Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, wierd things going on with my corns. They are approximately 7 months old I would say. They are growing like weeds and seem helathy, or at least they did. They had progressed to about 2 or 3 thawed pinkies per feeding, approximately once a week. They were both handling this no prob, but lately they have been puking over half of them back up. Now, the one is newer to the tank, a replacement for a lost snake (courtesy of a dear *cough cough* roomate). This has only started since she arrived. Possibility of an infection introduced through her? Also, I have noticed that they spend very little time on the warm end of the tank. Not quite sure what is up with that. Could it be they are not warm enough to digest? Im stumped with this one. They do not seem to be losing weight and appear helathy, except they just keep puking!! Thanks in advance for all of your help.

It sounds to me like you have had a few regurges from them. Do NOT feed them for 10 days now! You have to let the good bacteria that came up with their regurge to rebuild in their gut or they will continue to regurge and die. A snake can only regurge so many times before it is too late to save them. So, no food for 10 days from the regurge. Even if you fed two or three pinks and only one came up, it still is the same.

After the ten days, feed only a small portion of what they are accustomed to eating. In this case I would feed either one tiny pink (or just a head if you don't have tiny ones). If the food stays down, wait 7 days and feed a small portion again, wait 7 days and repeat, then wait 7 days and feed two pinks. Then if that stays down slowly build back up to normal feedings. Benebac or Nutribac would also be good if you can get some. Kathy Love sells the Nutribac.

What you want to do is avoid anymore regurges because, as I said, there comes a point where a few in a row will mean death.

Also, it would be best to seperate them so you can keep an eye on each and if you find just one regurge you will know which one is having the problems. It could very well be that you new one brought something in with it that your older one now has. It might be good for you to take them to the vet so they can check their stools.

Good luck.

>>Ok, wierd things going on with my corns. They are approximately 7 months old I would say. They are growing like weeds and seem helathy, or at least they did. They had progressed to about 2 or 3 thawed pinkies per feeding, approximately once a week. They were both handling this no prob, but lately they have been puking over half of them back up. Now, the one is newer to the tank, a replacement for a lost snake (courtesy of a dear *cough cough* roomate). This has only started since she arrived. Possibility of an infection introduced through her? Also, I have noticed that they spend very little time on the warm end of the tank. Not quite sure what is up with that. Could it be they are not warm enough to digest? Im stumped with this one. They do not seem to be losing weight and appear helathy, except they just keep puking!! Thanks in advance for all of your help.

First thing you need to do is separate the snakes.
You even noticed it yourself. Started when the snakes were put together. This is most likely caused by stress.
Separate and follow the advise given by gradenmum to wait 10 days before feeding again.
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"resistance is futile"
Jimmy (draybar)

Draybars Snakes

Please excuse me for taking the serious situation in which you find yourself with your snakes as an opportunity to help others, but it is scenarios such as these which present the very best opportunities. I hope you understand my sincere motivation...

It may be that the regurging which is taking place here has absolutely nothing to do with the communal habitat, or it could be stress related from having multiple snakes living together, or it could be a communicable virus that has now infested the entire tank. We simply cannot know at this point, because the snakes were all together. If they had been separated, one would likely be able to know immediately which one was sick first, and isolate and treat that one animal. If this is something serious, all of the animals could be lost, because they were kept together for whatever reason.

So...all of that being true...

Would those of you on the board, who tell new people that there is no need to worry about having multiple snakes in one vivarium please come here in this thread to explain to Darkside how it was such a good idea after all???

I am really interested to see if anyone will actually say anything, and if so, what they could possibly offer in such a situation!

I really do hope your snakes are fine, Darkside!
-----
Darin Chappell
Hillbilly Herps
PO Box 254
Rogersville, MO 65742

What is your set up like? What size tank? What are the temps on the hot side? Cool side? What do you have for hides? Where are they placed? Water dishes? Humidity levels? Are you feeding live or frozen? If the food is frozen, how do you thaw it? Have you had fecals done?

There are lotsa variables. A little more information may be helpful. As sugested, separating the snakes may be a wise start.

Sorry that your snakes are sick. Situaltions such as this can be serious. Sometimes snakes do not show signs of illness 'till they are quite progressed. Please do not hesitate to consult a qualified herp vet!!

Best of luck to you and your snakes.

Hello everyone. First of all, I would like to thank everyone for the input. It was very helpful. The snakes both ate one small pinkie on Sunday, and so far no regurge. If someone could let me know if this is a plausible hypothesis, but the past few weeks ive been having some trouble with the night-time heating light on that tank. I turn it on everynight, but there must be a loose wire and it turns off in the middle of the night. Thus, the poor things were at the mercy of the room temp untill I could locate at replacement light. It is fixed now, and no regurge. Could it be that they were too cold to digest at night?

To answer stryder's question, it is a 30 gal. breeder with aspen bedding. There are two hides, one on either end of the tank as well as a large water dish that they drink from frequently. I know the humidity in the entire appartment is low, as I need to use a moisture box to help them shed right. I feed frozen pinkies warmed up by placing them into a plastic sandwhich bas and then placing the bag into a cup of hot water. I bought this new batch of frozens at the same time I bougt the snake. Bad mice? None of the other animals are complaning, but snakes are more pickey. I stil intend to take them to a vet and have them checked out as soon as possible, just to be safe.