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Post by ccfcexile on Apr 18, 2007 6:08:44 GMT 1
As you guys know I have 3 snakes, the oldest is a Cali King that is 8 years old but I actually haven't had him / her long. He was an unwanted pet that I took on almost 2 months ago.
I'm now concerned about him / her. He hasn't fed in 2 months although I've been told he eats (defrosts) OK. I noticed he also has a dry scabby nose that seems to be chapping. On the underside his belly scales are showing nicks in them like they have been torn and the scale is peeling off. He also has what only I can describe as diarrhea
This is what I know off the owner... He shed his skin the day before I picked him up and he ate that day (I now don't believe them), and he is in perfect health (bull)!!!
I noticed these things as I got him but put it down to slight neglect on their behalf and a bit of TLC would help. but it is now getting worse. My issue is this, I don't know of a vet in our area (Gloucestershire /Forest of Dean) that can confidently check out a snake. Can anyone help with a diagnosis or pass me on to a vet here!
When I picked him up he hadn't been handled for over a year but I picked him up fine. He has never bitten me at all.
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PeterUK
Junior Member
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Posts: 65
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Post by PeterUK on Apr 18, 2007 10:55:57 GMT 1
It would help if you detailed ALL of the viv's conditions. If you could list everything EXACTLY ie. temps (at both ends) humidity, substrate, hide, what food you have tried and how, where in what room it is kept ETC ETC It may be that it just needs to settle in but a kingsnake to refuse food is like a child not liking ice-cream ..it just dont happen. It may also that the snake is at the end of its life. Most kings live between 8-12 years if they have been kept at the optimum conditions, if they havent .............. :-( This website may help you out. www.applegatereptiles.com/articles/bookfeeding.htm I think it is probabaly the best site out there,although it is written for the milksnake keeper it is still pertinant for all colubrids. Just adjust the food size for your snake. |
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Post by ccfcexile on Apr 18, 2007 19:50:42 GMT 1
The Viv he is in is the same he has been in all his life. It is 2 teir with the top being at a temp between 82f and 84f and the bottom is a dark area that is cooler at between 72f and 74f. His bedding is Aspen (Trex to be precise), he has a water change everyday. He has a shelter that can accomodate his 5' size in the viv also.
Being 8 years old does make him old but I wouldn't have thought his health would have deteriorated like that.
I have a young Pueblan and a 20 month Cornsnake that both live in very similar conditions that are healthy and eat well.
I have visited that site before and frequently look at it, a truly excellent resource. I hope the above info is of use. Oh, he's handled very regularily and extremely tame.
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Post by ccfcexile on Apr 18, 2007 19:56:58 GMT 1
Oh forgot, I've tried fresh killed large mice, defrost large mice, fresh killed and defrost medium mice and defrost small mice. I know that older snakes don't eat as much but 2 months without a feed for a captive snake
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PeterUK
Junior Member
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Posts: 65
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Post by PeterUK on Apr 19, 2007 11:26:22 GMT 1
No eating for 2 months proves that something is wrong somewhere.
I would definately raise the temps to at least 88-90F, If he has another lower level where he can escape the hotter temps it will not be a problem.
I would now try fuzzies as they supposedly have a different smell that adults, I would try them in this order defrost, defrost warmed up to almost hot, washed and dried defrost, fresh killed and as a last resort live. If you do decide to use a live fuzzy, only use one and place it into a small container (so it cant move about) in the evening just before the lights go out and hope. I once had a 7ft bullsnake that went on a hunger strike for several months, her usual food was adult rats but she just couldnt resist a handfull of fresh killed fuzzies. She probabaly thought it was a rodents nest and it her birthday all in one. Either way it worked and she was back to feeding the following week. Somethimes it justs needs that little boost to jet them going.
Quick tip .... have either several fuzzies or a smaller adult mouse already defrosted and waiting. When he starts to swallow the fuzzie , place another ones nose up to the rear of the one that is being swallowed and let him carry on just swallowing like swallowing a string of sausages, do this until he have eaten them all..... This is called 'power feeding'
PS ...use forceps so that he doesnt think you are trying to steal his dinner :-)
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tiger501
Full Member
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Posts: 216
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Post by tiger501 on Apr 20, 2007 12:01:47 GMT 1
He needs a vet hun asap
Dermatitus or scale rot
He could have coccidia too, or a form of
He needs to be wormed after a fecal sample is taken and tested
must be fresh and put in a sterile container and kept chilled til the vet
sees him.
Let us know how you get on
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Post by ccfcexile on Apr 20, 2007 20:30:06 GMT 1
Cheers for all the help, I'm looking for a vet in this area who knows what they are talking about. My local is great with Cats and Dogs but doesn't see Snakes regular!!!
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