Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a gravid female Okeetee corn, and she currently is around 360 grams. She has always been healthy, but this morning I checked on her and I noticed what appear to be little tape worms (in appearance) in her tub, and on her as well. I know mites are always a concern, but I have never seen or heard anything about snakes having tape worms.

If anyone out there can shed light on this matter for me I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,

Faster

Never heard of that.can you take pics? Jeff

Yes I will try to get a pic uploaded to KS by tonight. It looks identical to a tape worm a cat or a dog would have. Same size and coloration. She is housed alone in aspen bedding. No contact with any other snakes or animals.

Thanks

I would strongly suggest a knowledgeable vet visit so it can get a "fecal floatation", "a throat smear", and some Panacur(Fenbendazole) administered....ASAP!

Nobody can help the snake from here anyway, only a vet!

good luck!

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

my website -Serpentine Specialties

Yes I know my vet will be the proper route to take. I was just baffled as to how or why a snake which has always been very healthy and well kept could have something which basically appears to be tape worms. I had never heard of that in snakes before.. just the usual illnesses such as mites, and respiratory infections etc.

I cleaned and sterilized her tub and water dish, and will see what happens over the weekend til I can get her to my vet.

What could be the possible cause of this though? I have no idea...

Thanks

A prey animal it ate could have been a previous host for the worms, then they were ingested by the snake at some point.

There are many types of worms too, so it could be some other kind possibly.

That is another reason why frozen/thawed rodents are a great idea.

Panacur will put the hurtin' on the worms..

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

my website -Serpentine Specialties

Yes I agree... F/T is the only thing she has had her whole life. I got her in 08 and she's never had a live animal to feed on. That's a big part of why I couldn't make sense of it.

Wow, yeah, that seems bizarre as all heck!

I don't know what to make of it either??

I would certainly do a vet visit and fecal exam done, and if it does test positive for worms, get a regimen of Panacur(Fenbendazole) done though, and see if they come out in the snakes feces once they are killed.

Good luck with it!

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

my website -Serpentine Specialties