Changes

As with other problems of snakes, history-taking is critical for diagnosis. Signalment information can help determine the cause since many neurological diseases are more prevalent in certain taxa. Husbandry information will help to determine whether the nervous system is involved specifically or secondarily.  Clinical signs of neurological disease in snakes vary from very subtle to severe. There may be only a mild decrease in activity and a drop off in appetite. More obvious signs include disorientation, incoordination, loss of righting reflex, paresis, paralysis, head tremors, opisthotonous and convulsions.

As with other problems of snakes, history-taking is critical for diagnosis. Signalment information can help determine the cause since many neurological diseases are more prevalent in certain taxa. Husbandry information will help to determine whether the nervous system is involved specifically or secondarily.  Clinical signs of neurological disease in snakes vary from very subtle to severe. There may be only a mild decrease in activity and a drop off in appetite. More obvious signs include disorientation, incoordination, loss of righting reflex, paresis, paralysis, head tremors, opisthotonous and convulsions.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

The aetiology of neurological disease can be suggested by signalment. Inclusion body disease (IBD) is almost always seen in Boidae. Ophidian paramyxovirus (OPMV) occurs principally in Viperidae. Hypothiaminosis is common in fish-eating snakes such as garter snakes.  Disorientation and sluggishness may be attributed to a wide variety of causes but may be simply caused by an inappropriate environmental temperature.  Physical examination may rule out cases of trauma.  The use of diagnostic aids may identify the cause. Radiography may reveal fractures. Haematology may indicate an infectious cause. Serology may identify OPMV. Response to thiamine is diagnostic for hypothiaminosis. Sometimes though the aetiology is only found on necropsy. Perivascular cuffing in CNS issue may be associated with viral infections.

The aetiology of neurological disease can be suggested by signalment. Inclusion body disease (IBD) is almost always seen in Boidae. Ophidian paramyxovirus (OPMV) occurs principally in Viperidae. Hypothiaminosis is common in fish-eating snakes such as garter snakes.  Disorientation and sluggishness may be attributed to a wide variety of causes but may be simply caused by an inappropriate environmental temperature.  Physical examination may rule out cases of trauma.  The use of diagnostic aids may identify the cause: radiography may reveal fractures, haematology may indicate an infectious cause, and serology may identify OPMV. Response to thiamine is diagnostic for hypothiaminosis. However sometimes the aetiology is only found upon necropsy. Perivascular cuffing in CNS issue may be associated with viral infections.

 

==Therapy==

==Therapy==

Treatment of neurological disease involves both supportive care and aetiology related therapy.  Some forms of neurological disease such as trauma may require up to one year of supportive care before snakes will begin to take prey spontaneously. Months of supportive are often required for neurological deficits to restore but in many cases they may never heal. In some cases euthanasia is probably the most humane act.  Aetiology related therapy may not be possible in many cases.

Treatment of neurological disease involves both supportive care and aetiology related therapy.  Some forms of neurological disease such as trauma may require up to one year of supportive care before snakes will begin to take prey spontaneously. Months of supportive are often required for neurological deficits to restore but in many cases they may never heal. In some cases euthanasia is probably the most humane act.  Aetiology related therapy may not be possible in many cases.