Snakes get colds?

1sttimesnakeowner · #1 (**permalink**) 11-11-2002, 08:13 AM

Hi guys!
One thing is forsure, I should change my name. Another Corn followed me home last friday night. I am up to 4 now. Lillie my redtail and 3 Corns 2 males one female.

Now my question. What to do with a snake that seems to have a cold. Nothing coming from his mouth or nose. Just a short faint clicking noise every few secs. I called the guy I bought him from. He told me to keep him under 90 on the warm side of the cage. Within a week if he doesnt seem any better to bring him in and he would have his vet look at him no cost to me. She is very sweet and is great with the other 2 corns, though I have her in a smaller den with the black light on her reaching about 90 on the warm side. She is Very active..

Does this sound right?

When I 1st logged on to this site people told me I would get more. I of corse said no. Even hubby like all our babys.

We now have 3 dogs 2 cats a bird 4 snakes! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

And we were thinking about having a kid! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]

I am not so sure now.

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1sttimesnakeowner · #2 (**permalink**) 11-11-2002, 08:14 AM

When I say she, I mean he.... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] sorry.
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JuliusSqueezer · #3 (**permalink**) 11-11-2002, 10:47 AM

You have a clicking cornsnake? Odd. I don't think I have ever seen a corn catch a cold or RI....I suppose it is possible though. He's OK with the other corns? If ya think he is sick...he really doesn't need to be around the other corns. Sick or not sick....90 degrees is too warm for a cornsnake. Especially a baby. Are you sure he isn't about to shed and his nostrils are clogged? How big is this snake? any other symptoms? any hacking or snot blowing?
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1sttimesnakeowner · #4 (**permalink**) 11-11-2002, 07:46 PM

I have had him away from the other snakes do over a day now. Before I thought he was sick I had him in with the other two snakes. He did fine. In fact he took up with the female. How warm should the warm side of the cage be? I looked at his eyes, he may indeed be getting ready to shed. He's just a little over a foot.

No hacking or snot blowing. At least I havent seen any. This morning it looks he may be going into a bad shed. Meaning parts of his shin looks like its coming loose, or he may be dehydrated.

I am going to call the guy today and see if I can bring him in.
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KuhnDog · #5 (**permalink**) 11-11-2002, 07:59 PM

Ok, I guess my question would fall into this category...
The other night I took my Red Tail out (a little over a year old). Anyway, I noticed that she was "drooling" -alot. She looked fine before I picked her up, but then a clear liquid started pouring out of her mouth. I did notice that her tongue was still flickering though. Anyway, it definately looked like drool, as it was kind of dripping/dangling from her mouth. Do you think this could be due to her drinking a bunch of water just prior to me handling her? She has looked fine since then (Sat. night), and has been relatively active (in her tank) . Has anyone ever had this happen? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
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eddie · #6 (**permalink**) 11-11-2002, 08:04 PM

Oh yeah Kuhndog!
Snakes that have just finished drinking will leak when handled.
It can be worrisome to new owners at times especially when never seen before.

But if you saw it drinking prior to handling, then not much to worry about.

If you didn't see it drinking, then look for other signs BEFORE assuming it's an RI, signs like excess saliva, bubble blowing, hacking, head up a lot to breathe easier, whistling or clicking etc...
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KuhnDog · #7 (**permalink**) 11-11-2002, 08:16 PM

Thanks Eddie. No, I didn't see her drinking before-hand. -just kinda hoping that could cause it.
I'll handle her for a while tonight and look for any of the symptoms you pointed out.
--Man, I think it's been over a year since I've been on RTB!

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Kim · #8 (**permalink**) 11-11-2002, 10:07 PM

Your corn snakes need to be seen by a vet right away. The symptoms you describe---clicking and this strange shed-- are something that I experienced with a collection of corn snakes last year. They all died.

The shed was the strangest part. At first it looked like a bad shed, but then it seemed as if thin pieces of scale were coming up. The snakes became very wrinkly and shiny. It looked liked they were very dehydrated although I had seen them drinking COPIOUS amounts of water (have you noticed that?)

This is a particular problem with a particular name -- although I am sorry , the name escapes me now but I promise you I will find my records and post the name of this problem. For now, separate the snake, DO NOT handle it at all, and make his space absolutley positively stress free. Even hide the cage away from any movement.

90 degrees is too high for a corn snake. Opt for a cooler temp -- gradient between 83 and 72. Bring down to 68-65 at night. Only have a small, focused basking spot at 86-88 that does generate any more heat into the rest of the cage.
I will post the name of the problem as soon as I find it
Kim
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1sttimesnakeowner · #9 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002, 01:04 AM

Please let me know what the name is. I am calling the vet right after getting off the computer. I now hear her sneezing. Only once every so often. Now I am really worried.

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1sttimesnakeowner · #10 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002, 01:11 AM

Just left a mess for the vet to call me. He isnt in the office at this time. Ill email him as well.
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froggystyle34 · #11 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002, 01:43 AM

if the corn snake has a RI you want a high bnasking area, of yes 90 degrees and decrease the size of ther water bowl. i had a king snake get an RI and i did this and in three days it was gone. but i have had some i did this and they needed antibiotics to cure as well, i guess it all depends on when you catch it. but all in all be careful because i hgad a boa die of pnumonia/ severe cold. well anyways get your crons to a vet all of them so they can all be treated and RIs are contagious

froggy
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JuliusSqueezer · #12 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002, 04:59 AM

I don't think the cornsnake has an RI....I think it has blocked nostrils from the upcoming shed.

Dehydration will kill him fairly fast though....soak him in pedialyte right away while waiting to see a vet. Please make sure the vet you are going to is good with reptiles. So many vets out there will say they are when you call because they just want the money and figure they can wing it best they can. If he has been drinking and is still dehydrated....He is either overheated or maybe has parasites. Ask for a small dose of panacure and flagyl. It wont hurt anything if he doesn't have worms but it may save his life if he does and waiting for a stool sample may take too long.

Froggy...this is a baby consnake....90 degrees will cook it.
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JuliusSqueezer · #13 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002, 05:03 AM

oh...Kuhndog...If you are worried about RI...put your snake's side about 1/3-1/4 the way down the body against your ear. You will hear nasty noises when they breath if they have an RI. Drool after drinking is pretty common. If you haven't seen it again a day later....I think you are in the clear.
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1sttimesnakeowner · #14 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002, 05:40 AM

pedialyte? Never thought of that. I reduced the heat as well. I had a chance to meet the vet this weekend whole buying mice. He was there getting rats for his snakes. He said he had one of his corns over 20 years. The guy I buy my snake from says hes one of the best. He is with Mesa Veterinary Hospital which is one of the best here. As I have taken my dogs to them.

Just a sec...I havent checked on him for a few hours. Let me go look at see if hes any better.

Julius Squeezer was RIGHT [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] Not only did he just shed, its all in one peace.

HE IS SO PRETTY, I WISH I COULD POST A PIC. I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. I am going to see if #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& eat. It was feeding day today though I wanted to wait to see the vet

Thanks Julius [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] I was getting very worried about mynew bud! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

Ill Let you know if he eats. If he's anything like the other two #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& have no problem.

Lillie my redtail takes her time. Almost like she thinks she killing her pray 1st. But once its in her month she eats it right up.

I feel so much better knowing it was the shed. I held him for a few sec's no clicking. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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1sttimesnakeowner · #15 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002, 05:49 AM

He didnt waist any time. Done with the whole feeding within a minute. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] or less! Now I just need a name for him. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] as well as the other two.
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JuliusSqueezer · #16 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002, 10:52 AM

cool! glad he's ok.
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1sttimesnakeowner · #17 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002, 02:43 PM

You and I both! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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Kim · #18 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002, 11:59 PM

Christ, I am sorry I scared you. I cannot find the #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& records. But it sounds as if your problem has settled itself. I am SO GLAD to hear it.

It was just the damnest thing to hear you describe the same strange predicament I found myself in. I will still keep searching for the records just to post for FYI but if you've got a good shed there and if the snake has eaten, I 'd say the problem MIGHT be resolved.

I say might only because I would still monitor the snake closely. And I still think it is a good idea to take the snake to a vet, if only because it is newly acquired and it is always good to have an initial check and stool culture done.
Yahoo for the snake and good luck.
Kim
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1sttimesnakeowner · #19 (**permalink**) 11-13-2002, 04:10 AM

Thanks Kim. Please do give me the info when you get it. I need all the education I can get! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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