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[[Image:Neurological_disease_Thamn_radix.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Hypothiaminosis usually leads to neurological signs''' - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]

[[Image:Neurological_disease_Thamn_radix.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Hypothiaminosis usually leads to neurological signs''' - ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]

Snakes are fed whole prey and therefore dietary problems are relatively uncommon other than in fish eating snakes, such as garter and dice snakes. These snakes, in captivity, have been fed on a variety of frozen white fish. Freezing not only decreases the amount of vitamins readily available, but may also, in certain situations, increase the amount of thiaminase activity.  

Snakes are fed whole prey and therefore dietary problems are relatively uncommon other than in fish eating snakes, such as garter and dice snakes. These snakes, in captivity, have been fed on a variety of frozen white fish. Freezing not only decreases the amount of vitamins readily available, but may also, in certain situations, increase the amount of thiaminase activity.  

Short term treatment is parenteral thiamine. Dramatic recovery from neurological signs can be seen with thiamine given at 25 mg/kg.  

Short term treatment is parenteral thiamine. Dramatic recovery from neurological signs can be seen with thiamine given at 25 mg/kg.  

==Prevention==

==Prevention==

Sometimes a more suitable diet can be found. Garter snakes can be encouraged to eat earthworms, pinkies or even cat food (may need to smear with whitebait). Heating fish in boiling water for two minutes (or five minutes at 80ºC) to denature the thiaminase can also be very effective. Finally the addition of thiamine to the fish diet is successful in preventing hypothiaminosis. [[Category:Snake Nutritional Diseases]]

Sometimes a more suitable diet can be found. Garter snakes can be encouraged to eat earthworms, pinkies or even cat food (may need to smear with whitebait). Heating fish in boiling water for two minutes (or five minutes at 80ºC) to denature the thiaminase can also be very effective. Finally the addition of thiamine to the fish diet is successful in preventing hypothiaminosis.  

 

 

[[Category:Snake Diseases]]

[[Category:To Do - Exotics]][[Category:To Do - Medium]]