Death of Popes Tree Vipers..Question?

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Posted by Steve S. on February 03, 2001 at 19:44:08:

I have lost a second Popes Tree Viper in the past 6 months. The animals seemed fine, were feeding and even breeding. Over a period of 24-48 hours, each animal became restless, followed by a short period of near motionlessness just prior to death. Both animals gasp repeatedly upto 1 hour leading to death.
After death each animal was opened and a strange white speckling was noted in the lungs!! Yes the lungs! One of the animals had a very significant amount. The white specks were approx. 1-2 mm, slightly jagged edged, and soft in mass. They lined the entire lung and partial trachea. I checked everything under the scope and it doesn't seem to be parasitic. Could it be something bacterial ? I'm not a vet, so I'm limited with my knowledge, but this stuff looks a lot like " Gout " found in the livers of Turtles I've seen. I've been working with Popes for over 12 years now, all of which have been house in the same manner. All feed on adult mice.
Please help if you've got any ideas. All are captive born adults.
Best regards
Steve S.

Follow Ups:

Re: Death of Popes Tree Vipers..Question? John Hewlett 02/03/01 (6)
- Re: Death of Popes Tree Vipers..Question? Steve S. 02/03/01 (5)
  - Re: Death of Popes Tree Vipers..Question? John Hewlett 02/03/01 (4)
    - Re: Death of Popes Tree Vipers..Question? Steve S 02/04/01 (3)
      - Well..... John Hewlett 02/04/01 (2)
        
        Re: Well..... Steve S. 02/04/01 (1)
        
        Re: Well..... John Hewlett 02/06/01 (0)

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: I have lost a second Popes Tree Viper in the past 6 months. The animals seemed fine, were feeding and even breeding. Over a period of 24-48 hours, each animal became restless, followed by a short period of near motionlessness just prior to death. Both animals gasp repeatedly upto 1 hour leading to death. : After death each animal was opened and a strange white speckling was noted in the lungs!! Yes the lungs! One of the animals had a very significant amount. The white specks were approx. 1-2 mm, slightly jagged edged, and soft in mass. They lined the entire lung and partial trachea. I checked everything under the scope and it doesn't seem to be parasitic. Could it be something bacterial ? I'm not a vet, so I'm limited with my knowledge, but this stuff looks a lot like " Gout " found in the livers of Turtles I've seen. I've been working with Popes for over 12 years now, all of which have been house in the same manner. All feed on adult mice. : Please help if you've got any ideas. All are captive born adults. : Best regards : Steve S.

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