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3 Posts

Posted - 06/05/2010 :  20:15:02  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hello, i have just bought a 4 year old (4ft) carolina corn snake from someone on the freeads site and he's been fine the past two days but this morning he started acting weird diving in his water and hiding under the wood shavings.

When i looked closely, he has swallowed them and wasnt breathing. He was cold, and mouth was full of bedding. My GF managed to get it all out and slowly get him back to life after 2 hours but this evening he suddenly tried eating sand and was lying on his side, all cold again.

He's fine now, but i dont understand why he's doing it, and i'm not scared that over night he will do it again and he'll be dead. The previous owner said he'd never had any troubles.

Can anyone help? The internet isn't showing much for me to go on.

Thank you

DannyBrown91
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3070 Posts

Posted - 06/05/2010 :  20:36:36  Show Profile  Click to see DannyBrown91's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Im sorry i can't help much as i have never heard of such strange behahiour but here are a couple of questions that may help others.

What substrate are you using?

Have you fed on the substrate?

What are your temps, how do you monitor them and do you regulate them?

How big is the viv and how many hides do you have for him?

0.0.1 Ghost Corn - Casper
0.0.1 Diffused Corn - Reggie
0.0.1 Amel Corn - Candy A.K.A Baby
1.0 Commom BCI - Rocky

0.1 Japanese Akita - Sasha

Location: Liverpool
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SexyBear77
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3796 Posts

Posted - 06/05/2010 :  20:40:35  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
You say the snake tried eating sand- does he have it in his tank? Sand can cause something called an impaction, where the guts become blocked, which causes severe internal problems. I would ask the previous owner how the snake was kept, and on what substrate.

I would strongly suggest getting it to a vet asap, as that behaviour sounds very concerning.

Best of luck.

9.11 Cornsnakes
1.1 Hogg island boas
1.0 Dwarf Burmese python

Location: Watford
Website- http://rassnakes.yolasite.com/
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Sta~ple
qeeun speler

United Kingdom
6129 Posts

Posted - 06/05/2010 :  20:48:09  Show Profile  Click to see Sta~ple's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Wood shavings? What kind of wood shavings? Maybe it's best that you put him in a RUB of his viv with no substrate at the moment or maybe kitchen towel with hides and newspaper. I suggest going to a vet to check him out especially his mouth and stomach.

There shouldn't be sand in his viv or sawdust wood shavings. Lying on his side is a worrying thing. Did he seem fine when you got him from his previous owners? Is there any chance the previous owners could be lying?



A very special super, duper thanks for K :3
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3 Posts

Posted - 06/05/2010 :  21:15:29  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
hi everyone, my gf and i are pretty new to all of this so some of the nams are confusing.

I didnt meant wood shavings sorry, i mean like wood pellets, it was what the owner used before, he came in the same viv with the same stuff, and temp not changed. We keep the light on from 7am-7pm.

The sand is now out, but it was the wood pellet things he suddenly dived into with his mouth open.

He had passed something which looked very lumpy and gooey and smelt disgusting, which im guessing was his food from saturday. The owner before fed him once a week on a Saturday.

Our nearest vets is miles away, and we're worried that the previous owner may have been lying and knew there was a problem with the snake. He was very quick to say he'd had no problems but never offered to help whilst on the phone (and he breeds snakes).

Any more questions you need answering please let me know, i'm worried he'll be dead by morning :o(

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SexyBear77
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3796 Posts

Posted - 06/05/2010 :  21:32:09  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Sounds like a regurge, in which case I would be more worried about an impaction. Please go to the vets.

9.11 Cornsnakes
1.1 Hogg island boas
1.0 Dwarf Burmese python

Location: Watford
Website- http://rassnakes.yolasite.com/
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DannyBrown91
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3070 Posts

Posted - 06/05/2010 :  21:43:29  Show Profile  Click to see DannyBrown91's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by SexyBear77

Sounds like a regurge, in which case I would be more worried about an impaction. Please go to the vets.



This.

Also, you want a reptile specific vet. Most regular vets only really have knowledge of regular domesticated pets such as dogs cats rabbits etc. and only have very general knowledge if any about reptiles.

0.0.1 Ghost Corn - Casper
0.0.1 Diffused Corn - Reggie
0.0.1 Amel Corn - Candy A.K.A Baby
1.0 Commom BCI - Rocky

0.1 Japanese Akita - Sasha

Location: Liverpool
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3 Posts

Posted - 06/05/2010 :  22:53:29  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi, it turns out he isn't eating the wood, he's twisting himself around and going upside down then the wood is getting caught in his mouth.

He goes all lifeless and cold, then 20mins later starts getting strong and warm again. So confused!!
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DannyBrown91
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3070 Posts

Posted - 06/05/2010 :  22:58:11  Show Profile  Click to see DannyBrown91's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by benwaters

Hi, it turns out he isn't eating the wood, he's twisting himself around and going upside down then the wood is getting caught in his mouth.

He goes all lifeless and cold, then 20mins later starts getting strong and warm again. So confused!!



Snakes are cold blooded so get their temperature from their surroundings. If your snake isn't on the warm side of the viv then he won't feel warm to the touch.

0.0.1 Ghost Corn - Casper
0.0.1 Diffused Corn - Reggie
0.0.1 Amel Corn - Candy A.K.A Baby
1.0 Commom BCI - Rocky

0.1 Japanese Akita - Sasha

Location: Liverpool
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Sta~ple
qeeun speler

United Kingdom
6129 Posts

Posted - 06/05/2010 :  23:54:18  Show Profile  Click to see Sta~ple's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Check if the wood pellet have pine in them, it can be toxic to them. Although not all pellets seem to label what wood they are from :( How big are these pellets? It's plausible that small pieces may get caught but if they are like over a cm long there's no way :/ In any case, it's not normal for them to dive into pellet with their mouth open. he only thing I can thing of why he would have his mouth open and dive into pellets is some sort of mite and RI combo but then again, it could be anything.

I know this might sound silly but is the bedding actually in his mouth or just around around it?

Did the thing he pass look kinda like bird poo or like a slimy mouse?

If in doubt please get a vet check.



A very special super, duper thanks for K :3
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Kehhlyr
ǝʞɐɔ sǝʌoן

United Kingdom
8173 Posts

Posted - 07/05/2010 :  00:03:36  Show Profile  Visit Kehhlyr's Homepage  Click to see Kehhlyr's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by benwaters

Hi, it turns out he isn't eating the wood, he's twisting himself around and going upside down.........



That sounds very much like stargazing.

As it is, i'd do what's been recommended for now, remove all the substrate out of the viv and just have newpaper in the bottom.

Could you answer the questions above (and repeated below) please.

How big is the viv?
What's it made of?
How is it heated?
How are you checking the temperatures?
Where is the heat source situated?

-=Kehhlyr - The Resident Loon

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45 Posts

Posted - 07/05/2010 :  08:46:38  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
no matter wat the answers are to above am sure they would shed some light but sounds like a trip to vets asap !
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HannahB
The Corn Snake Moderator

United Kingdom
5491 Posts

Posted - 07/05/2010 :  13:07:24  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
i agree with kehhlyr but please get rid of the substrate and just use newspaper or kitchen towel,
phone round some vets - im sure one of them will be able to help or recommend a vet who can - where do you live? someone on here may be able to recommend a vet


2.0 Normal Royal Pythons - Q and Little One
1.0 Chihauhaun Mountain Kingsnake - Simba



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Sta~ple
qeeun speler

United Kingdom
6129 Posts

Posted - 07/05/2010 :  15:03:24  Show Profile  Click to see Sta~ple's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
If you do find out he's stargazing or you can't find out what's wrong with him return him to the breeder and demand your money. It might seem harsh but it's not fair on you as a first time owner to have a snake from a breeder with such health problems. I really hope that man doesn't breed stargazing snakes.

Plus he would have lied about the condition of the snake before you bought him.



A very special super, duper thanks for K :3

Edited by - Sta~ple on 07/05/2010 15:04:23
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punumbear
Hatchling

United Kingdom
483 Posts

Posted - 07/05/2010 :  15:14:19  Show Profile  Click to see punumbear's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
agree with kehhlyr new papaer down till he ceases the odd behaviour. the stargazing sounds like neuro issues.,. but obviously rep vet can hopefully give u answers. let us know what happens.


love my animals more than i like people.
the gang
1 ridgeback
2 kids
1 anery-lil aney
1 m, 4 ft candy cane corn.. aka kellogg..
1 carolina corn-claret/carrot
Newest additon.. f whiteout corn-pastel??
1african house snake - Bob
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DannyBrown91
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3070 Posts

Posted - 07/05/2010 :  15:35:30  Show Profile  Click to see DannyBrown91's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by punumbear

the stargazing sounds like neuro issues.



Stargazing is actually the name for a neurological syndrome found in some snakes.

I believe i have heard it described as downsyndrome for snakes.

0.0.1 Ghost Corn - Casper
0.0.1 Diffused Corn - Reggie
0.0.1 Amel Corn - Candy A.K.A Baby
1.0 Commom BCI - Rocky

0.1 Japanese Akita - Sasha

Location: Liverpool
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Mouse
Yearling

United Kingdom
958 Posts

Posted - 07/05/2010 :  15:44:09  Show Profile  Click to see Mouse's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Hope it all gets sorted.

Again, where are you? If yo're down south I know of a fantastic specialist.


1.0.0 - Gobo - Snow Corn (RIP)
0.1.0 - Sprockett - Normal/hypo/het snow Corn

2.0.0 Anery Hatchlings
0.1.0 Amel Hatchling
0.1.0 Normal Hatchling

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Sammysnake
Yearling

United Kingdom
606 Posts

Posted - 07/05/2010 :  17:07:57  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
I believe i have heard it described as downsyndrome for snakes.

I know this isn't the point of the thread but wanted to say I don't see the link between a neurological disease and Down Syndrome which is chromosonal, not a disease and does not involve a human being going loopy or rolling on their side or whatever stargazing is. I'm not having a go Danny, I certainly don't think you meant to cause offence, I just think it's a completely invalid description that I wouldn't want other people repeating. I've worked for four years with a wonderful little girl with DS and she is definitely not sick/ill.

Right, preach over now back to the thread.... sorry. Good luck Ben.


08 male Carolina Corn ‘Saracen’
09 male Anery Corn ‘Twilight’
08 male Rankins Dragon ‘Keydo’
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Sta~ple
qeeun speler

United Kingdom
6129 Posts

Posted - 07/05/2010 :  17:33:02  Show Profile  Click to see Sta~ple's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
I thought stargazing was more compared to virtago and other problems balancing. Doesn't harm the snake in anyway but the motor sensor's, specially the fine one's aren't right. But in anycase, a snake diving with his mouth open into stuff is not good. How does he respond to being fed? All I say say is look at stargazing cornsnake on youtube or something and see if your snake is doing a similar thing. One of my snake does have her random moments where she will be throwing her head and body everywhere it seems but she's not a stargazer as her fine movements are perfect.



A very special super, duper thanks for K :3
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DannyBrown91
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3070 Posts

Posted - 07/05/2010 :  17:39:37  Show Profile  Click to see DannyBrown91's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Sammysnake

quote:
I believe i have heard it described as downsyndrome for snakes.

I know this isn't the point of the thread but wanted to say I don't see the link between a neurological disease and Down Syndrome which is chromosonal, not a disease and does not involve a human being going loopy or rolling on their side or whatever stargazing is. I'm not having a go Danny, I certainly don't think you meant to cause offence, I just think it's a completely invalid description that I wouldn't want other people repeating. I've worked for four years with a wonderful little girl with DS and she is definitely not sick/ill.

Right, preach over now back to the thread.... sorry. Good luck Ben.



I think it was on here that i heard it described as that. I don't know much about it, wether it is neurologial or chromosonal, but was merely repeating as i said "i have heard it reffered to as" something i have read. Wether they are similar or not i don't know.

Sorry if i did cause any offence, it really wasn't meant that way.

0.0.1 Ghost Corn - Casper
0.0.1 Diffused Corn - Reggie
0.0.1 Amel Corn - Candy A.K.A Baby
1.0 Commom BCI - Rocky

0.1 Japanese Akita - Sasha

Location: Liverpool

Edited by - DannyBrown91 on 07/05/2010 17:43:41
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876 Posts

Posted - 07/05/2010 :  19:38:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Dont Worry Danny!
xXx

ANY news on the Snake??
xXx


Slinky-Tallulah-Fairy-Bell

"My Heart has joined The Thousand for my friend stopped running today"
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