Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A month ago I purchased a large 24" female "proven breeder" western. She was unfortunately very unattractive but I also purchased a pair of her offspring (so I hear), and they were extremely pretty, one almost hypo, and the other reddish phase.
The petstore obtained these snakes from a trade with some outside person who is unknown. So I guess it is a gamble since you don't know what you are getting these days. The only thing I'm sure of is that it is female and a western hognose. I've kept the snake and offspring quarantined downstairs for the month. The offspring seem to be feeding well, but this adult female can't keep anything down. The only thing the petstore owner knows about it's feeding habits is that it has cannibalized before. I've tried feeding her every week. She eats the mouse violently but a few hours later she regurgitates.
Before I bring her to the vet I am going to try a few things. I brought her upstairs and will give her the same environment that I give my other hognoses. Also I will try to feed her a small meal and wait. Other than that I don't know what else to try. I have 6 other heteron and have no problem with them. If anyone has any advice please let me hear it. Also if anyone has any tips on using pancur, because my gut tells me it is heading that way.
thanks

Rudy
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0.1 Rubber Boa
1.1 Eastern Hognose Snakes
2.3 Western Hognose Snakes
1.0 Durango Mountain Kingsnake
1.1 Woma's (new!)
Spadefoot
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata
2.1 Leopard (Babcocki) 1.0 borrowed (thanks Bobby)
2 Plecos
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
1 African Dwarf Frog
1 Khuli Loach
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.

That really sounds like a parasite problem to me, unless the temps where she was kept were REALLY cold. My vet usually just hits everything with panacur and flagyl. They seem to have no side effects, at least in the short term.
Small meals can also help a lot in the short term, maybe that way you can get a sample out of her and find out exactly what she has?
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

See the temps she was kept at were actually warmer than my other hogs because I had her in quarantine.
Now she's up here in the same conditions as the others so we'll see.
By the way what is the dosing on pancur. I have some and am comfortable with an prophylactic treatment.
-----
0.1 Rubber Boa
1.1 Eastern Hognose Snakes
2.3 Western Hognose Snakes
1.0 Durango Mountain Kingsnake
1.1 Woma's (new!)
Spadefoot
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata
2.1 Leopard (Babcocki) 1.0 borrowed (thanks Bobby)
2 Plecos
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
1 African Dwarf Frog
1 Khuli Loach
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.

*stares at book*
is Panacur fenbendazole or praziquantel?

fenbendazole: at a concentration of 100mg/ml, the dosage is 50mg/kg

praziquantel: at a concentration of 57mg/ml, the dosage is 20mg/kg

>>See the temps she was kept at were actually warmer than my other hogs because I had her in quarantine.
>>Now she's up here in the same conditions as the others so we'll see.
>>By the way what is the dosing on pancur. I have some and am comfortable with an prophylactic treatment.
>>-----
>>0.1 Rubber Boa
>>1.1 Eastern Hognose Snakes
>>2.3 Western Hognose Snakes
>>1.0 Durango Mountain Kingsnake
>>1.1 Woma's (new!)
>> Spadefoot
>> Black Knobbed Sawback
>> Northern Diamondback
>> Florida Redbellied Slider
>> Western Painted
>> Southern Painted
>>1.0 African Hedgehog
>>1.0 Sulcata
>>2.1 Leopard (Babcocki) 1.0 borrowed (thanks Bobby)
>>2 Plecos
>>2 Silver Dollars
>>3 Bosemian Rainbows
>>1 African Dwarf Frog
>>1 Khuli Loach
>>1 Cory Cat
>>1 Upside Down Catfish
>>2.0 Fire Guramis
>>
>>uhh... I think that is it.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

The dosing for Panacur (fenbendazole)is 25-50mg/kg... you can get it from your vet or buy a jug of it from most feed stores marketed as "Safe Guard". Panacur is VERY safe, there is virtually no risk of overdose. Administer the panacur once a week for at least 3-4 weeks.

I usually administer Panacur by injecting it into the food items before feeding, but if your snake is regurging you may have to admister it PO...

That being said, I can't think of any type of nematode parasite (what panacur kills) that will cause regurgitation. More than likely you are dealing with a protozoan infection, in which case Flagyl (metronidazole) would be your best bet. Flagyl also has an effect on bacteria. Dosage for Flagyl is 25-50mg/kg. You will want to make sure you don't exceed 50mg/kg with the flagyl, it is safe, but it can be overdosed. Flagyl is admistered PO.

Either way if the snake is regurging and starts to go downhill you will want to head to the vet.
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-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com

Leos Anonymous

Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, W.Hognose and Screaming AFT's

the snake is not going downhill yet. It is just a caution flag right now.
Lucky for me I have alot of medical supplies.
I'll keep you informed in a couple of days.
-----
0.1 Rubber Boa
1.1 Eastern Hognose Snakes
2.3 Western Hognose Snakes
1.0 Durango Mountain Kingsnake
1.1 Woma's (new!)
Spadefoot
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata
2.1 Leopard (Babcocki) 1.0 borrowed (thanks Bobby)
2 Plecos
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
1 African Dwarf Frog
1 Khuli Loach
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.

Since you don't know why the snake is regurging I would move it back into quarantine pronto. There are many things that can cause regurge including viruses. One regurged meal a couple of fruit flies and your whole colony could be infected if it's a virus. It wouldn't hurt to try GSE (grapefruit seed extract), I used it on a regurging western with very good results. Get a fecal exam done so you know if it does have parasite. Most vets. will do a fecal without seeing the snake. Keep it quarantined for three months after you get it eating well. IMHO

Tim
Southampton Herps

where do you get it?
-----
0.1 Rubber Boa
1.1 Eastern Hognose Snakes
2.3 Western Hognose Snakes
1.0 Durango Mountain Kingsnake
1.1 Woma's (new!)
Spadefoot
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata
2.1 Leopard (Babcocki) 1.0 borrowed (thanks Bobby)
2 Plecos
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
1 African Dwarf Frog
1 Khuli Loach
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.

It is available at many health food stores. The dose I use is 10 drops per gallon of water. Mix up a gallon of it and give it in place of drinking water.

Tim