Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

A month or so ago I purchased a pait of Leucistic texas rats from a guy at a repltile show. The female is very large, but the male is EXTREMELY emaciated....to the point I can see his ribs. He also has several spots of what I'm GUESSING is some sort of bacterial infection....showing an orangy/brown color.

I managed to get him eating fuzzies...with one regurge...and then weaned him up to full sized mice over the past several weeks. He has now eaten two full sized mice for me with no problema...but I feel like there may be a better course of treatment. Can anyone here recommend anything to help him put on weight? What about treatment for the skin infection??

Thanks for any info....

I would say check with a herp vet about the spots if they don't come off in the next shed or if they spread or get bigger.

As for the weight problem, if he's got access to warmth in a good gradient and if he's eating like you say he is, that sounds like something you're handling correctly already. I've seen a few horribly emaciated snakes bounce back with a few months of steady eating and drinking.

Good luck.

Billy

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Phillyherping

In addition to those things already mentioned, if temps remain good and it DOES regurge again, there is a STRONG possibility of intestinal parasite activity. This could easily be addressed by a knowledgable herp vet. Flagyl(Metronidazole), Panacur(Fenbendazole) being likely candidates for medication. The brownish spots on/under the scales sound like fungus from moisture being harbored under the scales, this can be a common problem if snakes are left in an environment that is to moist for a prolonged period. But they could also be bacteria in nature as well,....hard to know this without seeing the animal.

In any case, if you don't see a progressive incline of things, I would strongly recommend a trip to a good vet that is familiar with snakes.

good luck!, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Thanks for the encouragement all! I will keep up his diet and hopefully he will improve. He seems a good bit "spunkier" than when i first got him....and seems to be developing an attitude too.

Thanks again...hopefully I will be able to get him in good enough condition to breed to the female in the spring!

--Drew

>> A month or so ago I purchased a pait of Leucistic texas rats from a guy at a repltile show. The female is very large, but the male is EXTREMELY emaciated....to the point I can see his ribs. He also has several spots of what I'm GUESSING is some sort of bacterial infection....showing an orangy/brown color.
>>
>> I managed to get him eating fuzzies...with one regurge...and then weaned him up to full sized mice over the past several weeks. He has now eaten two full sized mice for me with no problema...but I feel like there may be a better course of treatment. Can anyone here recommend anything to help him put on weight? What about treatment for the skin infection??
>>
>>Thanks for any info....

Drew:

The skin spots indicate there is an infection. It is key to determine if it is indeed a skin infection rather then internal. You should get a consult with an experienced herp vet for a diagnosis.

Good luck

John D

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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake
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