Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I took in 2 ratsnakes, one black and one white. The white one was the crusty one I wrote about before. It died a couple days ago despite soaking it in iodine (vet prescribed for a different snake), and applying ointments to it. Now the black one is starting to shed individual scales, it shed not that long ago. I am hoping what the white one died of isn't contagious, starting to worry. When the white one went, the brown crust had taken over most of it's body and his mouth was always gaping open, couldn't shed, and got bone thin. Maybe a respiratory disease? Fungus? I didn't see any forums for health issues of snakes or I would of wrote there. Thanks all.

You must review the keeping conditions you're using. Also at this point you'll probably have to get a vet involved if you hope to save that snake. Make sure the cage is not damp but make sure the snake has access to water. Keep the temperatures so that a warm spot is about 80-85 and the cooler area is about 75. Don't even try to feed it until the skin and lung problems subside. A vet will most probably use an injection of some antibiotic.

Good luck
John

>>I took in 2 ratsnakes, one black and one white. The white one was the crusty one I wrote about before. It died a couple days ago despite soaking it in iodine (vet prescribed for a different snake), and applying ointments to it. Now the black one is starting to shed individual scales, it shed not that long ago. I am hoping what the white one died of isn't contagious, starting to worry. When the white one went, the brown crust had taken over most of it's body and his mouth was always gaping open, couldn't shed, and got bone thin. Maybe a respiratory disease? Fungus? I didn't see any forums for health issues of snakes or I would of wrote there. Thanks all.