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*'''Caudal third''' - contains the small intestine, the triad of pancreas, spleen and gallbladder, the adrenal glands, large intestine, gonads, reproductive tract, kidneys, fat body and [[Cloaca|cloaca]]. Behind the [[Vent|vent]] are the musk and, if the snake is a male, the [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]].
*'''Caudal third''' - contains the small intestine, the triad of pancreas, spleen and gallbladder, the adrenal glands, large intestine, gonads, reproductive tract, kidneys, fat body and [[Cloaca|cloaca]]. Behind the [[Vent|vent]] are the musk and, if the snake is a male, the [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]].
'''Find out more about snake anatomy in sections covering the''' [[Snake Digestive System|digestive]], [[Snake Respiratory System|respiratory]] '''and''' [[Snake Reproductive System|reproductive]] '''systems'''.
==Skin==
==Skin==
[[Image:0051_BLISTER_DISEASE_PYTHON_ed.jpg|250px|thumb|right|'''Blisters on skin''' ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]
[[Image:0051_BLISTER_DISEASE_PYTHON_ed.jpg|250px|thumb|right|'''Blisters on skin''' ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]
Check the general appearance of the skin. The skin should be bright and shiny. Assess elasticity and skin tenting. Dehydrated snakes show outwardly directed folds of skin and [[Snake Dysecdysis|dysecdysis]]. Examine the skin both dorsally and ventrally for retained shed, blisters, pustules, burns, discharges, erythema, pettechi, ulcers, loss of scales, lacerations and swellings. Examine for ectoparasites, especially [[Snake Mites|mites]] that tend to hide under scales of the skin. Brushing the body of the snake over a white sheet may be helpful in checking for mites. The snake's body can be palpated by simply moving the hand, both dorsally and ventrally, down its length. Identify any [[Snake Lumps and Bumps|masses and swellings]] under the skin. Subcutaneous lumps are usually due to abscesses but neoplasia and the second-stage cysts of cestodes can also be encountered in snakes.
Check the general appearance of the skin. The skin should be bright and shiny. Assess elasticity and skin tenting. Dehydrated snakes show outwardly directed folds of skin and [[Snake Dysecdysis|dysecdysis]]. Examine the skin both dorsally and ventrally for retained shed, blisters, pustules, burns, discharges, erythema, pettechi, ulcers, loss of scales, lacerations and swellings. Examine for ectoparasites, especially [[Snake Mites|mites]] that tend to hide under scales of the skin. Brushing the body of the snake over a white sheet may be helpful in checking for mites. The snake's body can be palpated by simply moving the hand, both dorsally and ventrally, down its length. Identify any [[Snake Lumps and Bumps|masses and swellings]] under the skin. Subcutaneous lumps are usually due to abscesses but neoplasia and the second-stage cysts of cestodes can also be encountered in snakes.
Find out more about [[Snake Skin|snake skin]].
'''Find out more about [[Snake Skin|snake skin]]'''.
[[Image:Boa_with_dys_ed.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Dysecdysis''' ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]
[[Image:Boa_with_dys_ed.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Dysecdysis''' ©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved]]
==Sexing/Probing==
==Sexing/Probing==
The snake is positioned so that the [[Vent|vent]] is easily accessible. A smooth lubricated blunt-tipped probe is inserted caudally through the vent. In males the probes enters the [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]] (10-12 scale rows) while in females it may enter the musk glands (2-3 scale rows). Take care since rough use of probes can cause damage. In females it is possible to perforate the musk gland and allow the probe to slide in as far as it would in a male snake.
The snake is positioned so that the [[Vent|vent]] is easily accessible. A smooth lubricated blunt-tipped probe is inserted caudally through the vent. In males the probes enters the [[Hemipenes|hemipenes]] (10-12 scale rows) while in females it may enter the musk glands (2-3 scale rows). Take care since rough use of probes can cause damage. In females it is possible to perforate the musk gland and allow the probe to slide in as far as it would in a male snake.
'''See also''' [[Snake Necropsy]].
==References==
==References==
Fowler, M.E. and Miller, R.E. (2003). Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine. Saunders, 5th Edition. pp. 84. ISBN 0-7216-9499-3
Fowler, M.E. and Miller, R.E. (2003). Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine. Saunders, 5th Edition. pp. 84. ISBN 0-7216-9499-3
[[Category:Snake Examination]]
[[Category:Snake Examination]]