Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my male WC garter for nearly 3 years. I haven't had any health problems, at least until last night. He started acting weird, crawling around on his side and back like he was unable to right himself. Also, sometimes he will crawl around for a few mins like he's hyper, and then just lay there on his side like he's dead. Does anybody know what is going on with him? I have had snakes for 5 years and haven't had any health problems other than a couple mite problems with a BP. I am really worried about him, I don't think this behavior is the snake, I think he is sick. Pleeeaase help me out here!

I have had this happen to a couple of gartersnakes also.I do not know what caused it ,but it was fatal.Sorry for this news.Maybe you can figure it out and save yours.

First of all, about how old were the your garters when that happened, because I think mine is fairly old. Perhaps this is a sign of old age like in dogs. Also, how long after the signs did the snakes die? I would really like to know how long he has. I will call the vets office and see if they know what it is. Thanks.

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He is in a 10 gal aquarium. There is no heat, but he is by a north facing window for a little extra heat during the day. The house stays in the mid 70's so no lights are needed. He has been eating crappie minnows and earthworms since I've had him. I have fed him at least 5 minnows or night crawlers a week. He ate 2 days ago, but he only ate 3 of the 5 minnows I put in his water bowl. I regularly clean out the cage. I have no clue how this happened. The vet said it didn't sound too good but I would have to bring him in for them to find out what is wrong.

I'm sorry to say it, but this doesn't sound good, and I doubt there's much you can do. The sudden onset of these highly abnormal symptoms indicates a seroius medical problem, possibly the equivalent of a stroke or heart attack. I've never heard of that being documented in a snake, but I don't know why it couldn't happen.

There's one possibility that it's something he'll recover from: Did he eat just before this happened? He might have eaten something that temporarily cut off his breathing or circulation. If he can digest it or regurgitate it, that might be able to open things up again. Longshot, but possible.

Based on the symptoms you describe, I'd get him to a herp vet asap. I wish I could be more optimistic, but I'm afraid I already know what the vet will say. Best wishes and good luck; please keep us updated.

michaelb

I know keeping any animal in a glass aquarium near a window is bad news.Like burning ants with a magnifying glass.A second possibility could be the diet.If you are feeding a lot more fish than worms over a long period of time then there could be a vitamin b problem.That would cure itself if you changed the diet.If that snake did get too much exsposure to the sun it probally won't recover.Most vets don't know anymore about snakes than you or I.Research vets before you waste your money.
Tom

It sounds like stargazing syndrome, a neurological disorder caused by a lack of vitamins (A, B & E) The thiaminase in the long term fish diet may make him deficient in vitamin B1.

Once it progresses that far, it is difficult to reverse. Put vitamins & calcium in his water and on his food. Keep the temp 78-80 degrees.

Good Luck

BigSurf

I would guess thiamanese.
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Justin

You don't need to panic, but act quickly! Get the waterbowl out of the cage and give him a very small (shallow) bowl. If you don't do that, your snake can be drowned in it. Go to your local Pharmacie and ask for one tablet of 25 mg thiamineHCl (vitamine B1). Give this tablet (oral) to your snake, with a tweezers or something. Within ± 1 hour all the symtoms disappear.

In the future you have to give him regulary vitamine B1!

Ronald (Holland)

OK thank you so much! I just read this message at 11 at night. All the pharmacies are closed. How long do I have for him to live if he has been like this for 3 days? I will give him more worms in the future.