Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone have pics of sick snakes. I want to collect a folder of snakes with issues.Even minor problems like bad sheds, eye caps,cuts. Bigger problems like lumps, stuck eggs,sores from rubbing on tank etc.I thought it might be helpfull when people come here with questions about the health of their snake.I am not writing a book but i would like permission to use the pics here in the forums.You guys are welcome to any pics of mine.

So called "mouth rot"
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"Wake me when its April"

Doug L

"The Cootie" was the name given to this fungus by a good buddy. In `06 I received snakes from a well known breeder... weeks later about 95% of my `06 hatchlings had this disgusting fungal infection.

There were blisters all over the snakes' body and they seemed to crave water (no drinking it... "sitting" in it for days). sadly the water seemed to accelerate the spread of the fungi (catch-22).

Frustrated with it all I culled (removal/killing by way of freezing) every snake that had any of this stuff on it's body.

It later popped up in a few I did not freeze initially so I froze those as well and I haven't seen it since (THANK GOD). needless to say, I had no profit in `06 and to make it worst the snake that gave this to my collection was a hi-end animal (that I paid for...no freebies!) and it died as well!

The Fungi

After this snake died I peeled back the infected area on the head and the snakes was "perfect" under there!

The worst part of my ordeal was that the breeder acknowledged the infection started with his stock (because others were having the same issue)... but that breeder turned around and said that I should've had a better handling procedure and washed my hands between snakes as to not infect all my hatchlings, some how implying that I'd be stupid enough to touch an infected snake and then go handle other snakes????

Overall I learned how to implement what I've been hearing for years! QUARANTINE EVERYTHING!!!!!

~ZF

Thats looks more like the CRUD (cronic reocuring undiagnosed disease) then the cooties.Real nasty looking. I would hope the breeder that sold you the snake worked something out to remedy the deal.
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"Wake me when its April"

Doug L

WOW that's pretty ugly Z!! Thankfully, I have never seen that before..

Sorry for you losses.

~ Mike Russo

Thanx... if anything it was a learning experience.

In a way i have to share a bit of the blame because i did not quarantine my new arrivals. never having that problem before (or any others really)... i didn't really think much about it.

One thing i forgot in my original post... there were snakes that showed no symptoms like the snake pictured that just died spontaneously...????

What's my message "Boys and Girls" Quarantine EVERYTHING, no matter who you get it from and how well known they are! I stopped a mite infestation as a result of a quarantine. Now if anyone has ever had those little black mites in their collection you know! it's not pretty once they spread!

I first started hearing of "cooties" in grammar school. Thank God I never caught them LOL! That is some nasty looking stuff, it looks kinda like the fungus that affects tropical aquarium fish.
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Kevin Harrell
www.harrellandsonsherps.com

I had a similar outbreak with some of my collection, and Iodine
applied to the skin took care of all of it. I just applied every day until the first shed, and then once a week until the second shed.
-Phil
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Work is the curse of
the drinking class!

This little guy is a hypo that one day had these white patches in random places, I have no idea how he did it since only thing in his cage was a water bowl and newspaper substrate. A few people told me it was caused by cutting off circulation from a tight place, only thing I can guess is he did it on the water bowl or when he constructed a mouse against the water bowl. Either way in about 4 sheds it was almost gone.

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Jason A.
"Long time Herper, first year Breeder `07."
My 2008 Care Sheet & The BRB Stats. Username: brb@kingsnake.com

Very interesting.Its amazing how many different kinds of health issues I have never seen.
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"Wake me when its April"

Doug L

Here's one that I have right now. Just discovered this blister yesterday. Not sure what causes it or how to treat it as I have never had a snake get one before. It is definetely not too wet in his tub, either. Any ideas?

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Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

Looks like it may be a water blister.I might try a bit of Povidone-Iodine or any antiseptic.Wild snakes have those when they come out in the spring. They clean up after a few sheds
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"Wake me when its April"

Doug L

Ok, thanks a bunch. I did put some neosporin on it after taking these pictures. Glad to hear it will clear up soon!
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Aubrey Ross

©
www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

I have had snakes get this before. Like Zach says it's an abcess. My vet is also a personal friend of mine and I get to play around with things. When he takes care of them he just simply takes a needle and cuts it open. It's very similar to popping a pimple. Just fill it with neosporin after.

I'm not saying this is something that Neosporin can fix (I honestly don't know but would personally take it to a vet) but if it is possible, petroleum-based antibiotics should be avoided. White-petroleum, the main ingredient in most antibiotic gels, softens reptile scales and I imagine could cause problems shedding. I have also heard anecdotally that despite the fact that it is an antibiotic, it can cause bacteria to develop on the scales (possibly by keeping the scales wet?). If you can find it, I would pick up a water-based neosporin spray. I think it's called "NEO TO GO". Using regular neosporin is probably better than using nothing, but it's not a huge investment to pick up the spray. Obviously the best course of action is to take any reptile to a vet if there is concern that an antibiotic is needed at all.

That looks like an abscess to me. Snakes do not make liquid puss. So if they get a small trauma (splinter, cut, etc) the white blood cells form a caseous cheesy chunk that can't go anywhere. It probably is painful, like a pimple that you can't pop. I would have a vet lance it under a local anesthetic.

It could also be something more serious like a tumor. Is that a hondo? Definitely worth a trip to the vet IMHO.

Cheers