Snakes are a popular pet among reptile lovers, but they do require specialized knowledge to be a responsible owner. Knowing the signs of illness is especially important to keep your snake living a long, happy life. Most don't observe their snake on a regular basis throughout the day, but this is an important to help recognize when there something is abnormal, whether behaviorally or medically. When you know what's normal, you will see abnormal issues more quickly.
How to Know If Your Pet Snake Is Dying
One of the difficulties with snakes is that they're generally quiet, slow-moving animals that don't display emotions or signs of pain like a dog or cat would. They also tend to not show symptoms for a long time. By the time you notice your snake is not feeling well, they could be seriously ill and close to dying. Practicing good husbandry by observing your snake's behavior, feeding habits, and overall condition includes knowing the common signs your snake is dying.
Unusual Posture and Movement
If your snake cannot move normally, such as being unable to get into position if moved onto their backs, they may have Inclusion Body Disease (IBD), which is a fatal condition. Snakes with IBD will also "stargaze," which means they stare upwards for unusual periods of time. If your snake will not, or cannot, move at all, they need immediate medical assistance.
Scale Condition and Swelling
The condition of the snake's scales and body are key indicators of health problems.
- For example, snakes with an infection, such as sepsis, will have scales on their bellies that appear red or pink and inflamed. You may also see tiny "blisters" on their bellies.
- Snakes suffering from a mite infestation will have scales that appear "bumpy." You may also see the mites on the snake, particularly around their head area.
- Snakes with infectious stomatitis, also known as mouth rot, will have swelling and redness around their mouth and also in their gums.
- Snakes with an infection of cryptosporidiosis will have a swelling around the midsection of their long bodies.
- Female snakes suffering from egg binding, which means her eggs are stuck, will show swelling around the back area of their length.
Breathing Problems
If your snake is breathing with their mouth open and appears to be straining to breathe, they may have a serious respiratory infection or suffer from mouth rot. Parasitic infections can also interfere with a snake's breathing. If you hear wheezing, gasping, or gurgling coming from your snake, this most likely is a respiratory infection that requires medical intervention right away.
Discharges
Any signs of an unusual discharge from the snake's body are a cause for immediate concern. Usually, you will see these around the snake's mouth, nostrils, or eyes, and it may appear as a leaky discharge or "bubbling." Snakes suffering from mouth rot will have a pus-like discharge in their mouths that has been described as having the consistency of "cottage cheese."
Lack of Appetite and Weight Loss
It's not unusual for a snake to refuse food from time to time, but if your snake has not eaten for weeks, this is a sign they could be very ill. Another sign that goes along with refusal to eat is weight loss, which can be seen if the snake's spine becomes more visible, especially along the front half of the snake's length. Lack of appetite should be judged based on your type of snake and their age and size, as snakes can have normal feeding schedules that range from every few days to every other week to two weeks.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a sign common with many serious illnesses. To tell if your snake is dehydrated, look at the condition of their eyes. A normal snake's eyes should be bright and clear, whereas a dehydrated snake will have cloudy, sunken eyes. You may also see stuck shed on a dehydrated snake, which is skin that they have not been able to shed successfully on their own. A dehydrated snake will also have unusual saliva that is stringy.
Problems With Feces
You should also check to ensure your snake is passing their feces normally. If you notice that the feces are watery or is an unusual color like red, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Lethargy
If your snake doesn't move much or at all, and doesn't engage in their normal daily routine, they can be very ill. It's normal for snakes to hide, so it may be difficult to tell the difference if you're new to keeping snakes.
- One way to tell is by attempting to pick the snake up. Depending on the type of snake, they will move in a certain way when you handle them, such as balling up for ball pythons. A sick snake will do nothing and may just hang weakly.
- Another way to tell is simply through regular observance of your snake. Since hiding is normal for many species, keep track of when your snake is hiding and when they hide on a normal basis so you can judge when hiding time becomes unusually long.
- Note also that with lethargy, this may be simply a sign that you are not providing them with enough heat, so check your snake's habitat first to rule out temperature as a cause.
Know the Signs of a Dying Snake
If you're unsure about how to care for your new pet snake, talk to your veterinarian about the common illnesses that affect snakes and how to notice the signs. Because it's very common for snakes to be sick and slowly dying for a long time before you realize it, it's important to practice proper snake husbandry and be able to recognize the subtle signs something is wrong as soon as possible. You should also be sure to have identified an exotic veterinary specialist in your area, so you have someone to call once you notice a problem.
