my garters cause of death?

[kizikat]

hello to all, im searching for help so hopefully someone on here can help. my poor garter snake died this morning and i'd like to know the possible cause as i feel terrible. She had not eaten for 4 weeks but this wasnt uncommon for her around winter, she was still active untill last night when she was very still. i took out and gave her a bath2 raise her body temp but soon as she was back in the tank she didnt move all night and even turned upside down. she had not shed very well this time and i had tried to help that over the last 2 weeks.only last night did her upper body seem swollen and possibly her anus a little.im heart broken as i booked her in my vets but she died before i could get her there. she was 13 yrs old so had a good life but i'd love some answers to stop me blaming myself. thanks guys

[BUSHSNAKE]

13 years old? i say old age is a possibility

[dieselbaby]

Im no expert on this subject, but i would like to offer my condolences in losing your beloved garter. Its not easy i know.

[kibakiba]

Age could have been what killed her, she may have been impacted... Which may cause her to stop eating. Did you ever feed her on the substrate?
Why did you give her a bath to raise her temperature, and how warm was the water? Usually people just turn on a heat lamp to raise the temperature, or raise the rooms temperature

[chris-uk]

13 years old? i say old age is a possibility

I'm with Bushsnake. If there was no sign of any cause it's likely to be old age. 13 years is a good innings. And it sounds like you did what anyone else would have done. I don't know whether the bad shed is a sign that she was loosing strength or something else was wrong.
I'm sorry for your loss.

[PINJOHN]

It is great credit to you that you should react in this way over the death of you little friend, but the truth is that at thirteen this little fella was near the end and while some garters will go beyond thirteen many don't,
it's true of course that there is a specific cause for any death and at thirteen those causes are beginning to line up, meaning that if you get them through one crisis the next one is waiting in the wings, i have a lovely female radix KENZO she is about the same age as your snake not sure just how old as she was an adult when i got her, the first thing i do each day when coming in the room is to check on Kenzo, for exactly the reasons i have just given you, i will do my best to get her through the things that old age throws at her but my common sense tells me that there is a limit as to how long you can keep them with you,
sorry if the trend of this post is some what gloomy but on the upside you are now a member of the best site on the net you now have loads of friends waiting with good advice for your next little friend and you can even pass on some of your help and encouragement to new members coming on the site welcome to the site and get involved

[EasternGirl]

I do not have an answer to why your garter died...I just want to offer my sympathy in what is obviously a very difficult time for you. I am so very sorry about the loss of your friend. We welcome you to our community and hope that you will find some comfort and friendship here.

[infernalis]

I also wager old age.

13 years is a long and decent life. You did everything right!! 13 years is a lot longer than they live in the wild.

Sincere condolences for your loss.

[ssssnakeluvr]

Sorry for your loss. I am going with old age too....13 is a ripe old age for a garter.

[katach]

I'm very sorry for your loss. That is always sad. !3 is a ripe old age for a garter. The swelling you describe could be a blockage, but more likely it was old age that took your snake. Did your little one have a name? If you have any pictures we would love to see them. Welcome to the forum family. I wish it were under happier circumstances though.