Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone here ever heard of seizures in snakes? I was checking on my '03 VIVID bairds when I noticed one of them was looking kind of strange (head uptilted backwards). At this point I stopped what I was doing to watch what was going on and happend to witness the most bizzare thing. She started convulsing and flailing around w/ her mouth wide open and tongue sticking straight out (not just hanging out but straight out like a stick or piece of wire). This went on for about 15-20 seconds and then stopped. I thought I had just watched her die but she righted herself and slowly started crawling around her enlosure. She was kind of lethargic when I picked her up but was fine and strong when I checked back about 10 min later. Did I just witness a seizure or something else? Has anyone ever heard of epilepsy in snakes? Comments Please.

-Justin Becraft

Though it's rare in colubrids, i've heard of it happening in them. I dont know enough about it to say one way or the other.

I'd keep her seperate from all of your other snakes, just to be safe. preferrably in another room. And make sure you wash your hands between handling.

That was a thought that ran through my head, and I did seperate.
Personally I have never heard of IBD in colubrids. As of now she appears completly fine but I am keeping a close eye. Thanks for your insight. Justin

If so, you could be seeing the results of pyrethroid poisoning. It happened to some hatchlings I had once before I knew how to safely use those mite sprays. If this is the case, get them out of the cage wash them off and put them in an unsprayed cage with new substrate and fresh water. Good luck.
John

No Mites, nor have I sprayed for them. I did check for mites and the like and cleaned all my cages just to be safe.
Thanks for your input. Justin