Unhealthy mock viper

[HMS Terrapin]

Hi,
I bought a mock viper online recently and it came to my house with a sort of white abcess on its head. Does anyone know what the problem is and how to treat it?
Thanks,

[Aaron_S]

Take it to a vet who handles not only exotics/snakes but venomous as well.

[pet_snake_78]

Just curious but what are you feeding it and did it ship from inside usa or outside?

[SSSSnakes]

What state are you in? Where did you get it from? Was it w/c or c/b? It needs a vet.

[HMS Terrapin]

I think I inaccuracately described the mark on his head as an abcess. I talked to the seller and he says that it is a scar that was on the snake when he got it as and has been healing up. He took it to the vet to when he first saw the scar to ensure it was healthy. I live in CA if I ever have to take this guy to the vet do I have to find someone who specializes in venomous. This is rear fanged, not an actual viper species.

[HMS Terrapin]

I found out from the seller that the mark is just a scar. I am looking now and it is totally different from an abcess. I have been given proof that the snake is healing and I believe it is healthy. It was from inside the US and has been here for a long time. I'm feeding live Lizards and trying to get it to take mosquito fish.

[SSSSnakes]

I found out from the seller that the mark is just a scar. I am looking now and it is totally different from an abcess. I have been given proof that the snake is healing and I believe it is healthy. It was from inside the US and has been here for a long time. I'm feeding live Lizards and trying to get it to take mosquito fish.

If it's only a scar and he is eating for you, I would not worry about him. If you have to take him to a vet, you may find it hard to find a vet that will work with venomous, even rear fanged.

[pet_snake_78]

Glad to hear it sounds OK. They are a really cool species not too commonly kept, good pickup despite the need to feed lizards (id have more lizard eaters if I lived in FL and could catch my own).

[HMS Terrapin]

Actually California works great for lizard feeders. We have domes down in the southern parts. Do vets actually not work with rear fanged, I assumed it would be similar to bringing a hognose or the like?

[SSSSnakes]

Actually California works great for lizard feeders. We have domes down in the southern parts. Do vets actually not work with rear fanged, I assumed it would be similar to bringing a hognose or the like?

It depends on the rear fanged snake. Some rear fanged snakes can have a nasty bite. Some vets don't even want to work on snakes.

[pet_snake_78]

You'd have to ask, my local exotics vet is fine with rear fanged but everything I have is not dangerous to humans. Mock viper is not a dangerously venomous snake so I would be surprised if it is an issue unless the vet is really paranoid.

[Aaron_S]

You'd have to ask, my local exotics vet is fine with rear fanged but everything I have is not dangerous to humans. Mock viper is not a dangerously venomous snake so I would be surprised if it is an issue unless the vet is really paranoid.

Total side thought, I wonder if a vet would turn it down in general due to some insurance issues they could/might have? Maybe they aren't covered for such things and I guess when it comes down to it would it be considered venomous ragardless of the potency of the venom? I'm assuming the insurance company would try to use it as a reason to avoid anything SHOULD anything come up.

(Like the snake dying during a procedure and the owner suing, etc. Not really in this case but in a general case)

[pet_snake_78]

Never use the word venomous around anyone who isn't a long time snake keeper is my advice, use rear-fanged, toxic salivia, whatever you want but the minute you say venomous you'll have issues with front desk types before you even get to the vet. If you really feel you have to say it, say mildly venomous unless it is a hazard level 1 rear fanged snake (those that have caused documented severe or fatal consequences). The more people run around calling garter snakes, hognose, etc, venomous, even if technically true, the more you're going to see the public get freaked out because they don't care for long winded explanations, venomous = ban it, kill it, get rid of it from the face of earth if possible -- no exceptions.

[HMS Terrapin]

I have a new problem

[HMS Terrapin]

It seems like my snake has gone blind, both eyes are slightly cloudy and the snake doesn't react when I test it's eyes. I would say it was shedding except I was told that this species doesn't go blue eyed before sheds. Is this a problem or is it still likely just shedding?

[Scubadiver59]

Do the scales look dull? Most snakes look shiny, almost wet, when not in shed, but the scales will look "dull" when in shed. If this is the case, your snake is in shed.

Mind you, I'm not an expert, but I've never heard of any animal "suddenly" going blind, or opaque, overnight...it would be more gradual. Whomever told you that your snake doesn't go "blue", was blowing smoke up your <fill in the blank> since all snakes and lizards shed though not in one always piece. Even turtles shed skin, jut not their shell.


It seems like my snake has gone blind, both eyes are slightly cloudy and the snake doesn't react when I test it's eyes. I would say it was shedding except I was told that this species doesn't go blue eyed before sheds. Is this a problem or is it still likely just shedding?

[Aaron_S]

It seems like my snake has gone blind, both eyes are slightly cloudy and the snake doesn't react when I test it's eyes. I would say it was shedding except I was told that this species doesn't go blue eyed before sheds. Is this a problem or is it still likely just shedding?

Likely shedding.

[HMS Terrapin]

Hi I've got an update: the mock vipers eyes are now both opaque white, this seems like normal shedding behavior except the snake has been like this for a while. I haven't fed her in maybe 3 weeks. I saw her on the ground limp today and picked her up. It seemed like she ate some coconut husk so I used a tweezer to pick it out of her mouth. I picked her up and she was very limp- she mostly moved her tail and made no motion towards moving her head. I felt along her and although she looks quite thin at the top I felt two or three round bumps at the bottom- she was sold to me a possibly gravid so they might be eggs. What is causing her behavior? How can I help her shed quickly. Is this normal behavior or do I need to get her to the vet quickly?

[Scubadiver59]

Read the other thread about the female passing...sorry about your loss! :sorry:

My Anthill Python dropped a clutch right before I received her--good thing since I have no experience or enclosure for eggs--and she dropped an infertile "jelly bean" egg just after I got her. I guess I got lucky.