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Cloudy eye (not from shedding)

S

Scruz91

New member
Hey everybody. I've literally been all over the internet trying to figure this out but so far i can't find an answer. I bought my first corn snake from a local pet store about a month ago. (I was going to order one offline since buying from large stores seem to be frowned upon since alot of these stores don't really care for the snakes as they should, but i figured i might as well save one from hell.) Anyways, when i got him, he seemed to have one cloudy eye. I figured he was about to shed, but it wasn't until a week ago did the other eye get cloudy and finally shed. But that same eye is still cloudy. I checked the shed and both eye caps were intact. What could this be from? I have a feeling he may be blind in one eye, he doesn't usually react when my hand reaches for that side. I've never heard of a snake going blind so I wanted to check and ask experienced snake owners before i make an unnecessary vet visit.

(But apart from this one thing, he's in great health and its been a great experience owning a snake)
 
Any chance of a pic? There could be a couple of causes that I know of.

My eldest has cataracts (or snakey equivalent of them, at least) and these manifest as quite diffuse grey across both pupils. They're not entirely or uniformly grey, but I don't believe he can see too much these days. Apart from that he behaves normally and eats well for a guy his age (22). As you've observed with yours, both eye caps come away cleanly with each shed and the grey area is unaffected.

Another cause could be a tumour. This will need a vet visit to diagnose/confirm but it could be trouble. I doubt we'll be able to tell you even with a photo.

Given that you've had a clean shed, I'd be heading to the vet to get it checked, just in case.

If he turns out to be blind on that side and the cause is either benign or treatable, then he should still have a long and happy life. You'll just need to remember that he can't see you approaching from that side when you go to pick him up.
 
Well i just fed him a few hours ago so i wont be able to get a pic for a day or so, but i'll try and get one as best i can. (the only cam i have is on my phone, but ill give it a shot.)

Its like this one grey dot over the pupil. It hasn't changed at all since i bought him.
And yeah, i was thinking about taking him to the vet just for a general check up just in case. (generally, how much is a vet visit for a snake? I have about 150 put away just for him in case. Will i need more?)
 
It totally depends on the area you live in. Call around for a herp vet in your area and compare prices. I think $150 will definitely cover an initial visit.
 
Well i live in downtown Houston, Texas and thanks to a google search i have several choices. I'll just call around tomorrow and compare prices.
(yeah, when i first bought him i made it a point to always keep some money in his "bank account. lol.)
 
So i took Gibbs in to get a quick physical exam. The doctor believes that it may just be a birth defect and that if he isnt COMPLETELY blind in that eye, he will be before he matures. :(
He also told me to bring him back if there are any abnormalities in his behavior or eating patterns. Pray that doesnt happen. :((((
 
If mine is anything to go by (both eyes affected), yours has every chance of leading a normal and healthy life. They're very resiliant and given an owner as caring as you, he has the best start he could hope for. Maybe fate brought him to you - he could've ended up in a bad home with an owner who couldn't be bothered. Instead, he has you. A win for the little guy in my view!
 
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