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Snake Neurological Diseases (view source)
Revision as of 09:14, 20 August 2010
, 09:14, 20 August 2010no edit summary
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
The aetiology of neurological disease can be suggested by signalment. [[Inclusion Body Disease|Inclusion body disease (IBD)]] is almost always seen in [[Boidae]]. [[Ophidian Paramyxovirus|Ophidian paramyxovirus]] (OPMV) occurs principally in [[Viperidae]]. Hypothiaminosis is common in fish-eating snakes such as [[Garter Snake|garter snakes]]. Disorientation and sluggishness may be attributed to a wide variety of causes but may be simply caused by an inappropriate environmental temperature. [[Snake Physical Examination|Physical examination]] may rule out cases of trauma. The use of diagnostic aids may identify the cause: [[Lizard and Snake Imaging|radiography]] may reveal fractures, [[Lizard and Snake Haematology|haematology]] may indicate an infectious cause, and serology may identify [[Ophidian Paramyxovirus|OPMV]]. Response to thiamine is diagnostic for [[Snake Hypothiaminosis|hypothiaminosis]]. However sometimes the aetiology is only found upon [[Snake Necropsy|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|Inclusion body disease (IBD)]] is almost always seen in [[Boidae]]. [[Ophidian Paramyxovirus|Ophidian paramyxovirus]] (OPMV) occurs principally in [[Viperidae]]. Hypothiaminosis is common in fish-eating snakes such as [[Garter Snake|garter snakes]]. Disorientation and sluggishness may be attributed to a wide variety of causes but may be simply caused by an inappropriate environmental temperature. [[Snake Physical Examination|Physical examination]] may rule out cases of trauma. The use of diagnostic aids may identify the cause: [[Lizard and Snake Imaging|radiography]] may reveal fractures, [[Lizard and Snake Haematology|haematology]] may indicate an infectious cause, and serology may identify [[Ophidian Paramyxovirus|OPMV]]. Response to thiamine is diagnostic for [[Snake Hypothiaminosis|hypothiaminosis]]. However sometimes the aetiology is only found upon [[Snake Necropsy|necropsy]]. Perivascular cuffing in CNS issue may be associated with viral infections.
==Causes of neurological disease==
==Causes of neurological disease==
*'''Behavioural''' - Aggressive behaviour may be normal in some species such as [[Anaconda|anacondas]]. However, aggression in large [[Python|pythons]] has been associated with sudden changes in the [[Snake Diet|diet]]. Some large pythons also become conditioned to become aggressive by some feeding techniques.
*'''Behavioural''' - Aggressive behaviour may be normal in some species such as [[Anaconda|anacondas]]. However, aggression in large [[Python|pythons]] has been associated with sudden changes in the [[Snake Diet|diet]]. Some large pythons also become conditioned to become aggressive by some feeding techniques.
==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 care are often required for neurological deficits to repair but in many cases they may never be restored to full function. In some cases [[Lizard and Snake Euthanasia|euthanasia]] is probably the most humane act. Aetiology related therapy may not be possible in many cases.
'''For more information, see''' [[Snake Supportive Care]].
==Prevention==
Attention to diet and husbandry is usually the most important part of disease prevention.
'''For further information, see''' [[Snake Feeding and Digestion]] '''and''' [[Snake Housing]].
[[Category:Snake_Diseases]]
[[Category:Snake_Diseases]]