Disturbing Drunken-like Behavior

[Reptiliancousin]

Long time no see folks! I just bought two different species of garter snake from the same pet store and both were housed together. Well after more close observation I noticed the larger acting sick. Very quiet, not at all very active. I noticed a little bit of this yesterday when I looked at her. The post gets it's name from her unusual floppiness. She falls backward and moves in circles. But this repetitive movement of upside downness has me highly concerned. It's like she's devoid of energy and just lets her body fall wherever it wants. But she moves halfway sideways and always falls upside down. It's almost like she's blind. But she follows movement in front of her so I ruled that out. When climbing on her tank she fell down and again landed upside down. She stayed that way for minutes until I turned her back over. It's like her brain is lopsided. I also noticed some bulging in her body. Do any of these behaviors sound familiar? I'd like to know if there's anything I can do. She has recently ate some pinkie pieces on Friday. My gut tells me these bahaviors are too extreme and she's going to die. I've never seen a garter so hum drum and 'dizzy'. I can post more pictures if needed. 8407840884108411

[Reptiliancousin]

Here's one of the bulging and upside down fall.8413 8412

[guidofatherof5]

This is a serious situation and one that came home with her from the pet shop. I would be in immediate contact with them. Do you know what they were feeding her and for how long?
A vet. visit is called for.
Sweet looking girl. I hope you can get this problem solved.
Your concerns about possible death are well grounded in this situation.
Does the snake have any normal movements? What about tongue flicking?

Separate the two snakes!

[Reptiliancousin]

I've already separated her from the others. They had the snakes for a few weeks and noticed the odd behavior. They kept the two together in quarantation for a few days. The assistant manager said the snakes were fed pinkie pieces and gave me a fourteen day return notice. She moves slowly but usually with her head tilted to one side. Tongue flicking occurs but not as frequently as normally displayed by healthier snakes. Right now she's got her head buried under her water bowl. Any ideas what's wrong with her?

[guidofatherof5]

Could be a tumor, inner ear infection, mineral deficiency, etc.
A combination of, or none of the above.
Very difficult to diagnose over the web let along in person by a vet.
Please keep us updated on this situation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Reptiliancousin]

Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll keep updates going.

[d_virginiana]

A vet is really the only thing that can help in this situation. A good herp vet could tell you if it's something fixable like an inner-ear problem, or something more serious, so that would be a good idea. If this is a tumor/deficiency/ect. that has caused brain damage, it probably won't get any better and may keep getting worse... If it were me I might take them up on their return policy... Not trying to be pessimistic, but if this is neurological I haven't seen many cases that end happily.
Of course, if it is a deficiency, and you can get that corrected her condition might not get any worse and she may be able to cope with her current issues.

Sorry you ended up with a sick snake from the store :( Unfortunately that happens quite often...

[Reptiliancousin]

I'd think I'd learn my lesson concerning pet store animals by now. I don't even think there's a herp vet close! I live out in the country and the vets out here take care of horses, cattle, goats, dogs, and cats. The only snakes they see out here are associated with pet bites and the venomous reptiles are dead and seen for verification or the usual boas or pythons. Last time I tried to get one of my ribbons in the doc wasn't sure what to do with her. I've considered the return policy option, I don't take your comment as being pessimistic but rather realistic. But I know the people there quite well and they won't do a thing about Dizzy. All I can really do is take care of her the best that I know how and hope for the best. If she's beyond help then I'd rather her pass in a comfortable place with a person who cares rather than a dirty pet store environment among people who'd discard her. But if anyone knows a reliable herp vet around here or san Antonio I'd be grateful for a name or number.

[EKS56]

:(

[d_virginiana]

Hopefully the damage has already been done and she won't get any worse... Keep us updated on her condition :(

[guidofatherof5]

I'd think I'd learn my lesson concerning pet store animals by now. I don't even think there's a herp vet close! I live out in the country and the vets out here take care of horses, cattle, goats, dogs, and cats. The only snakes they see out here are associated with pet bites and the venomous reptiles are dead and seen for verification or the usual boas or pythons. Last time I tried to get one of my ribbons in the doc wasn't sure what to do with her. I've considered the return policy option, I don't take your comment as being pessimistic but rather realistic. But I know the people there quite well and they won't do a thing about Dizzy. All I can really do is take care of her the best that I know how and hope for the best. If she's beyond help then I'd rather her pass in a comfortable place with a person who cares rather than a dirty pet store environment among people who'd discard her. But if anyone knows a reliable herp vet around here or san Antonio I'd be grateful for a name or number.

Awesome.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//744/Clapping.gif

[Lowfur]

I don't know how reputable they are as I've never been but there is a reptile vet in Kyle, about 15 miles north of San marcos, where I am. I believe his name is Cord Offerman, from the Kyle Animal Hospital, phone number is 512-268-5003. Hope that helps :) sorry your sweet baby isn't doing well :(

[kueluck]

Such a sad post for such a pretty girl. I hope all turns out well for her and you.

[twgrosmick]

What you said is the best way to handle a situation like this. Even if a vet was close there is little they can do for reptiles. Internal issues are rarely if ever cured by vets and with a snake this size the stress alone will cause it to pass more times than not. Best bet is to contact the pet store and demand a refund of some sort. Anyone that takes one look at that snake can see that it has a problem..

Best of luck

[Reptiliancousin]

Thanks everyone. You're all very kind. She's actually doing well this evening compared to the death scare this afternoon. But now she's wandering around her tank. She moves slowly but at least she's doing something rather than just lie still. I tried feeding her a pinkie but she ignored it. I'm hoping her being active is a sign of good things to come.

[chris-uk]

I really appreciate that you want to do the best for this little garter, if you know the shop wont do anything to treat it you're making a good call.
In your position I'd be contacting the manager at the shop and having a conversation along the lines of - you sold me a snake that has some serious health problems, you don't want me the snake back, I'm willing to treat it well and am going to be facing vets bills (which you don't want if I return it for a refund), so how about you give me a refund and I'll foot the vet bills.

[guidofatherof5]

Steve Schmidt gave me a call tonight and recommends you call Dr. Rob Coke of the San Antonio Zoo for help or advice.
210-734-7184

[guidofatherof5]

Here's a great website where this Vet. is listed. Just click on "Find A Vet" and go to your State.

Arav (http://www.arav.org/)

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Have they treated the snake with anything recently that could have been poisonous i had a rescue snake that came to me one time that had been closed up in a container with no ventilation with a no pest strip to kill mites and the snake acted a lot like this. The only thing i could figure was that the poison caused neurological problems! Could they have used any chemicals on or around the snake? I know they had other snakes around that don't display these same symptoms, but if this snake was stressed or had any smaller underlying problems the chemicals could have affected the snake differently. Glad to hear she is doing better and i hope things turn around for her!
thanks everyone. You're all very kind. She's actually doing well this evening compared to the death scare this afternoon. But now she's wandering around her tank. She moves slowly but at least she's doing something rather than just lie still. I tried feeding her a pinkie but she ignored it. I'm hoping her being active is a sign of good things to come.