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BigDunc
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
 Posted - 18/04/2011 : 21:55:16
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The wee guy has been poorly after retaining eye caps. Moss Box, damp pillow case, eye drops, and finally an op at the vet still didn't help him. One eye got quite inflamed with our attempts to remove them. Apart from the eyes luckily he was in great condition.
He hadn't eaten since January. He couldn't see to eat. Vet recommended sitting it out until he shed. He normally sheds every 6-8 weeks but this one seemed to take ages. Finally shed on Thursday, it wasn't pretty but at least he shed. He fairly snatched the Rat out of my hand last night, hardly had time to get it in front of his nose.
Not convinced he's seeing properly in his left eye but he's going back to the Vet to have them checked now that he's shed. At least he's eaten, it's a great relief. |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 18/04/2011 : 22:15:45
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| Good stuff, feeding is always a good sign in Royals. |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 18/04/2011 : 22:16:19
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Well, congrats Bigdunc and Syphon - sounds like you've been through a lot. Eyecaps can sometimes be a problem, I understand, but they usually respond to gentle home treatment (have you seen the sticky on the health section about alternative eyecap removal?)
It's interesting when you say: 'he couldn't see to eat.'
I have a small corn who hatched with only one eye. Inevitably she got named Cyclops lol. I only bought her because I was afraid no-one else would take her - and in the shop they said she was a poor eater 'because she couldn't see to eat.' I was a bit sceptical. Don't snakes track their prey by smell - isn't there that island in the David Attenborough series where the snakes are attacked and blinded by birds, but still find and eat the chicks?
Well, Cy is still a chancy eater, and like no snake I've ever met. Her one-eyed vision still causes her confusion when being handled, when roaming - and she likes to eat in good light - even seen her tilt her head to focus her good eye on the prey ...
I think from my experience of Cy that snakes do rely on eyesight more than we think - and very glad to hear that Syphon is on the mend and now eating well. |
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Lotabob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
5008 Posts |
Posted - 18/04/2011 : 23:13:53
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| The final strike is done visually but tracking/stalking prey is done by scent and with posh python heat sense. |
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Strawb
Yearling
Germany
120 Posts |
Posted - 19/04/2011 : 17:32:28
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Tia has a scratch on the top half of her right eye cap due to negligent previous owners. I'm not sure how much this impairs her vision, but as royals rely on heat for the final strike at their prey, this handicap has not prevented her feeding.
If you heat up the prey well enough (a hair dryer worked for me) then he should take it without problems. |
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sandi
Sub Adult
787 Posts |
Posted - 19/04/2011 : 19:21:44
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| Great news, good to hear! Good luck with future feeds too. |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Florence
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor - Boris
1.1.0 Alaunts - Willow & Brochan |
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Syphon finally ate
