Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

PROBLEM: Could my lovely lavender CA King have a serious problem and if so, how do I find a reputable vet? My vet doesn't do exotics!

BACKGROUND: My husband and I just became the proud "parents" of a 4 and 1/2 foot long male lavender California King (Elvis). We were told that he is approximately 9-12 years old and was a rescue (so we're not sure of his background).

I met Elvis a year ago at the sanctuary where I volunteer in the Education Dept., but since had a history of biting several of the keepers, he went back to living at the Director's home and was promptly, if temporarily, adopted out to some friends of hers. When I got him in early this July, he looked very underfed to my unexperienced eye. He had loose skin and could only lift his head about 2" off the floor and couldn't keep it up for long.

He ate approximately 4 mice (adult) each week, shed nicely (complete) after six weeks (we didn't feed or handle while he was blue/opaque) and has shown an improvement in strength. He's able to lift up almost 12-18"!

HOWEVER, He's been refusing food for two weeks and one of the keepers who saw him last week thought it was odd that his backbone is still visible even though he has a small amount of fat on his middle. My husband and I recently started researching more thoroughly (we're cat folks, but are branching out) and found that he's NOT GETTING ENOUGH LIGHT/Vitamin D living in the garage (even through we were told he'd be fine there).

Any advice on how to find a vet and then what questions to ask would be helpful.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

p.s. It would be obvious to use the Sanctuary's vet, but I believe she overcharges and usually prescribes antibiotics regardless of the problem.

my first posting failed...
Link to photo of Elvis

Hi

This should be able to help you with your search. http://www.arav.org/Default.htm
Copy and paste or click on the link below. Hope your animal gets better.
Asso. of Reptile and Amphibian Vets

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Jonel @ Selective Propagations
www.spsnakes.com

Elvis doesn't look at all underweight to me. He seems to have ample fat stores. It's no big deal that he's not eating either, in my opinion. Especially considering how many mice he's eaten in the last two months. The thing about not being able to lift his head is what's odd. If that condition gets bad again, then yes, I would go to the vet.
By the way, it's generally agreed that snakes do not need any form of lighting or vitamin supplementation when fed a proper diet. Thousands of snakes have been kept and raised without it with no problem.

>>Hi,
>>
>>PROBLEM: Could my lovely lavender CA King have a serious problem and if so, how do I find a reputable vet? My vet doesn't do exotics!
>>
>>BACKGROUND: My husband and I just became the proud "parents" of a 4 and 1/2 foot long male lavender California King (Elvis). We were told that he is approximately 9-12 years old and was a rescue (so we're not sure of his background).
>>
>>I met Elvis a year ago at the sanctuary where I volunteer in the Education Dept., but since had a history of biting several of the keepers, he went back to living at the Director's home and was promptly, if temporarily, adopted out to some friends of hers. When I got him in early this July, he looked very underfed to my unexperienced eye. He had loose skin and could only lift his head about 2" off the floor and couldn't keep it up for long.
>>
>>He ate approximately 4 mice (adult) each week, shed nicely (complete) after six weeks (we didn't feed or handle while he was blue/opaque) and has shown an improvement in strength. He's able to lift up almost 12-18"!
>>
>>HOWEVER, He's been refusing food for two weeks and one of the keepers who saw him last week thought it was odd that his backbone is still visible even though he has a small amount of fat on his middle. My husband and I recently started researching more thoroughly (we're cat folks, but are branching out) and found that he's NOT GETTING ENOUGH LIGHT/Vitamin D living in the garage (even through we were told he'd be fine there).
>>
>>Any advice on how to find a vet and then what questions to ask would be helpful.
>>
>>Thanks!!!!!!!!!
>>
>>p.s. It would be obvious to use the Sanctuary's vet, but I believe she overcharges and usually prescribes antibiotics regardless of the problem.
>>
>>
>>
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Martin Whalin
My Email

Quotes from guys named Carl:

"Science stops at the frontier of logic. Nature does not, she thrives on ground as yet untrodden by theory."
-Carl Jung

"It is foolish to let singleness of purpose deprive one of the joy and delectation of the many wonderful sights and sounds incidental to the quest."
-Carl Kauffeld

He looks pretty healthy to me also... The folds of skin you were talking about sounds more like dehydration to me rather then an eatting condition. From the picture the snake looks FINE. As far as UV lighting King Snakes do not require it at all. Most king snakes are nocturnal anyway .. The only light they would really need is a light if you want to view the snake and it doesn't need to be a UV light.

Being that it is September a lot of Cali Kings have a natural instinct to stop eatting around this time of year to prep for hybertation. It's not uncommon for a snake to fast for 3-4 weeks at a time. My female corn fasted around 3 1/2 weeks before she accepted any mice again and she is perfectly healthy. During the winter months snakes will eat less and if that snake was eatting FOUR adult mice a week he should be fine. If you feel the need to take him to a vet do so but I personally think you are over reacting a little bit.
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Reptiles
0.1 - Early 2002 Anery Motley Corn 33 1/2"
1.0 - Late 2003 Yellow Rat Snake 15 2/3"
0.0.1 - 2003 Banded California King Snake 29 2/3"
1.0 Green Anole
0.0.0 House Gecko
0.1 Painted Turtle

Mammals
4 female ferrets,1 male cat and 1 male doberman...and a few kids!

RIP - Nala my Rottie 08/19/2004

Thanks to everyone for the input. Since I'm a new snake owner (and new to Herps this year), all info is good info. I'd rather be too careful than to ignore signs of illness. I'll assume his fasting is in prep for winter since the evenings have been cooling off here. He does get enough H20 (he drinks and soaks) although his cage is nice and dry. Maybe the loose skin was due to muscle atrophe? HOWVER, just last night, Elvis was able to "stand" up and nose the top of his enclosure that is about 20"! He's definitely getting stronger.

Thanks again for the great replies.

Krissi