Changes

Dehydration is common in sick snakes so it is important that fluid therapy forms part of supportive care. Rehydration is imperative prior to nutritional support or drug therapy. Methods include water baths, oral fluid (using an orogastric tube) and parenteral fluid. Water baths three times daily are a simple way of helping rehydration. All fluids should be warmed to within the [[Preferred optimum temperature zone|POTZ]] prior to their use.

Dehydration is common in sick snakes so it is important that fluid therapy forms part of supportive care. Rehydration is imperative prior to nutritional support or drug therapy. Methods include water baths, oral fluid (using an orogastric tube) and parenteral fluid. Water baths three times daily are a simple way of helping rehydration. All fluids should be warmed to within the [[Preferred optimum temperature zone|POTZ]] prior to their use.

====Oral fluids====

====Oral fluids====

Fluids can be supplied to snakes by an orogastric tube e.g. a French catheter. The mouth is opened and a mouth gag applied. Try a cleaned old radiographic film with hole cut in the centre. The snake is held vertically. The lubricated tube can be passed through the hole of the radiographic film into the oesophagus and the snake’s mouth will not be damaged. The tube is then passed to the level of the stomach. The stomach volume is approximately 2% bodyweight so do not exceed this when administering fluids by stomach tube.

Fluids can be supplied to snakes by an orogastric tube (e.g. a French catheter). The mouth is opened and a mouth gag applied. Try a cleaned old radiographic film with a hole cut in the centre. The snake is held vertically. The lubricated tube can be passed through the hole of the radiographic film into the oesophagus and the snake’s mouth will not be damaged. The tube is then passed to the level of the stomach. The stomach volume is approximately 2% bodyweight so do not exceed this when administering fluids by stomach tube.

 

====Subcutaneous administration====

====Subcutaneous administration====

SC fluids are useful in mild to moderately dehydrated patients and those that will not allow oral access. Small volumes of fluids can be given. The best location is the lateral sinuses, which are located longitudinally between the epaxial muscles dorsally and the ribs ventrally.  

SC fluids are useful in mild to moderately dehydrated patients and those that will not allow oral access. Small volumes of fluids can be given. The best location is the lateral sinuses, which are located longitudinally between the epaxial muscles dorsally and the ribs ventrally.