Hypovitaminosis C - Reptiles

Introduction

Hypovitaminosis C is a rare condition that occurs in the snake. It is normally a consequence of an inappropriate diet.

Snakes are able to synthesize vitamin C, but not necessarily in large enough quantities. To remedy this, snakes have adopted feeding habits that allow them to make up this deficit:

In the wild, snake select healthy prey so that they consume the normal content of that animals alimentary system (including vitamins) when the eat them. In the case of rodent prey, vitamin C synthesis occurs in the gut. So for vitamin C to be present in the rodents gut, and therefore absorbed by the snake, the rodent must have recently eaten.

Clinical Signs

The snake will normally present with skin lacerations. These occur spontaneously when the skin of the snake is stretched (ie when it is swallowing prey).

Treatment

Any skin wounds should be cleaned, debrided and sutured closed. Vitamin C injections are also required daily until levels return to normal.

Prevention

Vitamin C deficiency can be prevented by ensuring any live/recently killed rodent prey have been fed before feeding them to the snake.

If dead/defrosted rodents are fed to the snake then these carcasses should be supplemented with vitamin C. This is achieved by injecting the carcass with sodium ascorbate, or by placing part of a vitamin C tablet into the carcass before feeding to the snake.

Hypovitaminosis C - Reptiles Learning Resources
Flashcards Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions	Reptiles and Amphibians Q&A 15

References

Frye, FL & Williams, DL (1995) Self-Assessment Colour Review - Reptiles & Amphibians Manson