View Full Version : Sick California King Snake
Hello! This is my first post on the forums...however the only reason I am here is out of desperation. My 14 year old California King snake is sick and there are no reptile veterinarians in my area.
Ok, so this started about two months ago...she has a rather large lump at the end of her tail. I think it may be constipation but I am really not sure. She has been to a veterinarian but they do not specialize in reptiles. They did x-rays to make sure she wasn't egg bound. They gave me these drops to put in her water to bring the swelling down. We asked someone else who has snakes and they suggested to put her in a container full of warm for a couple of days. This did not work. Now a new issue has appeared. She has started to have muscle spasms up near her head. Please help!
infernalis
05-20-10, 09:17 AM
http://www.thamfriends.com/mat.jpg
The last time I saw anything like that it was one of my snakes that was very old.
Hopefully someone here has some solid information to give.
Will0W783
05-20-10, 09:20 AM
I would say the swelling sounds like constipation or a tumor. Sometimes you can give them a tad of vegetable oil to help pass a stool but since it's been two months, I would say an emergency vet visit is in order. If it is constipation, and it's lasted this long, the snake may be having some toxicity problems from it. But it also may very well be a tumor, in which case again a vet visit is the only way. Are there any reptile vets within an hour or two's drive? You might have to travel a ways, but perhaps you could find one? Or any reptile breeders in your area that you could call that might have experience with elderly snakes?
emseeKAY
05-20-10, 09:39 AM
where abouts are you in canada? if you're in or around toronto there is a herp vet at Cavan Hills close to peterborough, ontario, but i'm sure there is at least one in your nearest city. I hope you find some help soon! good luck!
shaunyboy
05-20-10, 09:52 AM
I would say the swelling sounds like constipation or a tumor. Sometimes you can give them a tad of vegetable oil to help pass a stool but since it's been two months, I would say an emergency vet visit is in order. If it is constipation, and it's lasted this long, the snake may be having some toxicity problems from it. But it also may very well be a tumor, in which case again a vet visit is the only way. Are there any reptile vets within an hour or two's drive? You might have to travel a ways, but perhaps you could find one? Or any reptile breeders in your area that you could call that might have experience with elderly snakes?
willows pretty much covered it.its the muscle spasms thats worrying me.
i'm away to look through all my snake books.will post if i find anything related to your case.
shaunyboy
05-20-10, 10:13 AM
nothings jumpimg out at me.
re tumours they can cause weight loss because the substances they sometimes produce can inhibit feeding and change the snakes metabolism.
is your snake still eating,as theres things you can do with food items that will help constipation.
have you any pictures of the lump in your snake ?
i wish you the best of luck in getting this sorted out.
cheers shaun
There are really no reptile vets within 2 hours distance...I have called around. I do have some pics. She won't eat and she is barely moving today.
I think you're going to have to bite the bullet and drive to the nearest reptile vet. I know it's not what you want to hear, but you need to make a decision as to what's more important to you; the life of your snake or the hassle of driving two hours.
It would be further than two hours...I'm thinking maybe a day or two to drive to a city that has a reptile vet. Also, I don't have the transportation to get myself there, much less the funds for an operation.
Leslie Jean McGregor
Critter Care Veterinary Hospital
190 King St
Frederickon, New Brunswick.
E3B 1C9
Phone: (506) 454-2273
Fax: (506) 458-2716
Listed as a reptile vet in fredericton, NB
Also in NB
TW Larder
Appleby Animal Clinic
545 Appleby St
Bathhurst, New Brunswick
E2A 3L3
506-547-8984
Moncton Animal Clinic
Moncton, New Brunswick
E1C 2R3
506-857-4271
If the snake needs surgery to recover, you're not doing it or yourself any good by sticking your head in the sand. Right now, your options are "watching the snake die a horrible death" or "Hoping it magically heals itself." Even if it turns out your snake needs surgery to live, at least you know even if you can't afford the surgery. Your snake isn't eating? isn't defecating? Is starting to have spasms? That will be a horrible slow death with no intervention.
We've called these places, they don't do them anymore. I wouldn't have come here asking for help if I hadn't already tried everything else. This was my last resort.
infernalis
05-21-10, 07:15 AM
I wouldn't have come here asking for help if I hadn't already tried everything else. This was my last resort.
I truly wish there was some magical way to heal your snake through words, but unfortunately that just is not possible.
Please don't take this wrong or think it's being mean in any way, but perhaps the most humane thing to do would be to say your final farewell and euthanize your long time friend.
I have had to do this to some of my snakes, it's sad but I had to show my final act of love and release them from the suffering.
The easiest and most humane way is to place the snake into a shoe box type poly tote box and set it into the refrigerator for a few hours first, This will slow your snakes metabolism down to a near hibernation status, then slip the box into your freezer overnight.
The snake will simply go to sleep and pass away as it freezes solid.
It's not an easy thing to do, it sucks, but sometimes it's for the best.
Good luck.
Will0W783
05-21-10, 09:24 AM
Wouldn't freezing to death be painful for them?
infernalis
05-21-10, 09:34 AM
That's why I put them in the refrigerator first, they slow down to a "hibernation like" state, then as the freezer cools them more, they shut down completely.
It's a well known method of euthanizing reptiles.
Since they are cold blooded they don't suffer the same as a mammal would.
shaunyboy
05-21-10, 09:43 AM
i am really sorry to have to say this but im with wayne as far as your snake needs to be put out its misery.if there are vets in your area they will do it for you.it does not have to be a reptile vet any vet can do the procedure for you.
cheers shaun
Will0W783
05-21-10, 10:35 AM
Ah ok, makes sense. The only time I had to euthanize a reptile, I just took him to my vet. Tara, sadly, after seeing the pictures of your snake, I have to say I'm with Wayne and Shaun as well. If it is constipation going on for that long, there's likely to be kidney and bowel permanent damage at this point and the spasms point to some form of toxicosis which is hard for them to come back from. At 14 years, he has had a good life. I know it's hard but you have to do what is best for your animal. I am facing possibly having to euthanize a hypo boa with kidney disease myself. I'm working with my vet to see if we can pull him through it, but there are so many ups and downs I don't know how much more I can ask him to go through.
shaunyboy
05-21-10, 11:50 AM
i'm in the same situation with my jaguar willow.hes been through so much crap this last 9 month.i really thought the swabs from his lung would provide the answer.they came back as clear,no bacteria could be cultured.something is irratating his lung into producing lots of mucas.the vet and i are still trying to get to the bottom of it.he lost loads of weight but is now back up to his usual size.he sheds,eats and poo's perfect.its so frustrating...!!
i would not hesitate to euthanise if its quality of life gets to the point its living in pain or suffering.imo its the best thing to do.
cheers shaun
Lankyrob
05-21-10, 04:13 PM
I think humane euthanasia is much more "painful" for us than it is for the animals but sometimes the best decisions are the hardest to make.
We've called these places, they don't do them anymore. I wouldn't have come here asking for help if I hadn't already tried everything else. This was my last resort.
Tara,
I know its hard to come someplace for help and feel as though the answers you are getting aren't what you want to hear.
The scope of what is going on with your snake is beyond the help of any forum of reptile lovers. The spasms, the lack of defecation, and the lack of funds even if you could get the snake to the vet leaves you with very few options.
While its hard to think of, often it is the snakes best option and in his best interest to stop the suffering it must be undergoing with those symptoms. I'm so sorry to even say it, but it may be the best thing you can do out of love, and really caring for your Kingsnake.
Whatever you choose to do, I wish you peace with that decision.
Bree
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