Common diseases

Some of the most common diseases are:

Respiratory/lung infection: bacterial infection that attacks the lungs, usually initiated by cold drafts, chills and promoted by improper attention to temperature. Stress will be a big factor to. Symptoms: wheezing, mucous discharge from mouth and nose, refusal to eat. Action: increase temperature, humidity rate and stop draft. Contact a vet as soon as possible.

Mouth rot/infectious stomatitis: bacterial infection by a severe lack of vitamin A and C, softening the tissue in and around the jaw and loosening teeth, eating will be painful. Can spread in to the lungs and digestive system. Symptoms: mouth slightly open, inflicted area will be white and cheesy due to swelling of surrounding membranes. Action: keep patient in warm, clean tank and go to a vet.

Salmonella: bacterial infection invading the digestive tract. Can spread to tank mates and even infect humans! Symptoms: difficult to tell, sometimes extraordinary faeces or diarrhea. Action: good hygiene, quarantine and again the vet.

External parasites: parasites that invade body surface. Action: many kinds of anti parasite medicine available....

Inner parasites: parasites that invade the digestive system. Symptoms: sometimes visible in faeces... Action: go to a vet and keep the inflicted animal in quarantine.

Gout: general weakening and stiffening of internal organs, associated with joints, vertebrae. Symptoms: extensive lethargy, movement seems painful, constipation (sometimes) and loss of appetite. Action: comfort the inflicted animal; give it privacy, raise of temperature and cool water and go to the vet ASAP.

Hypervitaminosis: condition contracted by snakes that have received TO MUCH vitamins and will appear by captive snakes; given to much good things! Symptoms : mostly internal, some external, like swelling which are inexplicable. Action: cut down the vitamin supplement to a reasonable dose....

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