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[[Image:Steth_crop.jpg|400px|thumb|right|(Copyright © RVC)]]

[[Image:Steth_crop.jpg|400px|thumb|right|(Copyright © RVC)]]

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Examination of the coelomic cavity is possible in most small snakes by palpating ventrally between the ends of the ribs.  Large snakes are difficult to palpate because of their musculature.  There should be no palpable swellings and if they do occur their position can indicate the organ involved.  The heart can be palpated in the cranial third and the liver lies at a distance caudally in boids and colubrids because of their caudal lung.  Caudal to the liver the gall bladder can be palpated on the ventral midline.  It is possible to palpate the ingesta in healthy snakes while anorexic individuals will feel empty of doughy.

Examination of the coelomic cavity is possible in most small snakes by palpating ventrally between the ends of the ribs.  Large snakes are difficult to palpate because of their musculature.  There should be no palpable swellings and if they do occur their position can indicate the organ involved.  The heart can be palpated in the cranial third and the liver lies at a distance caudally in boids and colubrids because of their caudal lung.  Caudal to the liver the gall bladder can be palpated on the ventral midline.  It is possible to palpate the ingesta in healthy snakes while anorexic individuals will feel empty of doughy.

==Vent and tail==

==Vent and tail==

The [[Cloaca|cloaca]] can be examined very simply by using a otoscope or endoscope.  Check for [[Oedema - Pathology|oedema]], erythema, discharge and swellings.  Check the vent for any soiling which may be due to parasitic infection of the large intestine.  Make a faecal smear if possible.  Examine the tail for retained sloughed skin, lumps and other deformities.

The [[Cloaca|cloaca]] can be examined very simply by using a otoscope or endoscope.  Check for [[Oedema|oedema]], erythema, discharge and swellings.  Check the vent for any soiling which may be due to parasitic infection of the large intestine.  Make a faecal smear if possible.  Examine the tail for retained sloughed skin, lumps and other deformities.

[[Image:Sexing_snakes.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Sexing snakes''' (Copyright © RVC)]]

[[Image:Sexing_snakes.jpg|200px|thumb|right|'''Sexing snakes''' (Copyright © RVC)]]

==Sexing/Probing==

==Sexing/Probing==

'''See also''' [[Snake Necropsy]].

'''See also''' [[Snake Necropsy]].

==Literature Search==

[[File:CABI logo.jpg|left|90px]]

|full text = [http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2009/20093018977.pdf ''' Let your fingers do the walking: how to restrain and examine snakes.''' Diaz-Figueroa, O.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Volume 22, Orlando, Florida, USA, 2008, 2008, pp 1746-1748, 1 ref.]  

[http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2009/20093118385.pdf '''Neurologic examination in reptiles - Part II: Localizing neurologic dysfunction.''' Bennett, R. A.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA, 17-21 January, 2009, 2009, pp 1768-1769]

[http://www.cabi.org/cabdirect/FullTextPDF/2009/20093118384.pdf '''Neurologic examination in reptiles - Part I: Cranial nerve examination.''' Bennett, R. A.; The North American Veterinary Conference, Gainesville, USA, Small animal and exotics. Proceedings of the North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, Florida, USA, 17-21 January, 2009, 2009, pp 1766-1767 - '''Full Text Article''']

==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|C]]

[[Category:Snake Examination|C]]