When you should take your snake to the vet

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When you should take your snake to the vet

I am writing this post as a quick reference for everyone to look at if they are unsure about taking their snake to the vet.

1. If you snake is making wheezing sounds and you check the oral cavity and see excess fluid buildup or bubbles. This is an emergency, raise your temps to the upper end of your pet’s specified temperature ranges and make an appointment to go to your vet as soon as possible.

2. If your snake regurgitates check your husbandry, make sure it is on point, if not correct it and wait a week to allow the snake to build up the proper amount of stomach acid and offer food again. While waiting the week I would take a stool sample to the vet to make sure your pet is not suffering from parasites. If your snake regurgitates again go to the vet.

3. If your snake has diarrhea bring your snake and a stool sample to the vet. Snakes are not mammals and it is not normal for them to have the occasional bout of diarrhea. Parasites are the most likely cause for this and must be treated. The longer your snake has parasites the more nutrients are being robbed from their system leaving them weak and vulnerable to other illnesses.

4. If your snake gets burned (heat spike from thermometer failure, etc.) you need to go to the vet ASAP. This is going to take a long time to heal and will most likely leave scars depending on the severity of the burn.

5. If your snake gets bitten by its prey and it’s a small bite with no missing flesh, treat the wound by cleaning it with a mild soapy solution, rinse thoroughly, dry and apply a thin layer of Neosporin (without pain killer) every twelve hours until the next shed. Superficial wounds will heal in a couple of sheds. If the wound is more severe go to the vet it may require more thorough cleaning and debridement as well as antibiotics.

6. Egg binding is an issue every breeder needs to be aware of, If your female has laid most of her eggs and has appeared to stop laying i.e.; coiled around them in the case of a BP, and there are still more palpable eggs retained wait an hour and if there is no further development or the female appears to be straining go to the vet ASAP. The vet can give a hormone that may help. In worst case scenario they may have to do surgery to remove the eggs.

7. Neurological symptoms such as spinning, twisting, inverting, head tilting, shaking, etc. are all emergencies ( unless you have a snake with morph associated neurological disorders like spiders and womas).

8. If your snake appears thin and eats well, bring a stool sample to your vet and have it checked for parasites. Vitamin injections and antiparisitic medications should help get your snake healthy again.

9. Stuck shed is not an emergency however it may require medical intervention if it’s a full body stuck shed or is stuck on the eye caps. The first thing to do is soak your pet in Luke warm water for about ½ hour, (you may need to change the water because your snake will most likely poop) take a dry wash cloth and let your snake slither though it as you are holding it tight in your hand. Try this a couple of times, if you still can’t get most of it off bring the snake to the vet other tricks that are not safe for the average Joe to do may have to be tried. Retained eye caps that are not easily removed by the above methods should be removed by a vet or very experienced herpers; it is a lot easier to pluck an eyeball out than you think.

10. A prolapsed hemipene is occasionally an issue in males; this happens when the male is not able to retract his hemipenes after mating or exposure. There are many different reasons for this to happen. Most prolapsed hemipenes can be reduced by placing your snake on a paper towel soaked in a 1:10 sugar water solution (leave this to the experienced herpers or your vet) if you are at all unsure keep the hemipene moist and bring your snake to the vet ASAP.

11. A prolapsed rectum should be taken to the vet as an emergency and if there is a fecal sample available bring it with you. This is most likely caused by a severe parasite infestation.

This is basic advice and first aid tips only. Always consult with your veterinarian for treatment.

Edward Balint LVT, MS

This is based off a pamphlet I made up for work. I thought it would be useful here as well, let me know if there is anything that should be addressed that I forgot or if you have other first aid tips.