Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Midland Water Snake isn't doing well right now. She has been lethargic for about two weeks. She won't eat nor drink, barily moves. She was slithering to one side, but doesn't do that nearly as much.

I took her to the vet a week ago last Saturday. The vet couldn't figure anything particular out and decided to put her on antibiotics. The antibiotics do not seem to be helping. What can I do. I don't want to lose her.

When she first started to show signs she would eat nor drink. She slithered on her side, she clung to me tightly. She would elevate her head and than her head would fall back. She doesn't move much at all. If I put her back from holding her she just stays in that spot.

She eats feeder fish.

It sounds like your snake may have severe thiamine (aka vitamin B1) deficiency. This is a problem in captive snakes who are fed steady diets of goldfish, minnows, and other member of the Carp family (Cyprinidae). These fish contain high levels of an enzyme known as thiaminase which destroys thiamine, an essential amino acid, once in the snake's body. It affects the nervous system and symptoms are generally as you described - difficult or awkward movement, tilted crawling, and lethargy.

If your snake will still eat, try offering it a fish-scented pinky mouse or a non-cyprinid species of fish. Another option is to feed your snake a feeder fish dusted with a vitamin B1 supplement. As a last resort you could try tube feeding it a supplemented mixture or maybe have it administered intravenously by your vet.

Keep in mind, this is what I suspect is wrong with your snake and not a certain diagnosis by any means. Best wishes on treating your snake.
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Pierson Hill

Herpetology and Herpetoculture

I have tried to get her to eat a fish and she is no interested. The most interesting thing that you said there is that I think you are right. My vet called me two days ago and talked about having her possibly tested for a Vitamin B deficiency. If this is the case I may have to try tube feeding her. But since I have an appointment on Saturday I may see if they can give me or give her injections of the vitamin and than in the future give her the vitamin supplement myself. I've tried to feed her pinkies, but she seems uninterested. I have had her for about 3 years and have never come across this problem before. But will do what it takes to get her feeling better.

Thank you for the reply, I will let the vet know Saturday of his theory could be true. Any suggestions on feeding is always welcomed. I have always looked for more ways to feed her other than fish in a water container. I've never hand fed her except I tried to last week and she would eat.

Also I was looking at some different pictures. I was told she is a Midland Water Snake, but I honestly think she maybe a Florida Banded Water Snake, what do you think?

It's not odd that you haven't had this problem before as thiaminase buildup is generally gradual. I give my watersnakes fish scented pinkies about once a month to stave thiaminase build up. It is hard to get them to take pinks somethimes but if you cover them in enough fish guts and tease feed you can usually get them to swallow it. I've also used a multi-vitamin powder designed for reptiles and sprinkled it on fish that were fed to the snakes out of the water.

Good luck with your vet visit and report back on how it goes.

As for the ID of your snake, I couldn't tell you based on your picture. If you could take a picture that illustrates the pattern better I could tell you for certain.

In general, Banded Watersnakes have intact bands along the entire length of their bodies while Midlands are going to have staggered blotching on the posterior 2/3 of their body.
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Pierson Hill

Herpetology and Herpetoculture

I will get some pictures of her 40 gallon tank and her habitat, and of course pictures of her tonight. Unfortunatly she is pretty skinny, but I think she is gorgeous.

Here is an update on what I have done last night.

I went to Petsmart and got a Multivitamin that contains the Vitamin B1 and went to my local fish store and got their last two guppy feeders (not goldfish feeders). I also bought her a small bowl that she can get in considering she is so lethargic.

I went home and put some of this powder into water and used a small surgeon and gave it to her, she was more than happy to take the water as she hasn't been in the water in quite some time. I also put a very shallow amount of water in the bowl I bought and she waded in that. The two guppies I put in that bowl, but she is just too sick to eat, so I once again opened her mouth and plopped the fish in their and it went down, I'm not sure if she is disgesting it though. If you have any more suggestions feel free. As she must build her strength again before she will begin to really eat anything. If I have to I will blend up some feeders with the vitamin... ewww, but hey whatever gets her stronger and better again, I'm willing.

Once she is eating well again, I will start buying a pinkie once a month as I know where I can get some and rub fish on it and powder than hand feed her. She trusts me and is really good with me, so I don't forsee that as being a problem.

Thanks for your help.

One thing you might do is to go to beanfarm.com and order a feeding syringe and tube. Keep in mind this is the last resort situation. put 2 eggs in a bowl and then put a fair bit of vitamin supplement in it mix it well with an eggg beater. Do not put to much. I cannot tell you how much without seeing the snake in person but one hing pump it slowly. I have had to do it many tiems with rescued snakes and worked everytime.
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Justin