First Find Of The Season

[Derek1]

Thanks for all the reclassification info FWK. And no. I will not be keeping the Water Snake lol. I took a couple pics and he was released at the same spot. The mild anticoagulant make sense as I was half bite last year and bleed like a stuck pig on my thumb by a much smaller one. Didn't even feel the bite.

I've been catching snakes for years but just recently got into keeping more seriously. I really need to read up on mites and parasites and what not as some of you have stated in this thread. Any help/thread links is appreciated.

Also the Rat I originally posted just had her 2nd meal. Large pinky this time and she hammered it down and there is a noticeable lump. Haven't handled her yet, but got a simi good measurement as she was sprawled out along the enclosure. 13" +/- with a pretty skinny body. She's cool as hell. I have her in a large critter cage. 5-8 gallon or so right now with 2 hides and she seem secure.

[FWK]

Originally Posted by Derek1

She's cool as hell.

This made me smile.

I would be very careful about medicating for parasites, this is a very small animal and renal failure is no joke. Your best bet is to have fecals run by a vet so you know exactly what you are dealing with, what to dose and how much to dose. As Albert mentioned, Panacur is the go-to de-wormer (usually sold under the name Safeguard). Here is a link to an article with instructions on medicating and a formula for calculating dosage. You will need a scale to weigh the snake and a syringe to inject the medication into the mouse.

[Derek1]

The closest herp vet I found online is about 45 miles away. Is there an easier way to have fecal checked? Like shipping it somewhere, if that's possible.

[FWK]

As far as I know the sample needs to be as fresh as possible, I don't know if shipping will be fast enough. Maybe the vet can work something out for you, call them and see what they say.