Common Diseases Within Snakes

Respiratory Infections

• Respiratory infections are very common ailments for captive snakes; infected animals may blow bubbles, wheeze or drool. Most respiratory infections are caused by ubiquitous bacteria in the environment. When the snake̵7;s immune system is taxed because of stress or improper temperatures, it succumbs to infection. Immediate veterinary care is required at the first sign of a respiratory illness, as respiratory illnesses can be lethal very quickly in snakes.

Ticks and Mites

• Ticks are common on imported snakes and can be removed by a veterinarian. Provided the tick is removed correctly, there are generally no long-term problems that arise. Mites afflict captive and wild snakes alike, though by the nature of captivity, mites can build up to plague proportions on captive animals. Mites are irritating to the snake, and they can cause anemia in advanced cases. You must eradicate the mites from not only the snake, but the entire habitat as well. Commercial mite treatments are available, though your veterinarian can also prescribe treatments.

Retained or Incomplete Sheds

• When snakes are dehydrated, exposed to suboptimal humidity levels or under stress, they may have an incomplete shed. The best way to remedy the situation is to let the snake crawl around in a wet bath towel for a few hours. The moisture and gentle friction will help remove the retained skin.

Anorexia

• Some snakes will occasionally refuse food, and this is no cause for concern. Other snakes may repeatedly refuse food over a period of weeks or months. This can be due to a number of factors; sick or stressed snakes often refuse food. Additionally, some snakes insist on difficult-to-acquire foods like frogs or eggs and, unsurprisingly, these snakes may refuse rodents in captivity. When faced with an anorexic snake, first ensure the snake̵7;s cage is set up properly with appropriate temperatures and hiding spaces. If tweaking the snake̵7;s care does not fix the situation, seek veterinary care to be sure the snake does not have an infection or parasite.

Mouth Rot

• Mouth rot, often termed stomatis, is an infection of the mouth of a snake. Mouth rot has a number of causes and presentations, and the term mouth rot refers to the symptoms rather than a specific causal agent. Typically, a husbandry problem, stress or traumatic event -- like striking the cage glass -- causes the problem, but it can develop secondarily to an infection. Treatment consists of remedying the husbandry problem and seeking veterinary assistance for cleaning and treating the mouth with disinfectants or antibacterial agents.

Blister Disease

• When snakes are kept in dirty and damp conditions they may develop small, transparent blisters filled with clear fluid. Caught quickly, snakes will often recover with improved cage hygiene and sometimes a course of antibiotics. If allowed to persist, the bacterial condition is often fatal. Veterinary care is required if numerous blisters are found.

Internal Parasites

• Snakes may suffer from internal parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, flukes and ameobas. Internal parasites may present no symptoms and be sub-pathogenic, but in serious cases, vomiting, weight loss, lethargy and anorexia are the most common symptoms. More common in wild-caught snakes or those fed a fish-, reptile- or amphibian-based diet, internal parasites are usually diagnosed by a veterinarian who examines the snake̵7;s feces for parasite eggs. Afflicted snakes are given medications, which must generally be administered multiple times for complete eradication.