Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is in regards to the sick Burmese that I asked about a few posts down. I picked her up today, and she had become incredibly weaker, barely able to hold her head up. She's about 20" long.

I've been talking to David of High End Herps Inc. over the past few days about possible health problems that could be causing it. After sharing pictures with him, he feels internal parasites are the problem. At his suggestion, I'm hoping for opinions and ideas from others, so I can best be prepared when I take her to the vet's.

Also, when I picked her up, I talked to the pet store owner about carrying Burmese, and he said it was a mistake he wouldn't make again, and he wasn't sure why he had taken this one in the first place.

Thank you so much.
Rachel

I just read through your oringinal post and was wondering. You said it was eating well but was dehydrated has it deficated at all. In the second pic it looks like it is pretty swollen around the vent area. Dehydration can cause impaction and internal failier which can lead to internal infection. Just a thought but you might want to take him to a vet asap especialy scince he has a hard time lifting his head. Sounds like something you may not want to wait on. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Rachel, it is very difficult to tell what might be wrong just from the pics (though they do help). Could be parasites, could be some sort of virus, could just be genetics which albinos are susceptible to if not properly managed (from the breeder's end). The only way you will know what's going on is to run some fecals and bloodwork on this snake. That will require you to spend a little money but it will be money well spent if you want a healthy animal. It could just be a simple internal parasite that can be quickly eradicated with the proper meds like Panacur. Are there any vets in the area that can look at the snake? If you want to hold your costs down, run the fecals ($50 ish) first and then, if needed, the bloodwork (which will be in the $100-150 range). Right now, just keep stress to a minimum, provide a very warm (95 deg F) basking spot along with a thermal gradient where the snake can cool off to the low 80's. This is a tad higher than normal but if your snake is ill it will seek out the warmest places to try and fight off the infection or whatever may be making it sick.

Good luck,
Rob Carmichael

>>This is in regards to the sick Burmese that I asked about a few posts down. I picked her up today, and she had become incredibly weaker, barely able to hold her head up. She's about 20" long.
>>
>>I've been talking to David of High End Herps Inc. over the past few days about possible health problems that could be causing it. After sharing pictures with him, he feels internal parasites are the problem. At his suggestion, I'm hoping for opinions and ideas from others, so I can best be prepared when I take her to the vet's.
>>
>>Also, when I picked her up, I talked to the pet store owner about carrying Burmese, and he said it was a mistake he wouldn't make again, and he wasn't sure why he had taken this one in the first place.
>>
>>Thank you so much.
>>Rachel
>>
>>
>>
>>
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Thank you so much for your advice and information. Unfortunately, she died around 3am on Thursday morning.

Rachel

Sorry to hear about that; I'm sure you did everything you could to save that animal. Having worked with countless burms over the years (many coming from animal abuse cases) it never gets any easier when one doesn't make it. Hopefully, you'll get a chance to raise up a nice healthy animal in the future. Rob

>>Thank you so much for your advice and information. Unfortunately, she died around 3am on Thursday morning.
>>
>>Rachel
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Set the pythons enclosure up the way Rob specified and as he said, at a minimum, have a fecal run if possible. Not only could this check for a parasite possibility, but have them also look for red cells, which would be one indicator of internal damage.

My first question would be how and what was used to eliminate the mites that you said it came in with. That could be an important part of this snakes health issues. Also, what degree of body damage are you seeing in association with the broken ribs. If fairly severe, there is always the possibility of internal organ damage, which in itself could explain a lot of the symptoms you are seeing.

Kelly

Thank you for the information and advice. Unfortunately, she died around 3am on Thursday morning.

Rachel