Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all. I read the extensive post below by wombat and lizardman, and found it very interesting. Still, I am wondering if anyone has some more specific advice for me. Here is the situation: I was recently given a WC E. dione which I believe is gravid (she is about to shed, so I will know in a little while if that's the case!). Because I suspect it to be gravid, I have not vetted her yet. She was given to me by a resort owner here about 100 miles E of Seoul. I had this species in my collection in Canada, so I am somewhat familiar with them. I have disturbed her as little as possible since getting her home. I do know a vet here at Seoul National University Vet Hospital, but am wondering if anyone has had experience with deparasitizing this species. Thanks for any information anyone may have!
Dave Tonetti

Chatting up a good vet is always a good starting place

And, here is Melissa Kaplan's website, that is a also a starting point for information...

http://www.anapsid.org/resources/rxdose.html

I'm also interested in more specific discussion- whether people have had success with forcing liquids into a snake or tried hiding a powder or injecting a prey item? Whether they have experiece with treating gravid animals?

Check also a good library or on-line bookstores for information on specific reptiles, be aware that reptile metabolism is significantly different than other animals that information may be more available for, ie many drugs are much more toxic to turtles because of transport across the blood/brain barrier...

If you have a gravid animal be extra careful, the jury still seems to be out on whether some common meds will harm the babies.

Hi Wombat,
Thanks for your input. Yes, those are all good points, especially regarding the condition of her being gravid and the difference in the effects of medications on different species of animals. Because of those considerations, I have not done anything until I know she is gravid or not. I have set her up with a good hide and nesting box and disturbed her as little as possible to keep her stress to a minimum. She has shed this past Saturday, so sometime between the 23rd and the 28th she will lay if she is gravid. In the meantime, I do have a vet here (Seoul) that I can take her to. I'll post what his dosage is.

As wombat suggested, just talking with a vet for their opinion often yeilds huge information. They often love to chat with people who have a genuine interest as opposed to those looking to avoid a visit.

If your snake is not showing any symptoms, and is otherwise happy, alert and active, I would not deworm until a)she is confirmed to be no longer gravid b)she has acclimated to captivity sufficiently.

Have fun!

ps, I'm terrible with latin names for the thousands of herps out there, what is the common name for this snake?

Is the common name. It's a small snake and can often have very bright colors. Terry Cox has some beauties and so does Sacha Korell if you check for pictures on their websites. They tend to be really docile and easy to work with. It was great to come across some wild ones, even if I didn't actually see them in situ myself!