soak in their bowls. As stated above, if they are soaking it's possibly due to mites, or other health issues. Boa Constrictors are a different story; they commonly soak themselves. But BPs? Mine never soak themselves.

If you are going to soak your BP, it needs to be done properly: use warm water, and put a towel or rag in the bottom so the snake has something to rub its old shed off on. Also make sure you monitor it to make sure it doesn't get too stressed out.