Possible adoption with retained eyecaps?

[NinaCaliente]

I am considering adopting a little BP who is in an "adoption" cage at Petco. It is labeled "special needs" because it is blind. It apparently had retained eyecaps that never resolved, and the animal care person said a vet examined it and said there was nothing that could be done to save its eyes at this point. Its eyes look like they are covered in scabs. The Petco person said she had been force feeding the snake, but that the little guy has eaten willingly for the last 3 weeks (weekly feedings).

If I were to bring this snake home, what would I be signing up for? Is there anything special that could or should be done for this little snake? Do you think it's likely that he/she would stop feeding again? The poor little thing really touched my heart, but I am worried I would be taking on more than I could handle and cause the snake to suffer. I have never had to force feed a snake before, nor had a snake with retained eyecaps. Do you think I'd be getting in over my head?

[DutchHerp]

There must be something else going on. If they are retained eye caps, they must've gotten infected. If so, then probably all is lost for the snake. If it's not so, you can quite easily remove the eye caps, and then you'll probably just have to nurture the snake back to health.

However, it sounds like this little guy is in pretty bad state.

[NinaCaliente]

There must be something else going on. If they are retained eye caps, they must've gotten infected. If so, then probably all is lost for the snake. If it's not so, you can quite easily remove the eye caps, and then you'll probably just have to nurture the snake back to health.

However, it sounds like this little guy is in pretty bad state.

I think the problem is quite beyond just basic retained eyecaps. It looked almost like there were scabs INSTEAD of eyes.

[DutchHerp]

IMHO the animal should be killed. I mean, this animal can't see, is probably scared poopless, is probably in pain... catch my drift?

I would not take the BP because it would probably be really hard on you too.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

I would have to see the snake with my own eyes to make the call. That said, by your description... if the eyes were not eyes but nasty scabs, I would likely adopt it just to throw it in the freezer.

[hoo-t]

In my experience with Petco's adoptions, they won't adopt an animal out until it has been given a clean bill of health by their vet. What I get from this thread is that the animal is blind. However, if the healing hadn't progressed to the point that the animal was considered "healthy" enough for adoption, it wouldn't be on the adoption table. Pythons hunt using several tracking methods, only one of which is eyesight. They also use smell and heat signature. Chances are this snake could live a relatively normal life in captivity. If it is willingly taking meals, force feeding (or assist feeding) shouldn't be required. If you feed frozen/thawed, you will need to ensure that the prey item is heated to warmer than the surroundings (which it should be anyway). I'm not saying that you SHOULD adopt the snake, just that the situation probably isn't as dire as depicted.

As a side note, I recently adopted a male rat from the local petco which had lost one eye. He had been treated and nursed to health before being put up for adoption. He's doing very well in my care, and is a father now!

Steve

[Slim]

I would have to see the snake with my own eyes to make the call. That said, by your description... if the eyes were not eyes but nasty scabs, I would likely adopt it just to throw it in the freezer.

x2

There is a quality of life issue here in my mind. Adopt it and place it in the freezer. It's best for all envolved.

[NinaCaliente]

I was told that vet stated the snake is blind, but otherwise healthy - i.e., no infections present at this time. The vet's only concern was the snake's refusal to feed, but since then the snake has been eating on its own for the last 3 weeks. If the snake eats and is otherwise healthy, is blindness alone a reason to euthanize the animal? My DH held it, and it seemed a bit skittish at first but calmed down nicely in DH's hand.

[DutchHerp]

Hmm that changes my opinion a little bit. If there's no more infection and the scabs are only scar tissue, it shouldn't be painful anymore. As Steve said, vision is not the only sense necessary for feeding.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

I was told that vet stated the snake is blind, but otherwise healthy - i.e., no infections present at this time. The vet's only concern was the snake's refusal to feed, but since then the snake has been eating on its own for the last 3 weeks. If the snake eats and is otherwise healthy, is blindness alone a reason to euthanize the animal? My DH held it, and it seemed a bit skittish at first but calmed down nicely in DH's hand.

How can you possibly believe that there are no infections present if it has scabs all over its eyes? Use some common sense here please.