Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a collection of about 40 snakes and 20 lizards. Last week two of my snakes from the same species died within a period of two days. I took a saliva sample from a different snake because it was very close to their cage and these are the results: Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. What I want to know is your opinion about the situation, should I start injecting all of the animals or only the ones that are showing any signs of sickness or obnormal behavior?
p.s. I didn't take samples from the dead snakes because I didn't have the proper tools to take a sample.
Thank you for your help. Yonatan

Years ago I had my whole collection infested with Pseudomonus. After preparing myself figuring out how much I need to spend on baytril for 2 treatments a day per snake, a friend told me about how someone he knew used Lactobacillus to treat Pseudomonas in farm animals. I sprinkled some in every snakes water bowl, and in a few days the Pseudomonas was completely wiped out. You can buy Lactobacillus in the form of acidolpholis in health food stores, usually refrigerated. It come in a fine powder in capsules, and for about 30$ you can buy enough to last a long time depending on the size of your collection. I'm not familiar with Enterococcus, but give it a try. Since I've been using acidolpholis in my collection, I occasionally still have problems with Giardia(pardon spelling) if it gets serious enough, but no more with Pseudomonas or coccidia. Anyway give Lactobacillus a try, and it should ease some of your worries. Hope this helps.
Alan,

That is very interesting. Do you use Lactobacillus as a preventative for all your snakes and if so at what rate and frequency? I have had a snake check positive for Giardia before as well. Where does it come from (the water I suppose)? What are the symptoms and is it lethal?

Thanks,
Dan

I believe Giardia does come from the water. Lactobacillus seems to do very little, if anything if Giardia infestation gets too severe, but in healthy snakes it sure seems to keep it in check. As far as preventive maintenence, pretty much. I'll give it to all snakes when bringing them up from hibernation, or to snakes fresh out of the wild. I don't have any particular frequency to which I administer it. I've had snakes regain their ability to hold down food before, using only Lactobacillus, but if you have a 5' obsoleta that consistantly can't even hold down a small adult mouse (as opposed to a jumbo breeder) you probably need to treat with Flagyl. I can definately say lactobacillus has made maintaining my collection easier.

Alan,

AFAIK, bacteria of Enterococcus are very common in all vertebrate digestive systems and not usually harmful. I could be way off track though.

Van

Thank you again