Snakes: Diseases and Infections

This is a capsulated listing of diseases and infections that may affect your pet snake. If you require more detailed information on any of these ailments, you can visit the website(s) listed at the end which contain excellent material on health issues for reptiles.


General Diseases:

Constipation:
Causes include inadequate temperatures, illness, dehydration, injuries and parasites. Constipated snakes should be allowed to soak in warm water for 20-30 minutes daily for 1-2 days. This often results in defecation and/or urination.

Cloacoliths:
Dehydration of captive snakes may result in drying out of urinary excretions. Uric acid "stones" tend to form within the cloaca (posterior opening). This causes constipation. Cloacoliths can usually be removed by a veterinarian.

Prolapses:
This occurs when an organ inverts itself inside out and protrudes through the usual external opening of that organ. Prolapses of the cloaca and reproductive organs are not uncommon among captive snakes. Veterinary assistance is essential.

Abnormal shedding:
The normal shedding process has been interrupted, resulting in a partial shed and retained eye caps. Causes include internal disease, inadequate humidity, injury to the skin and scales, parasites, lack of adequate objects against which to rub at the beginning of the shed, and thyroid gland problems. Treatment is soaking the snake in warm water for several hours. A damp towel can then be used to gently peel off stubborn skin fragments. Alternatively, roll the snake snugly in warm moist, heavy towels and allowing it to crawl out, leaving the stubborn skin fragments behind.

Retained eye caps:
This is often caused by an abnormal shed. The caps must first be softened by repeated application of a suitable eye ointment. A veterinarian is suggested.

Cancer:
Boa constrictors seem to be more affected by cancer than other snakes. Snake owners should see a veterinarian when a lump is detected on their snake.

Organ Failure:
This may be the result of advancing age or cancer, but is usually a consequence of chronic and unchecked disease among snakes.

Nutritional Deficiencies:
This is rare among captive snakes because they eat whole prey animals. Exclusive use of immature prey animals and a lack of variety in their meals can create this problem.

INJURIES:

Rostral Abrasions:
This happens when snakes rub their noses against the walls of their enclosure searching for a means to escape. This damages the scales and skin of the nose. Preventative help can be additions of artificial plants and branches to provide hiding spots. A barrier of bark paint, or plastic film along the lower 3-4 inches of the walls often helps.

Abscesses:
External abscesses usually result from bite wounds by live prey animals. These can be surgically opened and flushed by a veterinarian. Abscesses within the body are not so easy and a blood workup and/or x-rays may be necessary to confirm their presence and treatment.

INFECTIONS:

Mouth Rot:
A progressive bacterial infection involving the oral lining which may begin with increased salivation. As the disease progresses, underlying bone becomes infected and the teeth fall out. This infection must be caught in the early stages to reverse it.

Blister Disease:
Common with reptiles kept in damp, filthy environments. The first sign is a pink appearance of the bottom-most scales. The scales will become swollen and infected. Veterinary care is required.

Septicemia: (Generalized internal infections)
Bacteria may invade the body by way of wounds and abscesses, or as a consequence of serious illness. Signs may include lethargy, anorexia, dehydration, and regurgitation of incompletely digested food, redness to the skin and scales, or bleeding from the skin. The help of a veterinarian is essential and recovery odds are poor.

Respiratory infections:
Common in snakes and may be associated with septicemia (body-wide illness), viral infections and mouth rot. Signs include loud respiration, discharge and/or bubbling from the nostrils and/or mouth, coughing and open-mouth breathing. Veterinarian care is needed.

Eye Infections:
Infections may be superficial or more extensive, involving the entire eye. Superficial infections may result from mild injury to the eye and can become established below a retained eye cap. Veterinary help is essential with these cases.

Viral Infections:
Viral infections in snakes are extremely difficult to detect and identify and equally difficult or impossible to treat. Some viral infections result in abnormal skin growths while others cause digestive, respiratory and nervous system disease among snakes.

Fungal Infections:
Most of these infections involve the skin and respiratory system. Fungal infections of the eyes normally occur in snakes housed in damp, contaminated environments. Ringworm fungi that usually infect people, pets and livestock have also caused skin infections of snakes. A veterinarian must examine snakes exhibiting problems with their skin and/or eyes as soon as possible.

PARASITES:

Parasitic Diseases:
Snakes can be hosts to a large number of parasites that can cause serious diseases of their digestive, respiratory, reproductive and vascular blood systems.

With pet snakes, most parasites are carried with them into captivity, or they become parasitized while being held in generally crowded wholesale and retail channels. Pet snakes living in homes are unlikely to develop parasite problems in their relatively isolated environments.

A few of the more common parasite problems are:

Tapeworms and Roundworms inhabit the digestive tract, but the early stages can cause disease to the lungs and other organs.

Mites and ticks parasitize the skin and scales of snakes, and create disease by feeding on the host's blood.

External parasites are usually easy to diagnose and visual inspection of the skin and scales, with or without a magnifying lens, is usually all that is necessary.

Internal parasite problems require examination of blood and feces. Microscopic examination is usually necessary.

Amebiasis:
Eating contaminated food and water containing the infective stage of this parasite infects snakes and causes extensive damage to the intestinal lining and liver. Signs include listlessness, loss of appetite, and foul-smelling feces containing mucus and blood.

Trichomoniasis:
This organism is often noted in the stools of snakes. Infection may result from ingestion of mice and rats, both of which often harbour the parasite without showing signs of illness. Symptoms can be loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Snake Mite Infestation:
Snake mites are tiny spider-like organisms that reside on and between the scales of snakes and around their eyes. They are relatively easy to see with the unaided eye. Originate in unhygienic conditions.

Snake Tick Infestation:
Ticks resemble oversized mites and occupy many of the same sites on the skin and scales of snakes as mites. They are often found just inside the mouth, nostrils or vent. Manual removal of each individual tick is the most expedient treatment. Exercise great care in performing this task because simply pulling off the tick leaves the tick's mouth parts embedded in the skin. A small amount of alcohol applied to the exposed parts of the tick causes it to relax and facilitates removal.

For more detailed information on health issues relating to reptiles you can visit:

Animal Hospitals-USA

In all cases where symptoms persist, veterinary help is recommended for the safety and health of your pet.