corn snake hasn't ate for a month

[jakkipaige]

Hello all

I just recently bought a 4 year old adult female corn snake, she is fully grown about 5 ft maybe just shy of it. The owners I bought her off told me she's ready to shed, hasn't ate for a month (due to a live mouse being in her terrarium for that period of time.) When I got her her cage was absolutely filthy, it looked like it hadn't been cleaned in about 4 months at least. I cleaned it, I got the humidity to about 50-60% and now just getting the right tempature down for her. She seems happier loving the basking light. However her eyes are cloudy, and still haven't seen any sign of her shedding. I'm worried cause she hasn't ate for a month and I don't want to feed her if she's going to shed. I'm going to let the proper climate do its work for a couple more days before I do feed her.
She also has 2 abscesses on one near her tail and one around her upper part of her body. I've been putting mineral oil and kids polysporn on it to sooth and try and heal. They have been going down thankfully.

I'm just wondering what I should do. I'm worried about her not eating but I am thrilled she is moving more and seems a lot more happy. I mean the owners before didn't even have a water dish for her. She's been drinking like mad, and I have actually been giving her fresh water twice a day since she's bathing in it quite a bit. She has a VERY shiny coat to her, and it hasn't seemed to be getting any duller over the 4 days I've had her. Any one know or have suggestions of what I should do?

[kaypar2011]

Her eyes will clear up then she will shed a few days after they are clear. I would wait for her to shed before feeding her.

[epicdoom]

I would make a vet appt. for her. I do a lot of rescue and it sounds to me like you surely Rescued that poor little girl. Kudos for doing that and taking it knowing it has problems is even better of you. I cant tell you how angry I get with people who get animals and then don't take care of them. Makes me wish assult was something you put on your food to make it taste good. the cloudy eyes sounds like shed. but the shinny skin doesn't fit the norm. she may not be eating because of the abscesses. the bathing and drinking could be dehydration I'm sure she is if she had no water bowl. Are you seeing any mites in her water bowl?

[Pugsley]

I hope you got the mouse out of there! Never put live mice in with a snake. I'm wondering if the abscesses are the result of bites from the mouse. Do you know how long these people had the snake?

Also, pictures of the snake can help greatly.

[jakkipaige]

I haven't seen mites I don't want to handle her too much she's already agitated at the move nd me medicating her abscesses and they have gone down. I'll check the water bowl again and give her a check up a close up on her, I just want to know whether it's a she'd or if she's I'll. I mean she's already ten times better since I've gotten her but I don't think I can trust what those two told me. I'll go to a reptile expert there's one near me before I take her to the vet I had a vet actually recommend me do that oh the poor girl Not to forget to mention they put a regular house light bulb in her heat lamp :/

[jakkipaige]

alright I posted pics of the abscesses, however that is what they were like before I started treatment. Like I said her eyes aren't as foggy as they were before I got her and she hasn't shed. I checked her water and her body for any signs of mites and I can't see any signs of them. I'm religious on keeping her dish of water clean and her terrarium. I know she's had a much better attitude since I've grabbed her, proper environment and all. I'm just wondering if I should try to feed her. I don't think I can go by what the old owners said by saying she's ready to shed. I think her foggy eyes had to do with her being mis cared for.

[jakkipaige]

she's an absolutely beautiful snake though :) and her names corn flake.

[Clickslither]

Yeah those look pretty bite-like. If a mouse was actually left in her cage for an entire month I am surprised she is even alive, that mouse must have been ready to eat anything.

[jakkipaige]

Yeah those look pretty bite-like. If a mouse was actually left in her cage for an entire month I am surprised she is even alive, that mouse must have been ready to eat anything.

I'm so mad at the stupidity of her old owners.... who leaves a live mouse in the cage with a snake. trying to get that thing out was a disaster, cause whenever i went to reach in to grab corn flake out (didn't want the mouse to run and bite her as i tried to catch it) the mouse would try to dart up my arm and out of the cage. I actually had pin it with a box eventually.

I'm using children's polysporn and a natural mineral oil as a natural layer to help keep anything from getting in it. its working really well so far, they aren't as bad as they used to be. Does anyone have any other suggestion for treatment?

[diamondlil]

Congratulations on rescuing her! I'd suggest you weigh her and then do so weekly at the moment so you will know if she's losing weight. Have you tried her with a hot thawed rat pup or day-old chick? If she's been refusing mice, it may take a different prey item to get her eating again

[jakkipaige]

Congratulations on rescuing her! I'd suggest you weigh her and then do so weekly at the moment so you will know if she's losing weight. Have you tried her with a hot thawed rat pup or day-old chick? If she's been refusing mice, it may take a different prey item to get her eating again

right now I'm just waiting to see if she's shedding. I'll give it a couple days, her skin isn't loose, and I'm getting a scale to weigh her tomorrow, and then keep track from there! Since i have no prior knowledge of her last 4 years. I just got her 2 good sized frozen jump mice. She's been eating live, but as you see the marks on her body, if those are bite marks i don't blame her for not wanting to eat live. So give a couple days, If i see no progression of shedding, I will put her in her feeding terrarium.

I just wish I knew what her eyes looked like before they were foggy.

[yojoe05]

Like some other people said the abscesses may be what's causing her not to feed. The fact that you're taking care of those is the first step to her healthy recovery. If they're as large and swollen as they look in the pictures then it could cause some internal swelling as well which may be the cause to her not feeding. Hopefully she'll shed here in a few days that or I'd start getting worried over eye problems as well considering what you've already said about the previous owners and how they took care of her.

[jakkipaige]

so thats what her eyes look like now, and those are some marks i found on her body!!!
unfortunately when i did the photo op. she decided to poop on my bed. I'm glad she pooped though!

[AliCat37]

With the snows, since you haven't had her for a long time, it will be hard to tell if she is in shed. I find that their eyes get pale, rather than blue. I think you might have luck getting her to eat f/t within the first few times you offer her food. I find that making sure the mice are dry and fuzzy will get live feeders to switch over faster. Good job rescuing her!

[kathylove]

I can't tell much from the photos, but it looks like so far, so good. It usually takes around a week (more or less) after the eyes clear up before shedding. I agree that you should wait until after the shed to offer food. If she eats, and the bites (or whatever they are) don't look WORSE, then I would just continue to keep her clean, well fed, and observe for problems. If she doesn't eat, it doesn't NECESSARILY mean problems, but eating is a great sign that she doesn't feel TOO bad to do so. The appetite is often the first thing to go when a snake doesn't feel well.

It never hurts to see a QUALIFIED herp vet. But if she eats, she is probably not in extreme danger. And it won't be long until she sheds. You might put some damp moss in her hide box so she can shed easily, since homes in winter are usually dry.

Good luck!

[jakkipaige]

I can't tell much from the photos, but it looks like so far, so good. It usually takes around a week (more or less) after the eyes clear up before shedding. I agree that you should wait until after the shed to offer food. If she eats, and the bites (or whatever they are) don't look WORSE, then I would just continue to keep her clean, well fed, and observe for problems. If she doesn't eat, it doesn't NECESSARILY mean problems, but eating is a great sign that she doesn't feel TOO bad to do so. The appetite is often the first thing to go when a snake doesn't feel well.

It never hurts to see a QUALIFIED herp vet. But if she eats, she is probably not in extreme danger. And it won't be long until she sheds. You might put some damp moss in her hide box so she can shed easily, since homes in winter are usually dry.

Good luck!


Thank you Cathy, I've just been extremely religious with keeping the humidity between 50% and 60% for her, and making sure she has a proper cool side and warm side. Her warm side is around 80 85 and her cool side is at 60 65.

Since I got her I had to sink a lot more money then planned right off the bat so I have to wait till i get some money together to get some extra stuff, what I do have is natural mineral oil for her if I see her shed and theres issues. the one on her tail is what worries me, I was taking a look at it and putting some mineral oil on it to get a natural barrier going, and she pooped. so maybe now that she has done that the lump won't be there anymore. I found it looked worse cause it was kinda stretched. I'll keep her good and clean and i wish I would have got pics of her eyes before. they almost looked a dull pink when I got her and she was lazy, didn't move. now she's scoots around pretty well. She won't climb cause of the marks on her though.I've had her for 5 days and she hasn't shed for a month or ate for a month with the info I have on her.

I just don't want her to be hungry and not have a shed. I called a reptile expert in my town and said I will monitor it. When i get paid if it doesn't clear up the I am def. taking her in.

[jakkipaige]

Kathy*

oopsies!!

[diamondlil]

She's got pretty good body condition, so I don't think missing a few meals should be a problem at the moment. You're doing a great job with her

[Alicia P]

Would a warm water soak help her shed come along? Is salt harmful to snakes? Gargling salt water is good for a sore throat, would adding a little salt to a warm water soak be beneficial for her wounds?

[Alicia P]

Sorry if those are dumb questions :)

[AliCat37]

Would a warm water soak help her shed come along? Is salt harmful to snakes? Gargling salt water is good for a sore throat, would adding a little salt to a warm water soak be beneficial for her wounds?

I don't think that salt water would hurt, but make sure the water isn't actually warm. Room temp is great, maybe around 78-80 degrees if you can find a thermometer :)

[jakkipaige]

thanks everyone for the words of encouragement. She has warm water in her bowl at all times.

Thanks diamondlil I'm really trying to give her a better life then she had. She seems to be appreciating it besides taking a poop on my bed but she hates when i put ointment on her. So might have been revenge haha. I'm just glad her eyes are clearing up and her marks (whether bites) are getting a bit better. I think they were bites i mean she had a mouse with her for a month that was live..

[jakkipaige]

and by warm i mean not cold but not hot

[susang]

I would suggest paper towel or newspaper while she has abcess or wounds. The bedding you're use could cause irritation. I would also suggest a red light if you are using light for heat. Corn snakes don't need a basking light as such. Just out of curiousity was she housed with another snake?

[epicdoom]

She is Beautiful Why would anyone be so cruel to any animal even more so a beautiful little girl like her. Hopefully her stress lvl is coming down and she will be ready to eat for you soon.

[jakkipaige]

Ya I was thinking that I might just put a nice bed sheet down she loves them but I won't use newspaper it molds and I don't like the idea of the ink in a humid environment I think it would seep.i just don't want to ruin her humidity level by getting rid of substrate cause since I got the humidity right she's been more active

[jakkipaige]

@epicdoom

I know her personality is just the topping on the cake she loves to play in my hair the cutest thing is she gives little kisses to my nose haha

[jakkipaige]

Just want to say I put a bed shed down over her substrate so that it doesn't irritate or let it get dirt inside it, she doesn't seem to mind too much. I honestly don't think she's ready to shed.... so i'm a little concerned... maybe I will take her to the vet...and I have yet to see mites in her water dish, but I can't tell if she has them on her, i'm still debating whether these are bite marks from the mouse or mites as well. She was touchy today when I touched one of her soars. but i think its cause the substrate wasn't rubbing nicely on it so maybe this bed sheet will make it easier for her to move around.

I'm just really concerned for her. I'm glad I rescued her but i had no idea it was gonna take this much to get her well again. my poor corn flake :(

[gsdbecca]

I'm sorry you are going through so much, but so glad she has you. I'm sure that soon this will all be behind you two!

[epicdoom]

if she is spending time in the water bowl you should find mites dead in there if she has them they will be little black specs in the water look closely around her eyes they like to gather there. a good way to see them is take a close up picture of her eyes transfer them to the computer and expand the pics zoom in if you will this is my best bet to see them with my aging eyes lol not seeing any in the water bowl is a good sign. I know your having problems with her but don't give up she will be worth the effort. You don't seem like anything would deter you from seeing it through. She is lucky to have someone who cares for her such as you. It's easy to get discouraged and even mad when they don't do what you know they should especially when you have done everything under the sun to help them. Just keep your head up and remember she's been through a lot and may be traumatized for a bit till she settles in.

[jakkipaige]

thanks :) that means a lot. she's loving the bed sheet though, she better its 900 thread count hahaha. my only bed sheet ugh life of a student! I think i will try to feed her, i don't think she's near shed. I've been waiting and waiting and waiting and nothing no sign of shed. its been a week since I've had her. I think her cloudy eyes are more about her being mistreated then anything and ill. well the specs in the water are actually just her substrate i pick them out and examine them

but if she does get mites, can anyone tell me the best treatment for it?

[jakkipaige]

i'd never get rid of her, i have become way to fond of her! plus i don't think i could find someone I trust to take her!

[jakkipaige]

Hey update for everyone on corn flake!! She's finally shedding!! Not all I. One piece buy in big chunks!!! So I'm going to use some mineral oil to help if I notice she's havin issues to shed any more!! So happy!! Now I get to test to see if she will eat!

[Alicia P]

Yaaayyyy!!!!!

[epicdoom]

awesome news one hurdle down keep us posted on her feeding.

[jakkipaige]

any suggestions on the shed, she is shedding in pieces, and I know I need to help out if it doesnt come off all at once, should i wait a couple days into shed or should I do something now about it early on?

[Nanci]

There's a sticky at the top of this section...

[jakkipaige]

thanks i'm trying it right now, shes not to imppressed i just bought her a feeding container, so this is the first time shes probably had this treatment since live mice were just thrown in terrarium all the time. So shes adjusting to it, but she loves baths so hopefully this will help her out!