By: Animal Care Associates

*IF YOU FEEL THAT YOUR PET IS ILL
PLEASE TAKE YOUR SNAKE TO A VETERINARIAN*

The list below are just a few of the problems that you may encounter with a pet snake!

• Burns
• Rat/Mouse Bites; these bites commonly form abscesses.
• Prolapses (When an organ of the snake inverts itself and protrudes outside of the body).
• Mouth Rot- Mouth rot is a bacterial infection of the mouth. It may begin with increased salivation. Often saliva bubbles coming from the mouth are seen. The mouth lining becomes increasingly inflamed and pus begins to accumulate within the mouth. As the disease progresses, the underlying bone becomes infected.
• Failure to Voluntarily Feed - Anorexia (lack of appetite) and failure to voluntarily feed are common problems among captive snakes. Despite the fact that snakes are uniquely suited to survive prolonged periods without feeding, a snake owner should make every attempt to discover the reason(s) for the snake's failure to feed.
• Regurgitation - Regurgitation of food may result from handling a snake too soon after it is fed. Regurgitated food is undigested and relatively odorless. Another common cause of regurgitation is inadequate and incomplete digestion caused by relatively cool environmental temperatures. In these cases, the regurgitated food appears digested and is malodorous. Other causes of regurgitation include stress in easily excitable species, parasitism, intestinal obstruction and serious internal disease. An experienced veterinarian should be consulted if the cause is not readily determined.
• Constipation - Constipation is a common problem among captive snakes. Causes include suboptimal environmental temperatures, illness, dehydration, injuries, parasites and cloacoliths (stones). Constipated snakes should be allowed to soak in very warm (not hot) water for 20-30 minutes daily for 1-2 days. This often results on defecation and/or urination. If soaking is not successful, veterinary help should be sought at once.