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Vet update...

A

Asher9

New member
So I just went to the vet with my snake, and they said he had cateracts and he is blind in that eye. They said he isn't in pain though. The vet said he is probably going to get cateracts in the other eye too. He said he is perfectly healthy besides that. He said this is extremely rare, and there is nothing I could have done, and it's in his genetics. (He is a PetSmart snake, I rescued him from a friend about two months ago) Does anyone have experience with this?? Will I still be able to hold him if he does become blind, will he be too defensive?
 
How old is he? It really depends on the personality of the snake. If he is young, he will probably adjust to using his other senses over rime with gentle repetitive handling. If he is a calmer snake he will probably adjust ok. You will be able to tell if handling is too distressing.
 
He is five. He is a pretty calm snake. I am just worried about feeding, if he becomes blind in both eyes.
 
snakes use their sense of Smell and Taste more than vision. He will recognize your Smell and know who you are, and he will smell the mouse when it's time to eat.

There is actually a video (on YouTube I think) of a guy that took a mouse and drug is across his floor, rubbed it on some furniture, and then hid it behind a chair and then turned his King Snake loose on the floor. The mouse was nowhere in sight but the snake went right to it because he could smell it and follow the trail.

I'd be willing to bet your snake will be just fine.
 
I've had a few rescues with cataracts in one eye. No issues other than missing during a strike at the prey. I just made sure I presented the mouse on his/her good vision side.
Even though snakes use their sense of smell (which is basically tasting the air) heavily it is a misconception that a snake has poor eye sight. In fact their eye sight is pretty good. He will make adjustments for his impairment.
 
We see snakes every once in a while that are hatched without eyes. They do just fine. I'm sure yours will be a happy and healthy pet, and his diminishing vision won't be a problem for either of you.
 
Thank you everyone! He has never had a problem eating so I don't know why I thought he would just start having one.
 
Does anyone know if cataracts come with any other health concerns besides the obvious sight problem? Do I need to watch out for anything?
 
Well, Since he can't see you, you might give his viv gentle warning taps when you are going to handle him.. If he gets startled by a 'sudden touch' he might bite out of surprise. You could be reaching for him slowly, but he may not know you are there until you actually touch him-
The tapping will alert him that you are there and to expect to be picked up.

I don't know how much snakes can learn, but you might try a different tap pattern for different activities.. look up morse code and pick a letter for each activity.

I did not see pictures of your snake.. Is he an amel by any chance? or was he kept under heat lights?
 
Well, I have only had him for two months and don't know much about his history. I only have an iPad and it won't let me post pictures unfortunately. It crashes.
 
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