Bloating

[radiant]

My garter snake is bloating in the upper middle of its body,just before the neck.I think it's internal parasites so I was going to give it some medicine.I cuaght it in the wild so im not completely sure what's goin on.But I was planning on hibernating it soon,but since it started bloating im not doing anything like that until i know it's healthy.I've been feeding it night crawlers becuase it wont eat anything else.If anyone might know what's going on please say something.

[adamanteus]

Hi Tucker, and welcome to the forum.:)
I would suggest a visit to the vet. It sounds a bit serious.

[drache]

hi Tucker
welcome to this forum
and I agree - take the snake to the vet
I've had two different situations with snakes that had large swellings in the neck area and both of them required medical intervention
good luck to both of you
please keep us posted

[enigma200316]

I agree see a vet ASAP, and welcome to the forum............:)

[Lori P]

Tucker, I hope all turns out well with your snake; I agree he needs to see a vet. Please keep us posted and welcome to the forum!!

[hissy100]

You know it could be a lump from a disorder in garters where the liver is too high, could you post some pics

[Odie]

Hi, from Oregon, Tucker :)

[anji1971]

Hello, and welcome! Best of luck with your snake, and keep us posted!:)

[snakeman]

sounds like a resp. infection.They can wipe out your collection fast.

[Cazador]

Hi Tucker,

Just curious... how many worms do you feed per day, and how often do you feed your snake? Acute overfeeding could also lead to swelling of the area you mentioned, and is the simplest thing to fix. If that's not the problem, my next guess would be a respiratory infection, as mentioned.

Rick

[radiant]

THIS IS SERIOUS!!!
Now the snake is still alive but almost its whole body is stiff and its mouth is slightly open?
Someone PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????

[drache]

I don't suppose you have taken the snake to a vet yet
at this point you need an emergency vet visit post haste and it may be too late

[Cazador]

Tucker,

Assuming we're, in fact, talking about bloating (sorry, but I can't see or feel the snake), then that's almost certainly caused by an advanced respiratory infection. If there's any help for the snake at this point, it will require antibiotic treatment from a vet. I wish I had better news and that it were treatable from home, but it sounds like it isn't. If you haven't already done so, quarantine the snake, and wash your hands thoroughly every time you handle it and its furnishings.

Rick

[radiant]

Now i put it under a heat lamp and most of its body has become unstiff but its head was slightly turned upside down and its mouth was open a little bit more but it seems like its getting better could it have been doing some kind of hibernation?

[radiant]

Now the snakes body is mostly unstiff and its becoming more active after i put it under a heat lamp.Could it have been doing some kind of hibernation?

[Cazador]

Tucker,

I'm sorry to say, but this is an emotional roller-coaster. The heat may provide temporary relief, but if the snake is at the point of gaping its mouth and bloating, it has an advanced illness. I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but I think you should know what you're dealing with. I'm afraid that the snake will die without help, but posting a picture always helps us to understand the condition and provide more reliable advise.

Rick

[adamanteus]

Sorry Tucker, your photo hasn't appeared. I honestly think you need a vet fast. There's no real help you can get from the forum quickly enough.

[Cazador]

Tucker,

Here's a link to help you with http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/site-feedback-suggestions-questions/181-posting-pictures.html.

Rick

[adamanteus]

And another, with step by step instructions;
http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/site-feedback-suggestions-questions/1008-guide-posting-pictures.html

[radiant]

??THIS IS THE SNAKE 7 HOURS AGOhttp://img126.imageshack.us/img126/9849/imgp0013cs1.jpg for some reason it got alot better and its more active its mouth is shut and its head isnt twisted so its okay now but still dont know what happened??

[radiant]

This is the snake now.http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/5821/imgp0002ak9.jpg

[Cazador]

I don't see the bloating, but gaping like that is a bad sign. I don't think you're out of the woods, yet. Though I wish you the best.

Rick

[adamanteus]

I can't see any bloating either, although there appears to be some 'thickening' around the throat. I would guess your snake has a respitatory infection, and I would still recommend a prompt vet visit. Good luck and please keep us posted.

[Snaky]

I would also take her to the vet. Gaping like that is really not a good sign...