dented eyes

[Super_Smash]

Pandora always has dented eyes. I see her drinking, and her water bowl looks like it's been used. When she hasn't been in shed, i've made the humidity around 75% all day, just to try and make the dents go away. i've also tried soaking her NUMEROUS times, but she still has dented eyes all the time.

I heard it could be because her electrolytes are low, and that soaking her in clear gatorade would bring them back up.

Any suggestions?

[rex322]

using a pedalyte/water mixture works to. someone will be along to give you more detail

[padiente]

I would actually say that, if it is neccassary, using pedialyte would be far better for your snake for the same reasons it is better for humans. Gatorage had all kinds of extra fillers, flavors, and crap that no one actually needs. I would get plain, clear pedialyte w/water and be done with it

[Smynx]

Are you sure she doesn't have any retained eyecaps?

[guitrage]

What the heck are dented eyes? Anyone got a pic?

[Smynx]

Instead of the eye appearing smooth and round, like a marble, it is actually sunken in in one or more places.

[guitrage]

And this doesn't do any long-term damage to the eye? Does it impair their vision?

[Smynx]

It probably does to some extent, at least while the eye is dented. If it's just due to dehydration, a good boost in humidity should fix it. But if it's a retained eyecap that has adhered to the eye, it could do permanent damage.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Super_Smash,

Let me guess ... over head heat? bulbs? ceramic heat elements? .... The only time I've seen dented eyes is when using these types of heaters. They tend to cast a very dry heat even if the overall humidity in the enclosure is correct. I've never seen a snake on belly heat with dents like that. Soaking and misting really don't help, but the good news is that if your snake is eating and shedding properly, there is no harm or long term damage caused by the dents. I've rescued ball pythons that have had dented eyes for years and are now in my collection feeding aggressively and doing well (with nice smooth eyes).

Hope this helps.

-adam

[sophie42204]

I only use heating pads as my heat source and both Sophie and Smitty have experienced the 'dented eye' syndrome. However, it's never lasted more than a few hours and it was always right before a shed. Bumping up the humidity worked in all cases.