Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have a Diamond Back at the university here that was caught about 4 months ago at Reelfoot Lake in TN. It is now showing signs of respiratory distress. But the most distressing thing we're noticing is it appears the entire head is swelling and the skin is protruding between some of the scales of the head and throat and around the eyes.

We will up its temperatures and humidity but we're not sure what it should be upped to. Would someone have an idea of the optimum temp and humidity we need for this snake?

Also, has anyone ever noticed swelling of this type with these snakes?

She was offered a green frog today. As yet, she hasn't eaten it and isn't showing much interest (which isn't surprising with the respiratory distress).

Prior to getting sick, she was fed green frogs and green sunfish.

First of all...do not feed frogs. They will NOT help the situation with high parasitic content. Second, do not up the humidity. If the snake has an infection, the last thing you want is a moist environment where the bacteria can fluorish. Put the snake on plain paper towels, boost the temperature up, and put in a small water bowl only large enough for the snake to drink out of. Get the snake to a vet ASAP. Whatever the infection or problem is, it sounds urgent. The snake will probably not last long if it is that serious. Andy
-----
Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

Thank you for your help. I will try to talk the dept. chair into letting me take the snake to the vet. However, it's been a real fight to get the dept. to do much more than feed them. I'm not in charge of them...just the secretary...but I care very much for their wellbeing

Sherry

Increase the temperature by; offering a basking site (an incandescent light bulb, perhaps 60 watt) with a reflector which will provide a "hot spot" of 95 degrees F. Leave the light on for 12 hours a day. A timer really helps here. Do not allow the snake to come in contact with the bulb!
If you're not familiar with heat pads/hot rocks, you're best to simply keep the snake in a room that is about 75-80 degrees if at all possible. You can only do what you can do!

As reported earlier, yes, yes and yes. Warm, dry and a vet. (And no frogs!) Up here a vet would cost about $40.00/visit plus $15.00 for meds. I'd call first if this could be an option to ascertain pricing. Of course this is only a ballpark since we don't know what the snake's suffering from, yet.

By the way, I don't want to come across as a jerk but, is it at all possible that the swollen head is a threat display and the skin is showing around the scales? Or is the skin protruding? If the snakes supposed to be alone, is ANYTHING moving when he's not?
Michael

Thanks. I'll try to get the chair to let me take it to the vet. One of the students here who does take care of the snakes and cares about their well-being is fixing up a different cage for the snake so that we can get a better grip on the temps. We'll have a uth as well as a 60-watt light on her to get her temps up. We don't use heatrocks here. Currently, she's in a 3 foot neo but it's a real drafty room.

Her head is really strange. Nathan says it appears that the skin is protruding between the scales. To me, it appears that the skin is actually cracking, which has made me think she's too dry.

Sherry

Increase the temperature by; offering a basking site (an incandescent light bulb, perhaps 60 watt) with a reflector which will provide a "hot spot" of 95 degrees F. Leave the light on for 12 hours a day. A timer really helps here. Do not allow the snake to come in contact with the bulb!
If you're not familiar with heat pads/hot rocks, you're best to simply keep the snake in a room that is about 75-80 degrees if at all possible. You can only do what you can do!

As reported earlier, yes, yes and yes. Warm, dry and a vet. (And no frogs!) Up here a vet would cost about $40.00/visit plus $15.00 for meds. I'd call first if this could be an option to ascertain pricing. Of course this is only a ballpark since we don't know what the snake's suffering from, yet.

By the way, I don't want to come across as a jerk but, is it at all possible that the swollen head is a threat display and the skin is showing around the scales? Or is the skin protruding? If the snakes supposed to be alone, is ANYTHING moving when he's not?
Michael

Sorry, I tried to use two fingers that time.
Michael

lol Thank you. Sorry it took so long to get back to you today. Been a hectic one around here.

Sherry