Re: ailing everglades

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Posted by Walt on July 27, 1999 at 08:46:16:

In Reply to: ailing everglades posted by Greg on July 27, 1999 at 00:29:45:

: I have an adult ev. that looks as if he has eaten one or two lrg mice, but he hasn't eaten in over a month. 3 weeks ago I took him to a vet and we did a 3 injection cycle of antibiotics thinking it may be a respertory infection. I've been forcing him to eat a high pro and fat mush with electolytes so he doen't get dehydrated. But he hasn't gotten better as far as midsection. What do ya think out there? Blockage? Thanks, Greg

Was there wheezing, was his mouth agape, or mucus, in other words any outward symptoms of a respiratory condition? Did the snake produce "normal looking" waste prior to shutting off? Only snake people get excited over normal looking waste. Was regurgitation a problem before his shut off? Stephen is right on in his list of possible explanations for what sounds like a mid-body swelling. The worst of all possible problems would be the protozoan, cryptosporidia, which can account for stomach lining irritation, resulting in such swelling. This would generally be a later symptom of the disease usually preceded by chronic regurgitation, bloody and/or mucousy waste, and often vague signs like weakness or listlessness.
These symptoms can also signify other treatable conditions, therefore a failure to respond to conventional treatments would indicate the need for further testing. Noone can answer your question definatively Greg without seeing the snake and testing. You might want to get a stool sample tested for other less insidious protozoa, swabs can also be done. Hopefully Greg your snake has none of the aforementioned symptoms, rather something as benign as a simple abscess. In the meantime, if your snake has any of the symptoms above, isolate it, and wash your hands well(gloves) before touching any other animals you might own. Walt

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: : : I have an adult ev. that looks as if he has eaten one or two lrg mice, but he hasn't eaten in over a month. 3 weeks ago I took him to a vet and we did a 3 injection cycle of antibiotics thinking it may be a respertory infection. I've been forcing him to eat a high pro and fat mush with electolytes so he doen't get dehydrated. But he hasn't gotten better as far as midsection. What do ya think out there? Blockage? Thanks, Greg : Was there wheezing, was his mouth agape, or mucus, in other words any outward symptoms of a respiratory condition? Did the snake produce "normal looking" waste prior to shutting off? Only snake people get excited over normal looking waste. Was regurgitation a problem before his shut off? Stephen is right on in his list of possible explanations for what sounds like a mid-body swelling. The worst of all possible problems would be the protozoan, cryptosporidia, which can account for stomach lining irritation, resulting in such swelling. This would generally be a later symptom of the disease usually preceded by chronic regurgitation, bloody and/or mucousy waste, and often vague signs like weakness or listlessness. : These symptoms can also signify other treatable conditions, therefore a failure to respond to conventional treatments would indicate the need for further testing. Noone can answer your question definatively Greg without seeing the snake and testing. You might want to get a stool sample tested for other less insidious protozoa, swabs can also be done. Hopefully Greg your snake has none of the aforementioned symptoms, rather something as benign as a simple abscess. In the meantime, if your snake has any of the symptoms above, isolate it, and wash your hands well(gloves) before touching any other animals you might own. Walt

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