Snake (yes, that's his name!), an albino carpet python, came to Lort Smith at two years old. He had a unilateral bullous spectaculopathy: a build-up of clear fluid between the cornea and the spectacle seal, which causes mild swelling, inflammation and a bulging of the eye area.
Thankfully, Lort Smith has Dr Tristan, an Unusual Pets and Wildlife Veterinarian, on staff, who was able to help poor Snake.
At first, Dr Tristan anaesthetised Snake and flushed out the cavity. But three weeks after surgery, the fluid had built up again, showing that Snake had a fistula, an abnormal connection between his eye and mouth. Essentially, Snake's tear duct was blocked.
I absolutely adore Snake. He is like a shining jewel in my every day.
Sharon, Snake's carer
A new tear duct
Dr Tristan decided the next step was to perform a conjunctivoralostomy. Simply put, a new tear duct was created by passing a hypodermic needle through the corner of Snake's eye, emerging into his mouth. A stent was then threaded through this passage and stitched to Snake's scales to hold it in place.
Six weeks after surgery, Snake came back to have the stent removed and his medication stopped. We're delighted to report that Snake made a full recovery, and his eye looks perfectly normal.
"I absolutely adore Snake. He is like a shining jewel in my every day," says Sharon, his carer.
Snake has a distinctive and endearing personality. He lives in a palatial enclosure, enjoys time out each evening for some exercise, and loves nothing more than a bit of TV and couch time with his wonderfully committed carers.
Dr Tristan went on to present this case at the Australian Veterinary Association Annual Unusual Pets and Avian Veterinarians Conference, and won the "Toady Award" for Most Entertaining and Informative Presentation.