{"id":11980,"date":"2014-11-26T22:29:02","date_gmt":"2014-11-27T04:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lafeber.com\/staging\/vet\/?p=11980"},"modified":"2024-02-24T22:32:10","modified_gmt":"2024-02-25T04:32:10","slug":"feeding-the-hospitalized-snake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/feeding-the-hospitalized-snake\/","title":{"rendered":"Feeding the Hospitalized Snake"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Depending on their age and size, snakes may be fed multiple times in one week or every 2 to 4 weeks. If nutritional support is truly needed, then assisted feeding is indicated in the hospitalized snake. Tube feeding is commonly performed in critically ill snakes after fluid therapy and supplemental heat is provided.<\/p>\n

Reptiles are ectothermic or poikilothermic therefore body temperature varies with environmental temperature rather than changes in internal metabolism. To minimize stress, provide patients with an appropriate temperature gradient and meet their other environmental requirements. For instance, corn snakes<\/a> (Elaphe guttata<\/em>) are temperate zone species from the southeastern United States that enjoy vertical space for climbing and some humidity, whereas ball pythons (Python regius<\/em>) are terrestrial species from arid countries in Central and west Africa (Table 1). In contrast, garter snakes (Thamnophis<\/em> spp.) inhabit much of the US, living along the edges of ponds, streams and rivers. See Hospitalizing Non-Traditional Pets<\/a> for more specific advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Table 1. Husbandry requirements of the three popular snake species<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n
<\/td>\nBall python<\/strong><\/td>\nCorn snake<\/strong><\/td>\nGarter snake<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Preferred optimum temperature zone<\/td>\n27-29\u00b0C (80-85\u00b0F)<\/td>\n21-31\u00b0C (70-88\u00b0F)<\/td>\n18-26.6\u00b0C (65-80\u00b0F)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Warm spot<\/td>\n31-35\u00b0C (88-95\u00b0F) on substrate with cooler gradient<\/td>\n35\u00b0C (95\u00b0F) on rock or perch with cooler gradient<\/td>\n29\u00b0C (85\u00b0F) on rock, with much cooler gradient<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nighttime low<\/td>\n25.6-26.6\u00b0C (78-80\u00b0F)<\/td>\n2-5\u00b0C (10-15\u00b0F) drop at night<\/td>\n5-15\u00b0F drop at night<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Humidity<\/td>\nDamp mulch\/moss in hide box<\/td>\n40-60%<\/td>\n40-75%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Terrestrial versus arboreal<\/td>\nTerrestrial<\/td>\nSome vertical space needed<\/td>\nPrimarily terrestrial, open spaces<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Natural food<\/td>\nRodents<\/td>\nRodents<\/td>\nFish, frogs, earthworms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Recognizing true anorexia<\/h2>\n

Defining anorexia in snakes can be tricky. Fasting may be expected in some species during certain times of the year. For instance many gravid females<\/strong> and actively breeding males eat less or go off feed entirely. Some species also fast for weeks or months as an adaptation to excess heat or cold, drought, or lack of food. This dormancy in reptiles is called \u201cbrumation<\/strong>\u201d as opposed to true hibernation. Some snakes, particularly large boas and pythons as well as some species of rattlesnake, may not eat for extended periods of time. Research in the ball python, rat snake, (Elaphe obsolete<\/em>), and Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox<\/em>) have shown these species are able to successfully tolerate starvation by reducing their resting metabolic demands by up to 72%. Fat bodies are catabolized for energy while critical protein stores are spared (McCue 2007, Blem 1990). Since brumation is associated with slowed metabolism, little energy is consumed and very little weight loss occurs (Whittier 1996).<\/p>\n

Many temperate zone snakes must be cooled to induce successful reproduction, however brumation is not without risk and should only be practiced by experienced owners. Prolonged or multiple fasts in less than ideal conditions can be debilitating, and brumation can lead to starvation in thin or sickly reptiles. Regular weighing is therefore recommended for fasting reptiles.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Is nutritional support indicated?<\/h2>\n

When trying to determine if nutritional support should be initiated in an anorectic snake, the first question to ask is:\u00a0 Does this species normally brumate in the wild? <\/strong><\/p>\n

During brumation, a healthy specimen will lose relatively little body weight, but improper or prolonged fasting can lead to starvation and debilitation. So the next questions to ask are: Is there weight loss? <\/strong>and\u00a0 What is the snake\u2019s body condition?<\/strong> Muscle and small to moderate amounts of fat should be palpable over the vertebral processes. Also obtain a detailed dietary and clinical history. Look for evidence of disease on physical examination.<\/p>\n

Laboratory diagnosis of starvation can be difficult. Blood glucose and electrolyte levels decrease inconsistently. Low albumin levels may also suggest malnutrition. Plasma triglycerides were found to correlated positively with body condition in female garter snakes emerging from brumation (Whittier 1996).<\/p>\n

Imaging may also prove helpful. Use radiographs to rule out gastrointestinal obstruction or impaction. Ultrasound may be used to look for the presence of intracoelomic fat bodies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dietary strategy<\/h2>\n

All snakes are carnivores with relatively larger snakes consuming vertebrates and smaller ones eating invertebrates. The carnivore gastrointestinal tract is relatively short and simple. Dietary energy is derived from fat and protein.<\/p>\n

The preferred prey item will vary with the species but may include appropriately sized rodents, rabbits, fish, and birds. Most species commonly kept as pets may be fed rats and mice purchased frozen from commercial suppliers and thawed prior to feeding. Pythons, boas, rat snakes, corn snakes, gopher snakes (Pituophis catenifer<\/em>), bull snakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi<\/em>), and pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus<\/em>) generally eat rodents and chicks. Kingsnakes feed on other snakes in the wild but usually eat rodents in captivity. Water snakes feed on amphibians, crayfish, fish, and invertebrates. Garter snakes and ribbon snakes (Thamnophis<\/em> spp.) as well as DeKay\u2019s brown snake (Storeria dekayi<\/em>) will also eat slow-moving invertebrates. Green snakes (Genus Opheodrys<\/em>) may be fed a variety of invertebrates including crickets.<\/p>\n

Although wild-caught adult snakes may refuse prey, those born in captivity generally accept commonly available prey. For example, garter snakes can be fed young mice (appropriately sized “pinkies” and “fuzzies”) scented with fish (common fish for this purpose are frozen silversides sold in pet shops as fish food).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before you feed the snake\u2026<\/h2>\n

Most reptiles will not waste away if they miss a meal or two. A more common clinical mistake is to feed reptile patients too quickly. Make sure the patient is hydrated and warm before initiating nutritional support.<\/p>\n