Changes

Snakes are able to '''synthesize''' vitamin C, but not necessarily in large enough quantities. To remedy this, snakes have adopted [[Snake Feeding and Digestion|feeding habits]] that allow them to make up this '''deficit''':

Snakes are able to '''synthesize''' vitamin C, but not necessarily in large enough quantities. To remedy this, snakes have adopted [[Snake Feeding and Digestion|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'''.  

In the wild, snake select '''healthy prey''' so that they consume the normal content of that animals alimentary system (including vitamins) when they 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==

==Clinical Signs==

==Prevention==

==Prevention==

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

Vitamin C deficiency can be prevented by ensuring any '''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.  

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.  

[[Category: To Do - Siobhan Brade]]

[[Category:To Do - Manson review]]

[[Category:Snake Diseases]]

[[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]