Eye Infections

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Captive snakes occasionally suffer eye infections.  Infections

may be superficial or more extensive, involving the entire eye.

Superficial infections may result from mild injury to the eye.

Superficial infections may also become established below a

retained eye cap.  Infections of this type must be recognized

promptly and treated aggressively to prevent involvement of the

entire eye.  The retained eye cap must first be removed if at all

possible.  Infections involving the entire eye may result from

trauma to the eye or from septicemia (body-wide infection).  In

the latter case, the bacteria enter the eye by way of the

bloodstream.



Veterinary help is essential with these cases.  Treatment

involves use of topical and/or injectable antibiotics.

Sometimes, drugs that help to exercise the iris (the colored

portion inside the eye) are used to help prevent adhesions inside

the eye.