Reptile & Amphibian Forums

All, I know this has been covered before and I myself am no stranger to sick snakes through the years.

But I wanted to ask. Has any changes been made in this field in recent years? Can you use certain meds to calm the stomach down?

When a snake regurges, normally you just wait a week, try feeding again, make sure the snakes gets absolutely no stress and repeat.

I had a small hatchling regurge and it is a gorgeous snake so I don't want to loose it.

Best Wishes,

Steven Owens

Has the snake held down meals before or was this the 1st meal?

Either way before jumping to meds I would just wait several days and try again with a smaller pink... or possibly 1/2 a pink.

Also, make sure to have a heat pad under part of the tank to help in digestion.

~ Mike Russo

The pinky was small and this wasnt the first meal. But I will wait a few days and try again. Any ideas on what the best lower surface temp should be? Air temp is usually in the low 80s to upper 70s.

Thanks for your response,

Steven Owens

You could try Nutri-Bac. It's not a medication, more like a digestive aid that replaces natural enzyms and you just sprinkle it on the food item. I think East Bay Vivarium sells it. I have used it and it works great for getting snakes back on track that have regurged due to lacking proper environmental conditions, too big of a meal, stress, etc. but it is not going to cure a truely sick snake although it may help a sick snake enough that it's own immune system can cure it.

Stress, Illness, Or the food item..

As long as the animal looks and acts healthy, drinks water, and is in a clean dry cage. I would just give it some quiet time alone and try again later. Could just be that there has not been a chance to settle in and aclimate to the new crib.