Changes

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

The aetiology of neurological disease can be suggested by signalment. 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 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 hypothiaminosis. However sometimes the aetiology is only found upon [[Snake Necropsy|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 care are often required for neurological deficits to restore but in many cases they may never heal. In some cases [[Lizard and Snake Euthanasia|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 care are often required for neurological deficits to restore but in many cases they may never heal. In some cases [[Lizard and Snake Euthanasia|euthanasia]] is probably the most humane act.  Aetiology related therapy may not be possible in many cases.