Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have several snakes, one of which is an adult, male Eastern King about 5 years old. He has always been healthy and has had good sheds. A few weeks ago he sneezed a few times but otherwise seemed O.K. He's on Aspen in a 40 gallon tank. I thought perhaps it was just some of the dust from the Aspen. Tonight,I noticed he sneezed several times, expectorated some white mucous on the glass side of his tank. He's "Blue" and I expect him to shed in a few days. I plan to contact a herp vet and see if I can get to see the Vet tomorrow. A 160 mile round trip. Any thoughts, comments would be appreciated.

>>I have several snakes, one of which is an adult, male Eastern King about 5 years old. He has always been healthy and has had good sheds. A few weeks ago he sneezed a few times but otherwise seemed O.K. He's on Aspen in a 40 gallon tank. I thought perhaps it was just some of the dust from the Aspen. Tonight,I noticed he sneezed several times, expectorated some white mucous on the glass side of his tank. He's "Blue" and I expect him to shed in a few days. I plan to contact a herp vet and see if I can get to see the Vet tomorrow. A 160 mile round trip. Any thoughts, comments would be appreciated.

Definitely a respiratory infection.........I would put him on newspaper and turn up the heat a bit.........after the vet trip.......
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

I definitely agree with JLassiter about it being a respiratory infection setting in. The "sneezing" and discharge are very typical of respiratory infections. Often you can hear them making a "clicking" sound as they breath in and out. The vet needs to do a swab on the snake's mouth/throat for a bacteria culture to be done to see exactly which antibiotics will target the specific bacteria best. As was mentioned, increasing the warmth ASAP so the snake can reach the upper 80's will help it's own metabolism in combating the infection until it can be seen by the vet. This is definitely something you don't want to let go.

best of luck with the snake getting back on track!

~Doug

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

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

I would turn up the heat, give him some humidity (a humid hide) over the heat and wait until he sheds. Sometimes this can happen just prior to a shed as the loose skin in the nostrils causes the wheezing and buildup of mucous.

Don't be like me and spend time and money at a vets when the problem was not even a problem. Yours could be an infection but I would wait the few days and see before driving 80 miles to a vet.

If the wheezing and mucous continue after the shed, then its an infection. Snakes use heat to combat infection, and kings are tough.
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Antaresia maculosa
Antaresia childreni

Mark G

John, Doug, Mark,
Many thanks to each of you for your helpful replies. We took the Kingsnake to the Univ. of Georgia Vet Teaching Clinic, yesterday, Oct. 21st. They did a series of tests including an exam, throat or nasal wash, blood test, and culture. We came back after two hours and was told that they did not think the snake had an infection. The vet said he would call on Monday when the results from the culture came back. If there is an infection they will then recommend antibiotics. I did pay a bill of almost $200 but feel it was worth it. Upon returning home we sanitized the tank, water dish, hides, etc. Removed all Aspen and replace with newspaper. I also increased the heat under the hot hide and also in the room. Over the hot hide temp. is about 87F, room temp about 75F. I haven't observed the snake sneezing since I first noticed it sneeze with mucousst Thursday. No more mucous either. I may change all my snakes to newspaper but like the Aspen for easy of spot cleaning, etc. I've been using Sani-Chips Aspen. It's not very dusty but there is some fines and dust. I was wondering if washing the Aspen to remove fines and then drying would help with the dust. I intend to wash using only water a small quanity in a large, fine screen strainer or thru cheesecloth and see if after drying the dust is less. I never feed on Aspen but remove the snakes to a separate clean, plastic box. Thanks again, I'll post the results, etc. of the culture. Don

I received a call from the Univ. of Georgia Vet Clinic. All tests and cultures for the Kingsnake which we thought had a respiratory infection came back negative. Apparently he's healthy and now seems OK. Thanks guys for all your kind responses.

I use Sani-Chip Aspen as a substrate in all my cages. I did switch this Kingsnake to newspaper. I also can get Shredded Aspen Laboratory Grade Bedding for a good price. Would it be better to use this instead of the Sani-Chips. My thought is that the shredded would probably be less dusty. Any thoughts? Thanks much. Don
Sneezing Kingsnake