Changes

An important part of supportive care is the provision of adequate nutrition. This involves determination of the energy requirements and the method of administration. Protein should also be supplied at 4-5 g per 100 kcal. Once the patient is rehydrated nutritional support can be initiated. It is generally recommended that nutritional support be provided to a patient that has lost 10% bodyweight acutely or 20% chronically. Food can be in the form of whole prey or commercial nutritional preparations. Cat and dog foods are not recommended due to the high content of non-animal protein.

An important part of supportive care is the provision of adequate nutrition. This involves determination of the energy requirements and the method of administration. Protein should also be supplied at 4-5 g per 100 kcal. Once the patient is rehydrated nutritional support can be initiated. It is generally recommended that nutritional support be provided to a patient that has lost 10% bodyweight acutely or 20% chronically. Food can be in the form of whole prey or commercial nutritional preparations. Cat and dog foods are not recommended due to the high content of non-animal protein.

====Determination of requirements====

====Determination of requirements====

The basal metabolic rate for snakes kept at 30°C can be calculated from bodyweight using the following formula: Kcal/day = 32kg0.76. Energy requirements increase above the basal metabolic rate due to activity, reproduction, growth and sickness. The basal metabolic rate is multiplied by a factor to reflect these energy requirements. For a convalescing snake (stressed, sick, burnt etc) this is about 2.  Convalescing snakes can be fed whole prey (chicks and rodents) that can be blenderised or commercial preparations (Vetark’s Critical Care Formulation and Hill’s AD). These can be mixed with fluid such as lactated ringers or saline. Here is the amount needed per day to supply the calories necessary for convalescence.

The basal metabolic rate for snakes kept at 30°C can be calculated from bodyweight using the following formula: Kcal/day = 32kg0.76. Energy requirements increase above the basal metabolic rate due to activity, reproduction, growth and sickness. The basal metabolic rate is multiplied by a factor to reflect these energy requirements. For a convalescing snake (stressed, sick, burnt etc) this is about 2.  Convalescing snakes can be fed whole prey (chicks and rodents) that can be blenderised or commercial preparations (Vetark’s Critical Care Formulation and Hill’s AD). These can be mixed with fluid such as lactated ringers or saline.

 

====Method of administration====

====Method of administration====

It is obviously worthwhile trying to coax the snake to take the prey that is offered – try gently slapping the prey against the side of the snake’s head. If this fails nutritional support by involuntary means will be necessary.  Snakes can be force-fed with either whole prey or commercial nutritional support preparations. Whole prey can be lubricated and passed nose first through a mouth pried open. The prey is then milked down the oesophagus. This may be stressful. Alternatively, blenderised whole prey or commercial preparations can fed through an orogastric tube. Both procedures can be done under light sedation.

It is obviously worthwhile trying to coax the snake to take the prey that is offered – try gently slapping the prey against the side of the snake’s head. If this fails nutritional support by involuntary means will be necessary.  Snakes can be force-fed with either whole prey or commercial nutritional support preparations. Whole prey can be lubricated and passed nose first through a mouth pried open. The prey is then milked down the oesophagus. This may be stressful. Alternatively, blenderised whole prey or commercial preparations can fed through an orogastric tube. Both procedures can be done under light sedation.