Transcript Basic Care of Snakes in Captivity

Basic Care of Snakes in
Captivity
Dr.A.V.Belsare
B.V.Sc &A.H
Wildlife Protection Act (1972)
Zoos and Rescue Centres
 Non Government Organizations
 Herpetologists
 Scientists
 Sarpmitra
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Interventions
Rescue
 Research
 Documentation
 Treatment
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Ethics of snake handling
Permissions from authorities in writing
 Respect the animal
 Demonstration purpose or exhibition of
ones skills: strict no-no
 Keep stress to a minimum level
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Basic physiology of reptiles
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‘Cold blooded animals’ or Ectotherms
Metabolic rate
‘Wild’ instinct: masking of symptoms
Food chain: all snakes are carnivorous
Stress
Ectotherms
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acquire the majority of their body heat from external
sources.
Physiologic processes such as metabolic rate, digestion,
growth, cardiovascular function, acid-base regulation,
evaporative water loss, reproduction, immune function,
and neuromuscular function are all thermally sensitive.
POTR
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The range of temperatures that a reptile will naturally
stay within in order to regulate it body temperature is
called the preferred optimal temperature range (POTR).
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For most reptiles, the POTR is 80-95°F (27-35°C).
Patients need to be warmed up to their POTR prior to
initiating drug therapy.
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Temperature gradient
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Providing a fixed temperature prohibits a reptile patient
from conducting behavioral thermoregulation, which
leads to stress.
Extremely debilitated snakes, however, may not be able
to successfully thermoregulate. They should be
monitored closely in order to assure that they do not get
too warm or cold. An incubator with a constant
temperature may be more appropriate for these patients.
Stress
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Reptiles are wild animals and perceive stress from visual
stimuli, noise, odors, and handling.
Stress weakens the immune system, allowing
opportunistic bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections to
occur.
Reducing stress
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Provide a warm, dark environment with adequate cover,
away from the perceived threat of potential predators
(e.g., dogs, cats, birds).
Provide visual barriers.
Provide cover at both ends of the thermal gradient so that
the need for cover is not linked to temperature.
Reducing stress
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Physical restraint in nature is usually associated with
death. Minimize handling.
Physical stress (e.g., injections, force feeding) and
psychological stress (e.g., lack of sufficient cover) can
have a significant negative impact on a patient's ability to
recover.
Select treatment regimens that avoid unnecessary
handling. The potential medical benefit of handling and
treatment need to be weighed against the potential for
inducing stress.
Snake diseases in captivity
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Most reptile diseases encountered in captive specimen
are partially or wholly related to faulty housing, feeding
and other management practices
Bite Wounds
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Bites from prey( rodents), dogs, cats, etc.
Do not feed live sub adult or adult prey.
If a reptile does not seize the prey within 10 to 15
minutes, it probably will not eat that day. Such a rodent
might gnaw on the reptile causing wounds.Reptiles do
not kill rodents to prevent further bites, but will lie in the
cage and accept the damage.
Treating Wounds
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Sterile saline to flush wounds
Remove necrotic tissue
Do not suture old and infected wounds
Bandaging of wounds is essential but difficult in
snakes
Special precautions if eyeball, rostrum or tongue
is affected
Treating Wounds
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For the first few days keep the snake in clean
waterproof containers with adequate ventilation.
Line the container with clean towels soaked in
dilute povidone iodine solution.
Change the towel once daily.
During healing keep the snake in bare cages with
no substrate. Newspaper or towel will do.
Treating Wounds
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Topically apply Silver sulphadiazine 1% cream or
Neosporin or Povidone Iodine ointment
Systemic use of Enrofloxacin or Amikacin
Treating Wounds
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Remember to assist shedding( soaking and manual
removal) around the healing wound as the skin may be
shed incompletely
May require 6-10 shedding cycles before the wound
heals completely
Abscesses
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secondary to improper husbandry (e.g., low temperature,
humidity problems, and poor sanitation) and may
originate from cage trauma, bite wounds, or scratches.
Patients are usually presented because of a noticeable
swelling or asymmetry. Overlying skin can be normal to
necrotic.
anorexia or depression may be present.
Abscess
Abscesses
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The abscess should be lanced using aseptic technique.
Aggressive flushing and curettage are necessary in order
to remove all caseated material.
Abscesses should not be sutured closed. Surgical sites
should be flushed with chlorhexidine or povidone iodine,
followed by topical application of 1% silver sulfadiazine,
once or twice daily until fully healed. Systemic
antibiotics are typically indicated. A follow-up
examination is recommended 1-2 weeks following
surgery, and treatment should be continued for at least 21
days.
Dysecdysis
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Due to husbandry and management problems like low
temperature, low humidity, insufficient cage furniture
Even handling during shedding may lead to dysecdysis
The retained patches are prone to infections
Dysecdysis
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Snakes shed in one piece
Young animals on a good diet shed more often
than older or less well-nourished individuals.
Snakes normally shed at least once a month, and
need a rock or similar rough surface to aid in the
process.
Retained shedding, or dysecdysis, is usually a
sign that the environment is too dry.
Dysecdysis
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Affected animals should be soaked in warm water or
misted thoroughly for 10-20 minutes to rehydrate dried
skin. As the skin loosens, gently massage the leading
edge of the skin with a moist cloth in a caudal/distal
direction. Don't be too aggressive or injury could result.
Add povidone iodine to the water if required(1:50)
Put in container with moist towels
Assisted shedding
Retained spectacles
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Retained eye caps are a related problem. The eyelids of
snakes are fused and transparent, forming the spectacle
(eye cap).
Spectacles are normally shed with the skin. If one or both
fail to exfoliate the eye will appear cloudy or wrinkled.
For a snake, the condition is not an emergency but it may
interfere with the animal's vision and its ability or desire
to feed.
Loose eye caps may simply pull off with scotch tape.
Daily application with ophthalmic ointment until the next
shed is another option.
Retained Spectacle
Anorexia in Snakes
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Snakes frequently present for lack of appetite. In some
species this can be considered a normal, seasonal
occurrence.
In others it can be attributed to stress or disease. Often,
no abnormality can be found on physical examination or
fecal testing.
Force feeding in snakes
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May stimulate a snake's appetite.
20-50 cc/kg body weight of canned kitten food mixed
with water (to milkshake consistency): Whiskas canned
cat food
100 mg/kg of metronidazole: Flagyl or Meterogyl
100 mg/kg of fenbendazole: Panacur
Pancreatic enzyme powder, a generous pinch
Psyllium fiber powder (added until the entire mixture
slides around container as a unit)
Tube feed this mixture. Repeat in 14-28 days, as needed.
Respiratory distress
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Mostly due to bacterial pneumonia, but viral, fungal, and
parasitic pneumonias can also occur.
Severe parasitism, sub-optimal temperature or humidity,
poor hygiene, and/or poor nutrition.
Open mouth breathing, puffing of the throat, increased
oral mucous, hissing,whistling or gasping noises,
frequently with head extended and held high.
Exaggerated chest wall excursions may be present.
Symptoms are due to tracheal obstruction due to
exudate.Reptiles lack a diaphragm and cannot cough to
clear such material. They have the ability to use
anaerobic metabolism.
Pneumonia
Bacterial Pneumonia
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Keep the patient at upper end of its ideal temperature
range.
Soak patients 1-2 times daily in warm water. Forced
feeding may be indicated. Always correct the underlying
husbandry problems (usually temperature and humidity).
Atropine 0.2 mg/kg sc to dry up secretions.
Bacterial Pneumonia
Antibiotics that are injectable, bacteriocidal,
and have a Gram-negative spectrum of activity are
preferred:
Ceftazidime 20mg/kg q72h IM, SC
Enrofloxacin 5-10mg/kg q24-48h IM, SC, ICo
Ceftiofur 2.2mg/kg q24-48h IM
Amikacin 3mg/kg q72h IM, SC
External Parasites
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Mites can cause anemia.
Ticks and mites have both been implicated as
vectors for disease.
Olive oil, water-based pyrethrin sprays, and
ivermectin are all used to kill ectoparasites.
Use ivermectin 200mcg/kg IM, SC; repeat at 14 and
28 days.
Fipronil (Frontline Spray) can be used when
treating large collections. The spray is wiped on
with a hand towel, and treatment is repeated twice
at 14 day intervals. Cleanup of the environment is
very important.
Mite
Tick
Internal parasites
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The most common are nematodes. In the wild, many of
these cause no problem. In captivity, however, they may
reach large numbers through autoinfection and
contribute significantly to disease.
fenbendazole 100mg/kg PO: Panacur
ivermectin 200 mcg/kg IM/SC/PO. Repeat dosages twice
at 14 day intervals: Itin
Nematodes
Cestodes
Nematodes
Remember…
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The cage should be thoroughly cleaned after each
treatment.
Infectious Stomatitis or Mouth rot
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Stressful, unsanitary conditions
Sub optimal temperature
Mite infestation
Poor nutrition
Overcrowding
Cage trauma and bites from prey can become infected
Infectious Stomatitis or Mouth rot
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Minor cases exhibit hypersalivation, swelling of the
gums, and petechiation.
Advanced cases may result in loose teeth, bleeding from
the gums, and caseous exudate.
Anorexia commonly occurs, which results in further
immune suppression. If left untreated, osteomyelitis and
pneumonia eventually result.
Infectious Stomatitis or Mouth rot
Infectious Stomatitis or Mouth rot
Infectious Stomatitis or Mouth rot
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Correcting husbandry
Warm the animal's environment to its optimal
temperature
Topical treatment options include chlorhexidine, silver
sulfadiazine cream
Systemic antibiotic therapy directed at Gram-negative
pathogens (amikacin, enrofloxacin, ceftazidime) is
indicated for severe infections.
References
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1. DeNardo DF, How I treat dystocia in snakes, Proceedings of the NAVC, 2004,
1331-1332.
2. Mader DR, Clinical approach to infectious stomatitis in reptiles, Proceedings of
the NAVC, 2004, 1338-1339.
3. Rosenthal K, How I treat stomatitis in reptiles, Proceedings of the NAVC, 2004,
1345.
4. .Stahl SJ, Reptile obstetrics, Proceedings of the NAVC, 2000, 971-974.
5. Mader DR, ed. Reptile Medicine and Surgery. Philadelphia: W.B.Saunders, 1996.
6. Carpenter JW, Mashima TY, Rupiper DJ. Exotic Animal Formulary, 2nd edition.
Philadelphia: W.B.Saunders Company, 2000.
7. Dan Johnson, DVM
Avian and Exotic Animal Care, PA
Raleigh, NC
Thank you…
Dr.A.V.Belsare
9822064561
[email protected]
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Flagellates are treated with metronidazole 50-100 mg/kg
PO, repeated at 14 day intervals as needed.
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For coccidia in all species, use sulfadimethoxine 90
mg/kg PO, followed by 45 mg/kg q24h for 7 days.
Hydration
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Reptile emergency patients may be severely dehydrated or in
hypovolemic shock. With 5-8% dehydration there is loss of skin
elasticity and a wrinkled appearance. Mucous membranes become
dry and sticky. At 10-15% dehydration the eyes become sunken.
Warm the patient up to its POTR, and warm the fluids prior to
administration.(at least 80 F)
Maintenance fluid rate for most reptiles is 15-25 ml/kg/day, and up
to 5% of body weight can be given in a single dose if indicated.
Subcutaneous or intracoelomic fluid administration is utilized in the
majority of cases. Hyaluronidase 150 IU/L can be added to SC/ICo
fluids to increase the rate of absorption.
Reptiles are slightly hypotonic when compared to birds and
mammals. To prepare "Reptile Ringers Solution", mix 2 parts
Dextrose 2.5%/Saline 0.45% with 1 part lactated Ringer's solution.
Once stabilized, oral rehydrating (i.e., Gatorade, Rebound, and
crystalloids) can be tube fed or syringe fed. These solutions should
be administered warm. Soaking the patient in warm water provides
for easy drinking and it will often stimulate defecation. Continue
fluid support until the patient is drinking and urinating regularly.
Soaking
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Reptiles can absorb fluids by drinking and also via the
cloaca. Soak the reptile in a shallow pan of warm water,
but be aware that the debilitated reptile may not be able
to hold his head above water.
Routes of fluid administration
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Oral. Gavage of fluids is another route for fluid
administration, but this is not acceptable for patients with
GI disease or severe dehydration.
Subcutaneous. Reptile skin is not as "giving" as mammal
skin. Subcutaneous fluids can be given, but generally
small volumes at multiple sites. The best sites are
generally at the junctions of the scales (small, dorsal) and
scutes (larger, ventral) along the lateroventral aspect of
the body.
Routes of fluid administration
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Intracoelomic. Acceptable and most commonly used
route of administration, especially in emergency
situations. Contraindicated if abdominal disease or
ascites is present. In snakes, administer in the caudal 1/3
of the body, again at the junction of scales and scutes.
Always aspirate first to ensure that the needle is not in an
organ, bowel, or lung. I
Intravenous. Snakes: more difficult, jugular
catheterization can be accomplished under sedation. The
approach is 10 scutes cranial to the heart, at the junction
of the scutes and the scales. Butterfly tape and suture or
tissue glue can help secure the catheter. In a crisis
situation, a catheter can be inserted directly into the
ventricle of the heart.