Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I acuired my first Corn snake alittle more that 3 weeks ago. She seemed in good health till about a week ago. She sneezed last wed and really thought of it. Friday night when I held her she kept opening her mouth(and shes sneezed a couple of times).I thought it was a little unusual because I have never seen her do it before, so consulted the 2 books I read on Corns. Im terribly worried now because sneezing and frequent opening of the mouth are early signs of pnemonia/respitory infections. The books sugested rasing the hot spot to the 87-90 range, which I did. When I held her today(sat)she seemed a little mucus-y. She isnt acting sick in the slightest other than the mouth gaping. She is still incredibly active. I was wondering just how worried I should be about this. I plan on finding a vet on tuesday(mon is presidents day). I was wondering what they would do for her, and an estimated cost range. Would they give her antibiotics, or just tell me to raisse the temp? Any suggestions, or tips or anything? Could it just be a cold maybe? Thank you very much, I am very woried( and please forgive the grammar errors, I am very tired its almost 5...)

oh, and she hasnt eaten that last 2 times I have tried to feed her. Today will be 9 days. I brained the pinkie and everything. shes not acting like shes sick though, its just like shes too hyper to stop and eat...

Those are all DEFINITE signs of a Respiratory infection!!. A few threads down is another one just like yours. You need to get it to a vet ASAP!!. But until then, confine it into very small quarters and keep it in the upper 80's just like the book mentioned. This is VERY serious, and can easily lead to it's death in short order if ignored and you just "hope" it goes away. Please do NOT guess at the temps either. Temps need to be checked with an accurate thermometer BEFORE the snake is placed into it so it doesn't get overheated and killed this way just the same.

The vet will take a "sensitivity culture" to see which antibiotics will best target the bacteria. It is not expensive either.

Read the below thread that is very similar as well. The life of your snake depends on you making an appointment with the vet, and FAST!!.....please trust me on this.

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Listen to Doug he knows what hes talking about and is very helpful. Get your pet to vet asap. Its hard enough on adult snakes let alone very young ones. Your vet should be open tomorrow mine is. Id call around tomorrow just to make sure they arent closed. Best of luck!!

Thanks so much! The only vet that does reptiles in an hours driving distance is about two blocks from my house(which Im glad about, I didnt want to stress her out/its 10 degrees outside). Theyre open everyday except Xmas, thanksgiving and the 4th. The vet had a cornsnake named Elvira and seemed to have a decent knowlege in them. She gave her an antibiotic injection(Baytril), and I have to go back every 5 days for 5 visits. The price was reasonable, $50 for the first visit and $5 for each of the next visits. So itll be $75 total, which is alot less than I thought it would be. I think shes gonna be ok, thank you very much for the suggestions and such...

Awesome!,...That was money very well spent to keep your snake from suffering a long agonizing death........congrats!!

Keep us posted on it's condition later on!

~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Glad you got her to the vet quickly. Sounds about right with the injections. I just took my male in today also. I have to go back a few more times to make sure its continuing to work. so far progress is good with my scooter. Hope your lil girl gets on the fast track to healing!!!Best of luck

I was hoping to update with good news but I have none. She passed away tonight, the day after her last shot. I'm really, really bummed out about it. I spent a lot of time(and a little money) trying to nurse her back, and I thought she was going to make it. She stopped showing symptoms of sickness(mouth gaping) after her 3rd shot: I think it was starvation and stress that got to her. The vet was prepared to force-feed next week. I feel terrible, and I feel that Im to blame although to my knowlege I did everything right/I could. I feel discouraged, and am not sure if I should get another Corn or just stick to my Geckos. Thank you for the help I sincerely appreciate it: The advice/information on antibiotics was great.

I was hoping to update with good news but I have none. She passed away tonight, the day after her last shot. I'm really, really bummed out about it. I spent a lot of time(and a little money) trying to nurse her back, and I thought she was going to make it. She stopped showing symptoms of sickness(mouth gaping) after her 3rd shot: I think it was starvation and stress that got to her. The vet was prepared to force-feed next week. I feel terrible, and I feel that Im to blame although to my knowlege I did everything right/I could. I feel discouraged, and am not sure if I should get another Corn or just stick to my Geckos. Thank you for the help I sincerely appreciate it: The advice/information on antibiotics was great.