Read! Snake checks

[dragon ranch]

I was just thinking that there should be a post of all the checks you should do on your snakes to ensure they are of good health especially when purchasing a Snake.

This has being compiled by myself and other users on the forum, hopefully it will be for some use and always looking for other people to contribute.

After a Shed
- Check all the shed has come off especially at the end of the tail, this can be treated with a warm bath.
- Check that the eye caps have come off. If not try and remove using a warm bath.


External checks
- Check the Snake for tiny black dots, usually mites which can be treated with mite treatment. Black dots can also be found in the bottom of the water bowl. More info.
- Check for red marks and lumps, this can be Blister disease. More info
- Check the spine and the sides. These should be free from kinks and depressions (concave depressions can indicate broken ribs which could lead to future problems).
- Also check for any general wounds or dirt to treat such as round the vent area.

Internal checks
- Check that the mouth is clean and no signs of mouth rot. You can open the mouth but it is not advisable unless you know what you are doing. You can get a vet to do this or try to look into the snakes mouth when it eats or yawns. Small cases can be treated with mouth rot treatment or a trip to the vets for more serious cases. Useful video

Others
- IBD (Inclusion Body Disease) - Snake is looking up 'star gazing and apears to have little control. There is currently no treatment. More info
- RTI (Respiratory Tract Infection) - Usually struggles to breathe, mouth open, also loss of appetite. See a vet for treatment, changing the enviroment helps such as temperature and ventilation. More info

General checks
- Check that the snake is active and alert, raises it's head and flicks it's tongue.
- Learn the snakes behavior and habits, problems can be spotted through a change in behavior.
- Check temperature.
- Check for excrement
- Check and change wet substrate
- Check that behaviour is appropriate for the time of day. Nocturnal snake out during the day. Nocturnal snake in it's hide at night etc.

- Input so far from
Dragon Ranch
Corn-Znake-Neil
rachel132002
gregmonsta
MontyPython
Snickers
wildlifewarrior

[Draven]

Nicely done!
This will help a lot of people so well done!

Draven

[markhill]

Originally Posted by dragon ranch

I was just thinking that there should be a post of all the checks you should do on your snakes to ensure they are of good health especially when purchasing a Snake.

This has being compiled by myself and other users on the forum, hopefully it will be for some use and always looking for other people to contribute.

After a Shed
- Check all the shed has come off especially at the end of the tail, this can be treated with a warm bath.
- Check that the eye caps have come off. If not try and remove using a warm bath.


External checks
- Check the Snake for tiny black dots, usually mites which can be treated with mite treatment. Black dots can also be found in the bottom of the water bowl. More info.
- Check for red marks and lumps, this can be Blister disease. More info
- Check the spine and the sides. These should be free from kinks and depressions (concave depressions can indicate broken ribs which could lead to future problems).
- Also check for any general wounds or dirt to treat such as round the vent area.

Internal checks
- Check that the mouth is clean and no signs of mouth rot. You can open the mouth but it is not advisable unless you know what you are doing. You can get a vet to do this or try to look into the snakes mouth when it eats or yawns. Small cases can be treated with mouth rot treatment or a trip to the vets for more serious cases. Useful video

Others
- IBD (Inclusion Body Disease) - Snake is looking up 'star gazing and apears to have little control. There is currently no treatment. More info
- RTI (Respiratory Tract Infection) - Usually struggles to breathe, mouth open, also loss of appetite. See a vet for treatment, changing the enviroment helps such as temperature and ventilation. More info

General checks
- Check that the snake is active and alert, raises it's head and flicks it's tongue.
- Learn the snakes behavior and habits, problems can be spotted through a change in behavior.
- Check temperature.
- Check for excrement
- Check and change wet substrate
- Check that behaviour is appropriate for the time of day. Nocturnal snake out during the day. Nocturnal snake in it's hide at night etc.

- Input so far from
Dragon Ranch
Corn-Znake-Neil
rachel132002
gregmonsta
MontyPython
Snickers
wildlifewarrior

should be diurnal

also check mouth for mucus, and mouth should be closed, open mouth breating can be signs of RI

[paulds]

A popping sound when breathing is another sign of an RI.

If aimed at new buyers, try and get a record of feeds and sheds.

Clever post

[Pyro]

What about checking the skin does not stay folded after they straighten out. This can be a sign of dehydration.

[markhill]

Originally Posted by Pyro

What about checking the skin does not stay folded after they straighten out. This can be a sign of dehydration.

as is dented eyes