I don't deserve these animals!

[Okeetee_Corn_Snakes]

Aarrrg!

I do not know if you guys knew about Buddy and his swollen eye, but it got better only a few days after the vet seen him. Here is the thread.

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82115

So he was all healed up and everything was going perfect. Until tonight. He escaped. My guess is that the cat jumped up on the tank and the sliding screen lid unlatched with her weight and he made it out of the tiny space available. I found him crammed behind the tank against the wall. When I picked him up he tried to get away and he has good muscle strength. BUT he has a few scales sticking up and the worst! His good eye is dented in.

I checked him over and his bones seem ok. What I am kicking my butt over is that I just got really sick and spent a lot of money to get better and Work cut us both down in hours. (Full time now only 28 hours a week) He was just at the vet and had healed wonderfully. He doesn't deserve this! I have no money and I do not want to make him wait till I can get a new job. I am applying for another one tomorrow and then find any way I can to get him to the vet in the next few days.

I just wanted to ask if anyone has ever had an eye injury similar? He had a small dent once that was just from lower humidity and I have fixed that with daily misting in the winter. But this was caused from trauma. Anyone have any clue on how the vets might fix it? or what Buddy's chances are? Want me to post a picture? Any ways I can keep him comfortable until he sees a vet? He is so precious to me!

I have him on paper towel, huge water bowl, 72 cool side and 85 hot side, two hides.


(I think after this I am finding good homes for all of my snakes. I just have no luck. I feel so bad for him...)

 

[Okeetee_Corn_Snakes]

Ugh....Its been hours later and I cannot sleep. I just feel like a horrible monster.

I looked over his viv and tried to fix it up so she cannot jump up on it. I am asking the landlord to fix the spare room door so it actually latches shut and the cat cannot push herself in. If I had only asked him months ago this would have been prevented.

 

[Caryl]

I've never dealt with an eye injury on one of my snakes, and without a photo it's difficult to say if Buddy requires a vet's attention. A dented eye sounds serious; the lifted scales can likely be dealth with at home with some antibiotic ointment. If you believe a vet is needed, you might consider calling your vet and explaining the situation to him/her. Almost every vet I've known would be willing to work out some sort of payment plan so that Buddy could get needed medical attention. At least you found him alive after his escape; we're not always that lucky.

I'm sorry your situation is difficult. I hope someone with eye injury experience comes along soon to offer advice. Good luck to you.

 

[Kali]

Unfortunately I have no good advice to give you, only a big hug and hopefully everything will be ok very soon!

(I think after this I am finding good homes for all of my snakes. I just have no luck. I feel so bad for him...)

I hope that was a thought that just came along in the middle of a bad situation. Do not do this for a reason like this. Obviously you love your snakes very much. Too many people do not take accurate care of their pets (snakes or others), and would not be as worried as you are now and looking for the best solution. You do, so whatever happens, at least your Buddy has someone that cares for him and does the best he can.

hugzz

 

[tstephe3]

Don't get rid of your snakes.. You obviously love them and do a ton for them. This kind of stuff happens to the best of us. I'm hoping the eye dent is not that serious and can be fixed easily. Just hang in there. It should get better.

 

[Marica]

I so sorry to hear all that you have gone through Grace. After reading your posts it is obvious how much you love your little ones. My thoughts are with you and I wish you all the best.

 

[Buzzard]

Need pic. ... I can't say whether she will lose her eye but I will tell you I have seen plenty of snakes with the use of one eye do just fine. It sounds like a freak accident, don't get rid of your snakes. You would regret it, Cause it sure sounds like you love them to death. Caryl has the right idea, call the vet and try to make arrangements. I hope everything works out, good luck..

 

[Okeetee_Corn_Snakes]

Thank you everyone for all of the kind words! It really means a lot to me. I am doing everything in my power to get Buddy the help he needs.

 

[Okeetee_Corn_Snakes]

Here are some pictures guys. The vet is going to call me tomorrow and if he can wait until payday then thats OK but if not then all I can really do is try to get a cash advance.

These are so scary to look at...

He seems happy and going about his tank, tongue flicking. I am still so worried for him though. I can see a few scratches on him and his eye is clearly dented but I do not know what internal trauma went on.

Here is his tank. I can't remember what it is called but it is a 40gal with a sliding screen top. I have boards sitting across the top now so the cat cannot break it. I never expected this to happen.

Here is the worst of his scratches...

And here are the raised scales...

 

[PJ@PJCReptiles]

(sorry but I didnt read your whole post...)

Did your cat get ahold of your snake for sure? You might be surprised at hold hardy they can be. Of course, not hatchlings but from what I see, the snake should pull through minus any internal injuries! The eye could be dented due to the need to shed that old eye cap the was so swollen from before. He could be a bit on the dehydrated side too and that could make his eye dent as well. As for the cut, could be the cat or the from sneaking out on you. The flipped up scales, I would say, are from he getting out and squeezing himself through something small.

Good luck and keep us posted.

PJ

 

[mynee]

I work for a boarded vet ophthalmologist that is also a snake enthusiast... Want me to ask him for advice? I've never seen a dented eye like that, but then we VERY rarely see snakes at our clinic. His cornea doesn't look ruptured or otherwise seriously damaged, just dented. My doc would probably be interested in seeing those pictures irregardless (he's also a photographer- does stuff for NatGeo... the man gets around!). So, if it's ok with you, I can email him those pics and see what he thinks.

Let me know!

 

[wade]

I can't tell from the pictures, what is on the right side of the cage that the snake would want to look at?

 

[Caryl]

I'm with Mynee. The eye itself appears to be okay; the dent looks to me like it's just the lens cap, which is far less serious than what I was imagining. Do keep us posted, but I'm feeling pretty confident that all will be well with time, patience, humidity, and maybe some ointment.

 

[Emmanuel.S]

accidents like this happens which is why i ALWAYS close the door and don't let my cat even know that i have snakes.
the best of luck :awcrap:

 

[Okeetee_Corn_Snakes]

PJ, I wish it was an old eyecap that needs to come off, and I would even be happy if it was a simple humidity problem. When he had his swelling it was his other eye, and he did have an early shed cycle to help fix the problem. No...I assume this was caused from getting out of his tank or a bite from the cat. When I had him out earlier that morning his eye was fine. Thank you PJ for the answers on the flipped scales and scratches. I really wish you were right about the low humidity! Would make solving this so much easier!

I took some more pictures to show you guys how dented it is

But you guys are right! When you look closely it doesn't look like the actual eye is damaged

 

[Okeetee_Corn_Snakes]

I can't tell from the pictures, what is on the right side of the cage that the snake would want to look at?

I have wires one one side and bar bells on the other. Or do you mean on the inside?

 

[Crimson.Dawn]

Best of luck to you hun, I wouldn't find a new home if I where you, trust me I've received snakes from ppl who dont care a fraction of what you do in far worse condition, never encountered a dented eye though, the ruffled scales and scratches will heal with the nest few sheds. no worries there. the eye looks like its not ruptured. they have very thick scales over their eyes, you might want to try holding something on the side that eye is on and see if he responds that way you'll know if hes lost vision there.. just and idea.. I'm no expert by any means.
Best of luck to you...
-Gina

 

[ForkedTung]

tried aluminum foil?

As for the cat, most of them do not like walking on or the sound of aluminum foil. If you could either put small piece of that on the lid and or make a "tent" structure with it, it might prevent the cat from jumping up on it,just a thought.

 

[Okeetee_Corn_Snakes]

you might want to try holding something on the side that eye is on and see if he responds that way you'll know if hes lost vision there

-Gina

He does respond to movement and his pupil dilates. He also is acting completely normal, aside from being a little more wary when the cat is around. I hope this is a good sign. My vet will be calling me back after the weekend. Thanks for the good luck wishes!

I reinforced his tank and the cat will never be able to get on top again. Also, because I think her presence bothers him more than ever, I am having the landlord come by and either fix the latch on the spare/snake room door or having him put a lock on it. Whatever is cheaper for him. He is a good landlord I also upped his humidity and heat just to give him an extra immunity boost

 

[Okeetee_Corn_Snakes]

As for the cat, most of them do not like walking on or the sound of aluminum foil. If you could either put small piece of that on the lid and or make a "tent" structure with it, it might prevent the cat from jumping up on it,just a thought.

That sounds like a good idea! I wish I would have done that before...

But I do have some boards on top so if she does get on top she cannot go through the screen or bend the metal enough to unlatch the top.