Mouth abscess affecting eye?

[Kristen Marie]

Last night was feeding night (I work retail, so my hours are screwy). My California King snake, Mini, who is about 3 years old, was the last to be fed. When I pulled her out, I noticed her left eye was incredibly swollen and there looked to be blood underneath the eye cap. She obviously refused feed ( all my snakes are on F/T)


image by ChestyLaRue627, on Flickr

Of course, I burst into tears and start searching for nearby reptile vets. I call around this morning and finally get an appointment for this evening.

We take Mini in. It's freezing, and I have her in a small sterilite container with a disposable heat pad I wrapped in paper towels and verified the temps (with my temp gun, for over an hour).

She was an absolute trooper. Not at all stressed, probably wondering what the heck mom was doing putting her in a tiny box. The vet comes in.... and she wants nothing to do with him. I have to hold her while he tries to open her mouth. Even after that, she's calm and just tries to hide in my hair. The vet says he thinks its an abscess or infection in her mouth. He prescribes Baytril injections. Mini is a trooper thru the injection of the needle, but when he starts plunging in the meds, she starts freaking out. The vet gives me syringes and Baytril for the next 3 weeks. She's curled up, resting right now, but I'm dreading her next injection. I'm scared of hitting something important. The vet also told me Baytril can irritate tissue, so I have to alternate sides. I think I would feel more comfortable injecting a larger snake... But she's only 200 grams. Here is an up close picture of her eye


image by ChestyLaRue627, on Flickr


image by ChestyLaRue627, on Flickr

Does anyone have any experience with this? Any advice? I'm hoping the vet knows what he's talking about

[Skiploder]

Did the vet find an actual abscess or an infection in her mouth?

If he didn't, and is guessing, it's time to find another vet.

Several things can caused an eye to swell like that. Many times, it is an infection of the lacrimal duct. The duct can be plugged or it can be infected. The lacrimal fluid cannot drain into the mouth and eye swells up. If no infection is present, it is usually clear. Either way, the pressure of the swelling is very uncomfortable for the animal.

Sometimes irrigating it can help, and real reptile vets are taught how to manually drain them.

If the ducts are plugged or swollen due to irritation, antibiotics may be not help relieve the primary cause and will only stave off a secondary infection. It is therefore critical that the vet identifies the problem rather than prescribes an antibiotic that only relieve the swelling in your bank account.

[DooLittle]

That poor baby, what ever it is, I hope she's ok. Thanks for your insight Skip.

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[Kristen Marie]

Thank you, Skip. I'm going to have to make some calls tomorrow and see if I can find someone who knows what they're doing .

[Kristen Marie]

I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to Skiploder! It was indeed an issue with her lacrimal duct. Through a few friends asking around, I was able to find an amazing local vet who is experienced with reptiles AND had previous experience with lacrimal duct issues. I had to work, so my bf took Mini in. The Vet called me at work to explain everything and tell me his recommendation. The good news is the fluid inside her eye was not infected. He drained the eye by making a very small incision. He told us to continue with the Baytril shots and also provided us with an ointment to put on her eye. He said she should be fine by her next shed. She was such a trooper through the whole ordeal, and I hope she's finally not in pain.

And as usual, she won't sit still for pictures.


image by ChestyLaRue627, on Flickr


image by ChestyLaRue627, on Flickr

[RoseyReps]

Yay! Hope she has a swift recovery! I'm sure she is already feeling much better without that fluid swelling her eye.

[DooLittle]

Thank you Skip, for your infinate knowledge! Op, so glad your snake has an accurate diagnosis, and a road to recovery! Yay, Mini!!!

[Solarsoldier001]

I'm glad you went to another vet. Thanks skip!

You help such a pretty mini XD


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[Robyn@SYR]

Skip is correct. When you see a swollen/infected eye, it is often a secondary issue stemming from a mouth infection that has worked its way through the duct to overspill in the eye socket.

Swollen eye = pop open the mouth and look for impaction/cheese.

It is usually a quick remedy once you make this connection, good to see of your success!

[ShadowSong]

SOO glad she's feeling better!!

And good job for going to a different vet. I'm headed to a different vet next time one of my babies gets sick... the old one isn't all that good with reptiles....