Blind Boa

[Mrs.Z]

Our 'Zoo Keepers' herp shop had a clutch of RTB's come in, one of which was born w/ no eyes.

The owner knows us quite well, and and how we take care of our boas (much to the thanks of Clay and this forum btw), and since they could not sell it they gave it us to observe, and see how she does. He wasn't in when we picked her up, so the other gentlemen (the arachnid guys) were not aware of her health other than she was blind so they had no sugguestions.

She's a bit dehy., but otherwise very normal in actions. I did notice a lack of tongue movement and at first thought her mouth may be fused shut. I tried to pull it but didn't want to hurt her. I've continued to watch, and have now witnessed her drinking water, and her mouth open about 3/4's on left and not quite as much on the right. Should I try to feed her a pinky as I would another boa or do I need to try anything since she can't see?

Could breeding temps and housing result in no eyes? Or is it more of a genetic thing?

We are not expecting much other than a learning experience for the boys, but since she drank water my hopes are a tad higher.

Mrs.Z

[J.J.]

Re: Blind Boa

Mrs.Z

That breaks my heart. :-[

I would take the little guy to the vet, and have him checked out. That would give you the best idea of wether or not its gonna live. I have high hopes for the little guy, after seeing that gaboon viper with no eyes that looked like he was doing pretty good, looked healthy.

Our prayers are with the little guy.(we don't give out many)

If you need help with the vet bill, we would be glad to help out some.

Good luck

[Red]

Re: Blind Boa

I hate that things have to suffer... well maybe the snake will recover from what ever is the problem with it's mouth... I hope you have a good reptile vet. I can't find one around here...
How long is that gaboon viper.. it look's like it does not care... but I guess you can't tell with out eye brow's.. lol.. just kidin' I hope the lil' guy does better....
Eric aka...red

[Mrs.Z]

Re: Blind Boa

Thanks,
She made it through the night which was more than we hoped for. We're gonna try to feed a pinky in a bit. She sure likes to be held, and is a curious little thing.......
We couldn't get an appoint. w/ vet til Mon. Maybe that's God's way of taking the wait n see approach. He is a GREAT retile vet, He helped me w/ our Little Dude and even had patience when I was just being paranoid.
Red..If you know of any breeders or have even one relativly decent herp/pet shop in the area, they may be able to recommend a vet if the list on the forum did not help in locating one.

Thanks again,

Mrs.Z

[Red]

Re: Blind Boa

I do know a couple breeders and some other people that are real in to there reptiles...  The truth is that I have to drive 200-300 miles to get to a good vet.  All of the vet's in my area say they will not work on a boa or any pythons...  they say they get to big and they are to unpridictable...  so I figure that I do not want to take my snakes to any vet that is that stupid...  and week...  I mean dog's are lot more unpridictable...  they will just bite you for no reason where if a snake is a biter it is a biter if it is not then there are not.  For the most part..
Thanx for the addvise though
Eric... aka...Red
P.s.  What I do is I found a vet that will basicaly do what I say...  and give me what I ask for...  and then I just come to you guy's and figure out what is wrong with them...(I have only had one problem yet)

[Doug]

Re: Blind Boa

Hi Mrs z,  
 I 'll bet its just a simple birth defect, and that boa's lucky to have you  lets hope thats the only problem it has some birth defects can involve the GI tract and kidney's, be sure to keep it away from your older boa's completly. I ve heard of one sick animal wiping out collections.  It will proably be a great boa as pet , I would guess to feed you would need some long forceps and a thawed warm rat pinky  I would place it about an inch from its nose and lets see if he can smell it.. My guess he'll do fine.     good luck  isolate that new boa ,,ask everyone to wash up after handling it before going to your older boa's.
     doug b26.gif

[Mrs.Z]

Re: Blind Boa

Thanks Doug

We definately have her separated. She does like to be held. Tried to feed this morning to no avail....didn't have an actual pinky, only super small fuzzy. She had urates in enclosure--they looked norm. She also soaked in her little dish. I've been changing it a lot since she's been doing both.

Here is a photo of her... colors are all pretty true with the exception of the sides, on the whole lower half and belly she has a lot of pink!!

Oh one more question--do snakes have a belly button place from the egg sack? There seems to be a sopt about 2" 's above c.vent, that has not quite fused together. It's about 1/4 " long.

Here's the pic:

[J.J.]

Re: Blind Boa

She's so perdy b31.gif

yes they do have a belly butten. Lets see a pic of the belly butten.

[Doug]

Re: Blind Boa

Hi Mrs Z,
The Boas give birth alive, Ive never seen a newborn to date but the picture's Ive seen show a Sac so that confirms the button must be there. She is a sweet looking baby keep her warm... Good Luck... I tried to rescue a very Ill Braz Rainbow Boa, shoud'nt have done it almost broke my heart. It ate a couple times but couldn't digest something was wrong with the GI tract. I think the pet store had it in a cage in ac without any heat for a couple weeks and that put it into Iam guessing organ failure.
Everyone I own now eat like pigs and are twic as nice..
HEhehe s9.gif DOug

[Mrs.Z]

Re: Blind Boa

Here are the belly button?? shots

[Mrs.Z]

Re: Blind Boa

Here is another...not sure which is better

[Mrs.Z]

Re: Blind Boa

I know all about the broken heart thing...That's how we found Clay....but we've been looking at it this way, at least she'll get to know good love if she doesn't make it. I still don't see much og the tounge unless she's drinking, and I don't have the heart to pull hard on her mouth so for that I'll wait for the vet.

[J.J.]

Re: Blind Boa

yup thats the belly butten alright. The vet may have to soocher that closed, but I'm not sure. I've had a puppy that was born with a hole in its abdamen that looked similar to that, and they had to trim the 2 flaps of skin and sew it together. But I've never handled a snake with that problem. Keep her on steril substrate. is all I know to do untill the vet visit.

[Mrs.Z]

Re: Blind Boa

Is news paper OK?

[J.J.]

Re: Blind Boa

I would use inkless paper towels or any paper towel for that matter. Just shake it off to get as much lint off as posible, no telling whos hands have been on the news paper.