Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey,

I have a sick corn snake, I am wondering if this might be something respiratory, I am noticing some sounds from breathing, also here are some pics, I am wondering if this is almost a collapse of the lung? I am going to get the snake into a vet either this weekend or Monday, if you guys have any ideas on this snake, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

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2.0 Snow Corns
1.4 Normal Corns
1.0 Sunglow Corn
0.1 Abbott Okeetee Corn
0.2 Creamsicle Corns
0.1 Amelanistic Corns
1.1 Anerythristic A Corns
1.1 Amelanistic San Diego Gophers
0.1 Hypo Sonoran Gopher
1.0 Cape Gopher Het. Albino
1.0 Sunglow Sonoran Gopher
1.0 Southern Pine
1.1 Bull Het. Albino/Axanthic
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
0.1 Texas Rat Het. Leucistic
1.1 Everglades Rat Het. Albino
0.1 White Side Everglades Rat
1.0 Yellow Rat
1.1 Grey Rat
1.1 Black Rat (Albino,White Side)
1.0 Albino Striped Cal. King
0.1 Striped Cal. King
0.4 Misc. Cal. King
1.0 Blizzard King
0.2 Cat
0.1 Dog
0.1 Friend
jswanson737@hotmail.com

Well, I just talked to a herp vet, prognosis is not good on this. He said this is most likely a collapsed air pocket that feeds air to the lung, which would explain the labored breathing, he said this collapse usually happens within a day or two, it's relatively quick. I am faced with a decision of a TON of money to have the snake nebulized and on a breathing machine for what he thinks if a 10-15% chance of returning back to normal. Not trying to start an ethical debate with this. Just thought since I posted this and got a response from a vet so quick, someone might find some interest in the results. Thanks for reading.
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2.0 Snow Corns
1.4 Normal Corns
1.0 Sunglow Corn
0.1 Abbott Okeetee Corn
0.2 Creamsicle Corns
0.1 Amelanistic Corns
1.1 Anerythristic A Corns
1.1 Amelanistic San Diego Gophers
0.1 Hypo Sonoran Gopher
1.0 Cape Gopher Het. Albino
1.0 Sunglow Sonoran Gopher
1.0 Southern Pine
1.1 Bull Het. Albino/Axanthic
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
0.1 Texas Rat Het. Leucistic
1.1 Everglades Rat Het. Albino
0.1 White Side Everglades Rat
1.0 Yellow Rat
1.1 Grey Rat
1.1 Black Rat (Albino,White Side)
1.0 Albino Striped Cal. King
0.1 Striped Cal. King
0.4 Misc. Cal. King
1.0 Blizzard King
0.2 Cat
0.1 Dog
0.1 Friend
jswanson737@hotmail.com

wow, first off, that's one spectacular looking corn snake.

I've never seen a collapsed lung/air sac like that before, but I can't imagine it being much different then a very bad pneumonia. With that said, I'm not underestimating pneumonia in snakes, the prognosis isn't great, but I'd be a little more optomistic than a 10-15% chance.

Whatever decision you make, I'm sure it's what's best for you and your snake. Kudos to you for getting it in to the vet so soon

Ian

Thanks man, I think she's gorgeous.

The vet told me the percentage, as well as STARTING at a 400$ bill, for that small of a chance it's a tough call, I have her back on heat, and am using newspaper as substrate, hoping to keep the humidity down and the heat up, see if that helps until Monday, then I am going to call the vet I usually see and talk to him about it. It's funny, I own 39 snakes as of right now, paid 20$ for the snake, and have no problem paying twice on Monday just to get her in... amazing how the attachment still sets in after so many snakes. Bummer.
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2.0 Snow Corns
1.4 Normal Corns
1.0 Sunglow Corn
0.1 Abbott Okeetee Corn
0.2 Creamsicle Corns
0.1 Amelanistic Corns
1.1 Anerythristic A Corns
1.1 Amelanistic San Diego Gophers
0.1 Hypo Sonoran Gopher
1.0 Cape Gopher Het. Albino
1.0 Sunglow Sonoran Gopher
1.0 Southern Pine
1.1 Bull Het. Albino/Axanthic
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
0.1 Texas Rat Het. Leucistic
1.1 Everglades Rat Het. Albino
0.1 White Side Everglades Rat
1.0 Yellow Rat
1.1 Grey Rat
1.1 Black Rat (Albino,White Side)
1.0 Albino Striped Cal. King
0.1 Striped Cal. King
0.4 Misc. Cal. King
1.0 Blizzard King
0.2 Cat
0.1 Dog
0.1 Friend
jswanson737@hotmail.com