Though not common, an abscess can potentially cause the death of a snake. Therefore, you must not ignore any swelling or bump in your pet reptile. Take immediate steps to treat them. However, first, you need to know what causes snake abscesses.
The primary causes of snake abscesses include the following:
- Bacterial infection, especially in wounded area
- Excessive stress in captive life
- Trauma from past experience, especially from cage mates
- Oral diseases, and
- Prey injuries they get while hunting
Abscess may not be painful for snakes as they do not perceive snakes like mammals. Still, treatment is important to protect their lives. Let me help you with the necessary guidance.
What Causes Snake Abscesses and Treatment?
Solving any problem requires knowing the root of it, especially if it is related to health. The following are the most common reasons for abscess in snakes.
1. Bacteria Infection
Bacterial infection is the primary reason for abscess in snakes. These germs can enter their bodies in different ways. Bacteria may infect wounded areas, mouths, or other animals when snakes eat them.
The immune system fights back to prevent bacteria and creates a pus-filled pocket to wall off the infection. This results in an abscess. Fungi and other parasites can also cause problems among snakes.
Salmonella is one of the major threats for snakes and reptiles. It can cause various health issues, including abscesses.
2. Excessive Stress
Stress might not directly cause the problem, but it plays a role. Let me explain it to you.
Stress weakens the immune system and makes them vulnerable to outer objects. With a compromised immune system, even minor wounds take much time to heal. As a result, these wounds remain exposed to bacteria for a longer period of time.
A weak immune system cannot fight off the invasion of bacteria or other parasites. This eventually led to snake abscesses.
What Causes Stress Among Snakes?
Several factors can cause stress among snakes, including the following:
- Wrong temperature, humidity, or lack of hiding spots in their enclosure
- Lack of hygiene and cleanliness of their habitat that harbors bacteria and parasites
- Keeping too many of them in a compact place makes it stressful for them.
- Excessive handling by you can also cause stress
- Lack of activity, especially during captivity, can also cause the problem.
Snakes can be very difficult to deal with for snakes. Often, snakes may start eating themselves out of stress.
3. Oral Diseases
Once again, oral disease does not have any direct connection with abscesses.
Poor dental hygiene, mouth injuries, or stomatitis create a perfect environment for bacteria to flourish. These bacteria can then enter the bloodstream through wounds or weakened gum tissue. This may potentially result in abscesses.
What Causes Oral Diseases?
Oral diseases can happen for a number of reasons. You need to be careful and aware of the following to prevent the problem.
- Lack of variety or improper prey size can lead to nutritional deficiencies. If you have a carpet python, you must know about the diet of carpet python.
- Bites, cage furniture, or rough handling can damage teeth or gums.
- Lack of calcium or vitamin D can contribute to jaw problems and weaken teeth.
- Substrates like wood chips can lodge in the mouth and cause irritation or infection.
4. Prey Injuries
Prey injuries can definitely contribute to abscess formation in snakes. Let me describe how this can happen.
Even healthy prey animals carry bacteria in their gut and on their skin. Bites or scratches inflicted during feeding can introduce these bacteria into the snake’s body. The wounds created can make them more susceptible to bacterial invasion and infection.
Sometimes, the prey tries to fight back. If live prey are not fully stunned, they may fight and inflict more serious wounds. It increases the risk of abscess formation.
Signs of Abscesses in Snakes
It is important to identify abscesses in snakes as early as possible. Thankfully, there will be some signs and symptoms to help you. Check the table below to learn about them.
| Signs | Description |
| Visible swelling or lump | A localized lump or mass may be firm or fluid-filled, not always red or inflamed. |
| Lethargy | Snake appears less active and spends more time hiding. |
| Loss of appetite | Snakes may refuse food, especially if the abscess is near the mouth or abdomen. |
| Difficulty moving | If near a joint or muscle, movement may be painful for the snake. |
| Regurgitation | Snakes may vomit up recently eaten prey due to digestive issues from the abscess. |
| Open wound or sore | In some cases, the abscess may burst open and create a draining wound. |
How to Treat Abscesses in Snakes?
I suggest you visit a vet, please. On an urgent basis. The reptile surely does not enjoy the presence of an abscess in it. The very can drain the abscess with a simple surgery. I am just describing the process, but please DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.
- Diagnosis: The vet will examine the snake. They may take a fine needle aspirate and possibly recommend further testing to confirm the cause. Based on the result, the best treatment plan will be arranged.
- Antibiotics: Oral or injectable antibiotics are typically prescribed to fight the bacterial infection.
- Surgery: In most cases, surgical removal of the abscess is necessary. This may involve complete removal or lancing and flushing the infected area.
- Pain medication: Some medication can be described after the surgery to keep the snakes in comfort and free of pain.
- Supportive care: Fluids may be provided for hydration. They will also guide you on rearranging the enclosure environment.
- Post-operative care: The vet will provide specific instructions on cleaning the wound and monitoring your snake’s recovery.
What to Do to Prevent Abscesses in Reptiles?
“Prevention is better than cure”- Desiderius Erasmus.
You must have already heard this quote by now. Therefore, it is better to take steps to solve the problem before it happens.
1. Balanced Diet
A balanced diet for snakes depends entirely on their species. While some of them may need occasional vegetables, they are mostly carnivores. Give them a variety of foods to avoid boredom. Here is a list of food they can have.
- Rodents: Mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils (frozen/thawed preferred)
- Lagomorphs: Rabbits (younger snakes)
- Chicks: Day-old chicks (for some colubrid snakes)
- Invertebrates: Crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms (for smaller snakes)
- Fish: Feeder fish (for some aquatic snakes)
2. Cleanliness Routine
Cleanliness is always important for animals. Try to clean their enclosure as regularly as possible; doing so daily would be great. Remove uneaten food, feces, and biowaste on a regular basis. This keeps their enclosure clean.
I found the following conversation much more effective regarding snakes’ cleanliness. Check the screenshot below.
3. Avoid Excessive Handling
I understand your willingness to handle the snake as often as possible. But please, don’t do that. It is not good for the snake at all.
Snakes are not puppies or kitties.
They do not enjoy human interaction as much as mammal pets. They demand less when it comes to attention and love. Many owners find it adorable and think that is one of the major reasons why they think snakes make good pets.
4. Take Care of Their Wounds
Infection in wounds is the primary reason for snakes getting abscesses. Therefore, you must be aware of and careful when treating the problem. Here is what you can do.
- Separate the injured snake to prevent contact with cage mates. This would reduce the risk of spread of the infection and diseases.
- For minor surface wounds, brief soaks in clean, lukewarm water can help clean the area.
- Consult a reptile veterinarian immediately for proper instructions for deeper wounds.
5. Regular Checkups
Regular veterinary checkups are vital for preventing abscesses in snakes. This can help with early detection of any health issues and take steps to deal with them. Additionally, a vet can inform you of the snake’s health condition beforehand and instruct how you can take better care.
Should I Treat Abscess at Home?
No, you should not unless you are trained. Abscess treatment requires performing surgery. This might be a minor one, but it is still a critical one. You need to have some sort of expertise and qualification for this.
A mistake while removing the abscess can be fatal. This could also lead to death for your snake. Get in touch with a vet and discuss with them. Sometimes, abscesses do not need surgery. Let the vet make the decision.
FAQ
The following information may be helpful for you in treating reptile abscesses.
Can snakes die of abscesses?
Yes, snakes can die from abscesses if left untreated. Abscesses are localized infections that can become serious if untreated. Prompt veterinary care is crucial to treat abscesses and prevent complications or death.
What is a snake’s mouth abscess?
A snake’s mouth abscess is a localized infection within the oral cavity. It can result from injuries, dental problems, or bacterial infections. Symptoms include swelling, difficulty eating, and oral discharge. Prompt veterinary attention is necessary to diagnose and treat the abscess.
Is snake abscess contagious?
No, snake abscesses are not typically contagious between snakes. They are usually caused by localized bacterial infections. It does not transmit from one snake to another through casual contact. However, proper hygiene practices should still be observed to prevent the spread of infectious agents.
Conclusion
Now that you know what causes snake abscesses, I hope you will be careful about them. Take necessary steps to prevent abscesses among them. Take immediate action if there is any problem or you notice any sign of abscesses.
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