Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I have very little knowledge of snakes. We found a baby garter in our living room with a hurt back. We think one of our cats must have brought it in. At first we thought its back was broken, because it looks like it has a little crook in it and it was not moving anything but its head. This was yesterday. Today it can move its whole body, but does not seem to want to move much. We have it in a box filled with dirt and hay, and with a very shallow container with a little water in it, which the snake seems to want to be in all the time, and next to a heater.

I found a vet in the area that treats snakes often and will do rehab and release. The vet's assistant said it may just need antibiotics and steroids. The problem is that if they do not feel the snake can be re-released, they will euthanize him or her- even if the snake can still live ok in captivity. We are willing to care for the snake if the snake can not be released, though we prefer that the snake get better and go back to the wild. So we are very torn about whether to take it to the vet or not. On the one hand, we want it to get any medical care that might help it, like antibiotics or steroids, and to be released if possible. On the other, we do not want it to die if it could continue to live, eat, and get around in captivity.

If anyone has any insights, or any suggestions for treatments, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Michelle

Hello! I find it odd that a vet would rather euthanize an animal rather than see it go to a willing owner. Perhaps it's because this rehab and release idea comes with regulations. If he's a wildlife rehabilitator, it may be the case that he's supposed to euthanize an animal that can't be returned to the wild. If I were you, I'd ask the vet if the situation would be different, if you were to adopt this animal now and bring it in as a pet, rather than a rehab case. You may be asked to pay for medical treatment, but at least you'd get the snake back! Then you could decide whether to keep it or release it on your own.

The little guy seems to have improved a lot under your care. Perhaps he is healing, although it's impossible to say without a vet's analysis. Since it was your cat that injured the snake, I think it's only right that you try and take care of it.

Thanks. The reasoning is that it is a wild garter snake, and state and federal laws prohibit keeping wildlife as pets. I talked to my partner about lying and saying we bought it at a pet store, but it is a baby snake and he thinks that is not believable. I don't know.

The snake seems to be moving more quickly now when stirred. I did internet searches and was able to find the correct dosing information for prednisone (steroid) and Baytril (antibiotic), and I have both in the house and can dilute them the proper amount. The only problem with administering them myself is that it would have to be orally, and the snake is very very small and has a very small head, and because I am worried about handling its head too much given that it might have an injury somewhere in the neck-like area. So I am hesitant to do it.

Hm, what state are you in? Most states have restrictions on what type of wild animals you can keep, but will allow some. Pet stores do sell baby snakes, and you can also say that you received this animal as a gift from a friend, whose captive-bred snake had babies, or something along those lines.

In the end, what you do is your decision. I however wouldn't have the confidence to administer medication to reptiles, let alone ones that are injured. Handling it at a time like this might be a bad idea. Also, dosing is very tricky, because reptiles have different metabolisms than mammals. The vet is the safest option.

I'm in NJ. Maybe we should go to a different vet and just lie about the source. I feel worried about doing that though.

Thanks for your advice. I am too worried to administer the meds as well. I got the dosing from online vet sources, but I am too worried about handling its head, due to possible spinal injuries, to mess around with it myself.

NJ has extensive laws governing reptiles and the possesion of most species requires a permit, however I believe that in NJ all species of Garter snakes may be legally kept without a permit. This is true unless legislation was recently changed.
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Randy Hallman

I guess the most important thing is that you have the welfare of the animal as your first priority. Whatever you choose to do, I wish you luck!

THe tech was guessing and doesn't know what the actual injury is. There are also tonnes of different antibiotics, and steriods and the wrong ones, could again, do more harm then good. Furthermore, some med's that might be perfect for your snake may need to wait until proper fluid therapy has been done as without, they'll fry the kidneys.

All reasons why if any treatment should be done, it should be done under veterinary guidance.

Ian

You are not in violation of any federal laws and very few states prohibit keeping native species of Garter Snakes. Many states DO have laws that prohibit releasing native species back into the wild once they have spent any time in captivity. It could be that the vet realizes very few people would spend any money on a baby Garter Snake and he is understandably not interested in paying for the time and treatment himself. Whatever happens, do not plan on returning the animal to the wild.

What state are you in? What area of that State?
Has the snake fed on anything yet?
Are you sure it is a Garter Snake?
Are there any open wounds?
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Randy Hallman

HI,

We are pretty sure it is a garter, maybe a ribbon snake, if they occur in Northern New Jersey. It is not eaten, but we did not know what to feed it (it is very young, about 9" long), and someone else said they could go a while without food. We will probably take the vet tomorrow as it does not seem to be getting better on its own.

thanks,