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Snakes
/content/chapter/10.22233/9781905319909.chap16
- Home
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- BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets
- Chapter
Snakes
- Author: Paul Raiti
- From: BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets
- Item: Chapter 16, pp 294 - 315
- DOI: 10.22233/9781905319909.16
- Copyright: © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
- Publication Date: January 2010
Abstract
This chapter provides the need-to-know information on snakes:
- Biology
- Husbandry
- Handling and restraint
- Diagnostic approach
- Common conditions
- Supportive care
- Anaesthesia and analgesia
- Common surgical procedures
- Euthanasia
- Drug formulary.
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/content/chapter/10.22233/9781905319909.chap16
Figures
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16.1
Commonly kept pet snakes. (a) Boa constrictor. (b) Green tree python. (c) Eastern garter snake. (Courtesy of J. Chuzi.) © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.1
Commonly kept pet snakes. (a) Boa constrictor. (b) Green tree python. (c) Eastern garter snake. (Courtesy of J. Chuzi.)
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16.3
Probing depth in this male Asian ratsnake is 10 ventral scales (*). © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.3
Probing depth in this male Asian ratsnake is 10 ventral scales (*).
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16.4
A vivarium suitable for a ground-dwelling snake. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.4
A vivarium suitable for a ground-dwelling snake. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.
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16.5
Normal appearance of spectacle prior to shedding in a Persian ratsnake. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.5
Normal appearance of spectacle prior to shedding in a Persian ratsnake.
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16.6
The preferred method for handling a snake is to control the head, whilst supporting its bodyweight. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.6
The preferred method for handling a snake is to control the head, whilst supporting its bodyweight.
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16.8
Right lateral radiographs of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of a common boa. (a) 1 = Trachea; 2 = Heart; 3 = Lung; 4 = Spine and ribs. (b) X = Air sac. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.)
© 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.8
Right lateral radiographs of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of a common boa. (a) 1 = Trachea; 2 = Heart; 3 = Lung; 4 = Spine and ribs. (b) X = Air sac. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.)
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16.9
DV radiograph of a gravid grey-banded kingsnake with three eggs. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.9
DV radiograph of a gravid grey-banded kingsnake with three eggs.
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16.10
DV radiograph of vertebral osteomyelitis in a kingsnake. Note the combination of proliferative and osteolytic changes of the spine. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.10
DV radiograph of vertebral osteomyelitis in a kingsnake. Note the combination of proliferative and osteolytic changes of the spine.
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16.11
Right lateral radiograph of LRI disease in a Burmese python. X = Loculated pockets of exudates in the air sac. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.) © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.11
Right lateral radiograph of LRI disease in a Burmese python. X = Loculated pockets of exudates in the air sac. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.)
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16.12
(a) Right lateral radiograph of a juvenile corn snake with an intussusception at the ileocolic junction (1) secondary to nematodiasis. Barium was administered in a retrograde fashion via the cloaca (2) and only a scant amount advanced beyond the obstruction. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.) (b) Necropsy, demonstrating telescoping of the ileum (1) into colon (2). © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.12
(a) Right lateral radiograph of a juvenile corn snake with an intussusception at the ileocolic junction (1) secondary to nematodiasis. Barium was administered in a retrograde fashion via the cloaca (2) and only a scant amount advanced beyond the obstruction. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.) (b) Necropsy, demonstrating telescoping of the ileum (1) into colon (2).
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16.13
Echocardiogram (B-mode, right long-axis view) of a normal indigo snake. AO = Right aorta; PA = Pulmonary artery; PVC = Posterior vena cava; RA = Right atrium; VC = Ventricular chamber. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.13
Echocardiogram (B-mode, right long-axis view) of a normal indigo snake. AO = Right aorta; PA = Pulmonary artery; PVC = Posterior vena cava; RA = Right atrium; VC = Ventricular chamber.
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16.14
Ultrasonogram of developing follicles in a Solomon Island boa. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.14
Ultrasonogram of developing follicles in a Solomon Island boa.
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16.15
Cloacoscopy demonstrating appearance of coprodeum and junction with rectum in a green tree python after reduction of a prolapsed cloaca. Inflammatory debris is visible at the 10 o’clock position. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.15
Cloacoscopy demonstrating appearance of coprodeum and junction with rectum in a green tree python after reduction of a prolapsed cloaca. Inflammatory debris is visible at the 10 o’clock position.
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16.16
Restraint with transparent plastic tubes is useful for blood collection and radiography. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.16
Restraint with transparent plastic tubes is useful for blood collection and radiography.
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16.17
Venepuncture of the ventral coccygeal vein in a milk snake. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.) © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.17
Venepuncture of the ventral coccygeal vein in a milk snake. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.)
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16.20
Paralysis and loss of righting reflex in an Amazon tree boa with IBD. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.20
Paralysis and loss of righting reflex in an Amazon tree boa with IBD.
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16.21
(a) Fungal dermatitis in an Asian ratsnake with CANV infection. (b) The section of skin has an overlying crust of cell debris, keratin and serum, supporting fungal hyphae (arrowheads). H&E stain; original magnification x40. (Courtesy of D. Reavill.) © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.21
(a) Fungal dermatitis in an Asian ratsnake with CANV infection. (b) The section of skin has an overlying crust of cell debris, keratin and serum, supporting fungal hyphae (arrowheads). H&E stain; original magnification x40. (Courtesy of D. Reavill.)
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16.22
A tick attached to the interscalar skin on a royal python. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.) © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.22
A tick attached to the interscalar skin on a royal python. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.)
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16.23
(a) Embryonated Kalicephalus ovum from an Asian ratsnake (b) Trematode fluke egg from an Asian ratsnake Note the single operculum. (c)
Isospora oocysts from a green trinket snake. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.23
(a) Embryonated Kalicephalus ovum from an Asian ratsnake (b) Trematode fluke egg from an Asian ratsnake Note the single operculum. (c)
Isospora oocysts from a green trinket snake.
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16.24
DV radiograph of the skull of a boa constrictor with osteomyelitis of the rostral aspect of the left maxilla. Note the osteolysis and associated soft tissue swelling. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.24
DV radiograph of the skull of a boa constrictor with osteomyelitis of the rostral aspect of the left maxilla. Note the osteolysis and associated soft tissue swelling.
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16.25
Right lateral radiograph of a constipated Burmese python that had been maintained at suboptimal temperatures. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.) © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.25
Right lateral radiograph of a constipated Burmese python that had been maintained at suboptimal temperatures. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.)
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16.26
Cloacal prolapse in an emerald tree boa. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.26
Cloacal prolapse in an emerald tree boa.
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16.27
(a) Hypopyon and cellulitis in a green tree python. Note the opaque appearance of the spectacle. (b) Flushing of subspectacular space with sterile saline in an anaesthetized green tree python. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.27
(a) Hypopyon and cellulitis in a green tree python. Note the opaque appearance of the spectacle. (b) Flushing of subspectacular space with sterile saline in an anaesthetized green tree python.
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16.28
Transcutaneous aspiration of a retained egg in a pine snake. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.28
Transcutaneous aspiration of a retained egg in a pine snake.
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16.29
Prolapsed hemipenis in a boa constrictor. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.) © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.29
Prolapsed hemipenis in a boa constrictor. (Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, 2nd edition.)
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16.30
(a) Second-degree burns on a royal python. (b) The healing skin is visible during shedding. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.30
(a) Second-degree burns on a royal python. (b) The healing skin is visible during shedding.
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16.31
Drainage of exudate from an infected musk gland in an indigo snake. The tail is to the left. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.31
Drainage of exudate from an infected musk gland in an indigo snake. The tail is to the left.
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16.32
(a) Subcutaneous mass on a trinket snake. (b) Cytology of a needle aspirate demonstrating lymphoblasts. New methylene blue stain; original magnification x100 with oil immersion. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.32
(a) Subcutaneous mass on a trinket snake. (b) Cytology of a needle aspirate demonstrating lymphoblasts. New methylene blue stain; original magnification x100 with oil immersion.
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16.33
Intubated garter snake, connected to a mechanical ventilator which is utilizing isoflurane and oxygen. Note the circulating warm water pad beneath the snake. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.33
Intubated garter snake, connected to a mechanical ventilator which is utilizing isoflurane and oxygen. Note the circulating warm water pad beneath the snake.
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16.34
(a) A carbon dioxide laser has been used to incise the skin, muscle and oviduct to expose the retained eggs in a 100 flower ratsnake. Note the absence of haemorrhage when using the laser. (b) An exposed egg is gently lifted from the oviduct. © 2010 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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16.34
(a) A carbon dioxide laser has been used to incise the skin, muscle and oviduct to expose the retained eggs in a 100 flower ratsnake. Note the absence of haemorrhage when using the laser. (b) An exposed egg is gently lifted from the oviduct.