Possible Cataracts in 2.5Year Old BEL

[dakski]

Happy Thanksgiving.


First, it is possible they are cataracts, but I am not qualified to access that. Additionally, I do not think it would be a huge issue if they were. I would also add, that if it is cataracts, it is probably not from anything you did.

It is possible that the eye issue is from a shed, but I do not see stuck eyecap, etc.

Secondly, I've done some reading and cataracts can occur in snakes. Usually it is due to age, but Ball Pythons seem more susceptible than some other snakes.

Vets (qualified) can perform something called Phacoemulsification, which is surgery that fixes the cataract. It is usually done in only one eye and has risks and a long recovery. The reasons for one eye is the risks and recovery, but also because they can compensate well and can do very well with one eye.

Probably not a road you want to go down.

Snakes can compensate well and ball pythons do not have great eye sight to begin with. Further, and this is my opinion, they probably do better than other snakes because they do not rely on vision as much and have heat pits to help them identify prey.

On the prey side, do you feed frozen/thawed prey? If you do, great, it will be much safer for your BP if visions problems exist and worsen. If you do not feed F/T, now would be a good time to switch.

Additionally, I would be aware of potential vision impairment and be careful when taking your snake out your enclosure. Make sure your BP is aware you are there and going to pick them up. Hook training is a great way to do this.

Finally, getting a vets opinion makes sense if you want to know for sure what is going on. However, I would say, "do not cry until you are cut." In other words, if your BP is not having issues, and may never have serious issues, do not worry about doing anything about. Just be cognizant.

Bottom line: Find out what it is, if anything (to make sure it isn't serious), but you probably won't want to do anything about it, IMO, if it is just vision impairment.

Good luck and keep us posted.