Aussie Pythons and Snakes

serpenttongue · #1 20-Mar-05, 12:14 PM

G'day all, In June/July last year i put 8 diamonds indoors so i could knock down their old outdoor cage and build them a new one. While they were indoors they were housed 4 diamonds to a cage and cooled down for mating. Just as they were to be put back into their new enclosure outdoors in September 1 diamond was observed laying in an awkward position with the skin of its neck stretched and taut(see pics). Faecal examinations performed by my vet revealed in very high numbers a protozoa which he called SPIRALIA.
At this time another 4 diamonds started showing signs of this disease so they were all treated with flagyll (suspension). The 4 diamonds were treated once with a full recovery in November. The original diamond was treated 4 times and still didnt get better. It would regurgitate meals in cooler temps so it needed to be kept indoors and it was always laying in its awkwar position. A second faecal examination revealed no trace of protozoa however this diamond started constantly sucking in its stomach and slowly moving it side to side as if in pain. The snake was left with the vet so he could procure another scat. He said the scat came out covered with mucus which had a lot of bacteria in it. He went on to say the the gut wall will produce mucus when its infected. It is now at the vets for a week and is getting a course of antibiotic injections.
Its taken a lot for me to get over this, but what happened this morning made me feel like fainting and throwing up at the same time. I found one of the other 4 in a grotesque position with its mouth open (see pic). Its indoors now and seems okay at higher temps.

Cotinued next post.....

serpenttongue · #2 20-Mar-05, 12:20 PM

Ive had it suggested to me that this is either Diamond syndrome, IBD or Cryptosporidiosis. I dont believe it to be these. Apart from last winter these diamonds are kept outdoors permanently, with access to sunlight which rules out D.S. I dont think its Crypto or IBD as they would probably be dead now or close to it. I feel this is simply a protozoa infection that wont go away.
Can anyone please shed light on this for me, and has anyone seen pythons in the body postures depicted in the pics i will now attach.

Regards
serpenttongue.

serpenttongue · #3 20-Mar-05, 12:21 PM

This is one diamond back in Nov before being treated. This was taken on a cool morning.

serpenttongue · #4 20-Mar-05, 12:23 PM

This is the diamond that was treated 4 times and is now getting antibiotic injections. Note how the neck stretches out tight.

serpenttongue · #5 20-Mar-05, 12:26 PM

Okay this photo is of one of the diamonds that was treated once in Nov with a complete recovery. This pic was taken this morning.

serpenttongue · #6 20-Mar-05, 12:28 PM

Another of the same diamond. Mouth is clean, throat clear and no signs of respiratory infection.

serpenttongue · #7 20-Mar-05, 12:30 PM

So if anyone can help me i would appreciate it. Does anyone know of medications that will be more effective than Flagyll ? Anything.......

playwell · #8 20-Mar-05, 12:34 PM

Oh man you are scaring me, I hope not to have the same experience with mine.

Please keep us informed about what you learn from your vet.

serpenttongue · #9 20-Mar-05, 07:51 PM

Anyone?

childreni_440 · #10 20-Mar-05, 07:55 PM

I think it could be a thing called Amoebae. Does the skin around the neck look like retained scales or a burn?

childreni_440 · #11 20-Mar-05, 07:55 PM

ps whats thier feaces like?

bigguy · #12 20-Mar-05, 08:01 PM

St, Sorry to hear about the infection. Talk to your vet about Sulpur Based Drugs. These can sometimes help with nasty protozoan infections like you are experiencing. Are you seeing Mike Cannon. He is the most experienced reptile vet in your area.

craig · #13 20-Mar-05, 08:57 PM

that was the position my female integrade was in when i found he dead. the post mortum will reveal wat happened i'll keep you up dated.

soulweaver · #14 20-Mar-05, 09:06 PM

sorry to see this happening, please keep us updated with what happens as i am interested to learn.

hope the vet gets you a full recovery.

regards SW

serpenttongue · #15 21-Mar-05, 04:31 PM

Childreni 440, the faeces from these pythons are perfect and theres no problem with their neck scales/skin.

Bigguy, yes i always see Mike Cannon. He's doing his best to help me but i think we're both realizing that we're coming to a dead end. We're simply running out of ideas as to what to do. We're definately fighting the problem, we're just not curing it.I've even contacted Dave Barker several times but that hasnt helped much. Many thanks for your advice.

Craig i hope you do find out how your snake died for your peace of mind, but often post mortems reveal nothing.

Regards
serpenttongue.