Elderly Snakes, Care and Unique Health Issues

[katach]

I was talking with Steve on the phone today and he suggested I start this thread for aging snakes. Please feel free to share your own stories and photos. It would be appreciated if this thread could stay focused on aging/elderly snakes and the special care they require, please and thank you.


My beautiful red striped NW (T. ordinoides), Blade seems to be older than I had thought. She has developed what we think is arthritis. She has a lump on her spine and this kink in her tail. We have started massaging her tail and giving her warm baths to help. She is still a BIG pig when it comes to food, and otherwise just as active.

[guidofatherof5]

T.L.C. for the aged ones. A warm bath probably feels pretty good to the old girl.
The kink in the tail wasn't what I pictured. Could just be an old injury site.

[katach]

She has never been injured with us, but she could have been in the wild. Good thought. I know my arthritis acts up in old injury spots first.

[chris-uk]

Do old snakes slow down (like old cats and dogs)? So would housing them with younger, more active snakes be a good or bad thing?
None of mine are getting old yet (we don't know how old Adora Belle is, I think she could be around 4-5 years old), but it's a thread that will be useful in years to come, and thinking ahead... should I plan a geriatric viv at some point?

[-MARWOLAETH-]

Do old snakes need special care with food or can they be fed the same things as youngsters?

[guidofatherof5]

Do old snakes need special care with food or can they be fed the same things as youngsters?

I've never changed any food items because a snake was aged.
They usually get more one-on-one interaction and an extra treat though.

[Invisible Snake]

Do old snakes slow down (like old cats and dogs)? So would housing them with younger, more active snakes be a good or bad thing?

Old snakes tend to be less active and housing them with young snakes would cause them stress.

[chris-uk]

I've never changed any food items because a snake was aged.
They usually get more one-on-one interaction and an extra treat though.

It's good to know I won't have to start blending pinkies when Adora's teeth fall out. That's a flippant way of asking whether old snakes have dental problems.

[EasternGirl]

I honestly have no idea how old Cee Cee is. I am guessing because she gave birth in April and is still pretty active that she is no older than 4-5 years. But I have no idea. It is going to be tough to determine with some of my WC snakes. At what age would a garter be considered elderly?

[guidofatherof5]

It's good to know I won't have to start blending pinkies when Adora's teeth fall out. That's a flippant way of asking whether old snakes have dental problems.

Or giving it a good pre-chew before feeding