Eastern Garter Snake

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Probably has all sorts of parasites, so if you want to keep it a vet visit would be a good idea..

that sounds a little extreme, that snake looks incredibly healthy to have "all sorts" of parasites, It's probably carrying a few worms or something, but any garters I have collected from the wild get a bit of metronidazol (sp?) in their first feeding or two. Treat it with a quarantine, and possibly a wormer as you would any new snake and you should have no issues! It's a gorgeous, healthy, flawless specimen and that right there is what I refer to as the classic t. s. sirtalis! I have many a garter snake that originated from the wild and they do exceptionally well as captives and after a while, you won't believe the snake was ever wild!

[mooingtricycle]

Probably has all sorts of parasites, so if you want to keep it a vet visit would be a good idea..

nah im going to put it right in with all my other captive bred stuff

[mooingtricycle]

that sounds a little extreme, that snake looks incredibly healthy to have "all sorts" of parasites, It's probably carrying a few worms or something, but any garters I have collected from the wild get a bit of metronidazol (sp?) in their first feeding or two. Treat it with a quarantine, and possibly a wormer as you would any new snake and you should have no issues! It's a gorgeous, healthy, flawless specimen and that right there is what I refer to as the classic t. s. sirtalis! I have many a garter snake that originated from the wild and they do exceptionally well as captives and after a while, you won't believe the snake was ever wild!

Thanks!

Yep! She already took her first pinkie for me too. ( these guys always do really well for me when i take them in) I dont think ive ever had a non feeding garter.

Worming critters is easy when you have a proper vet to help you out with dosages.

She had no ticks on her too, which, to me.. for being a wild critter, was pretty darn surprising. usually you will find them under scales along the body/neck and in the chin scales. Still i treat her just like all i do my new quarantine stuff. My Sunbeam had some pretty darn interesting parasites when he came in... Bleh! All better now though.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I have yet to find any ticks on a wild garter. And I find easily 100-200 each year! I only CLOSELY inspect for them on a snake I consider collecting, but I casially examine any snake I find for injuries or external parasites they may need a helping hand with. Good to hear she's checking out so well though, Easterns often will take unscented pinkies even if they are fresh WC.

[tigerretic76]

remember that metronidazole is for flagellated parasitism or for gram positive and negative grown bacteria. one should use a true anti-parasite medication as a one - two time dose. ie panacur, pyrantel. some snakes are natural carriers of certain types of internal parasites as well as intestinal lining bacteria. its usually an issue if the immune system is suppressed for some other illness and any one of these parastes or bacteria begin to overgrowth due to a supressed immune system. generally, unless you see signs or symptoms of an overgrowth, you shouldnt have to treat. signs such as, diarrhea, regurge, and weight loss

[tigerretic76]

i came back to this thread, because i thought i left off something, and of course i did. metronidazole is for certain gram positive and gram negative bacteria, not all, as i indicated.

[Dave763]

Found this little girl on a horse farm today under a pasture gate. She was just chilling in the dirt, and didnt try very hard to get away, so i caught her and let her calm down in my hands. Didnt even offer to bite, just musked that typical garter musk but she really calmed down quick.

Ive been wanting a garter for myself for a few summers now, so this girls going to be a keeper. She really is pretty docile... posing for the camera.

Dam, those are some really nice photographs.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

remember that metronidazole is for flagellated parasitism or for gram positive and negative grown bacteria. one should use a true anti-parasite medication as a one - two time dose. ie panacur, pyrantel. some snakes are natural carriers of certain types of internal parasites as well as intestinal lining bacteria. its usually an issue if the immune system is suppressed for some other illness and any one of these parastes or bacteria begin to overgrowth due to a supressed immune system. generally, unless you see signs or symptoms of an overgrowth, you shouldnt have to treat. signs such as, diarrhea, regurge, and weight loss

ahh, PANACUR.... that's the one I forgot to mention!!!

anyways, the stuff I use is a very mild solution, it actually diluted enough for fish to eat. since there is not necessarily anything wrong with the snakes I feel a mild precautionary treatment, if any at all, should suffice. If anything appears to be wrong with the snake... it goes to the vet.

[kc261]

I missed this thread the first time around. That is a nice snake, and GORGEOUS photography. I especially love the 2nd tongue shot, where it is curled down and you can see the fork.

[LadyOhh]

Love those pics, A!! Congrats on such a pretty pick up!