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DEHYDRATION?
- Thread starter luvmycorn
- Start date
Dehydration can manifest in a few forms.
- Constipation,
- ribs/bones being more noticeable.
- Bad sheds could indicate lack of moisture in the air or body.
- snake feeling really "light" when it normally doesn't.
- lethargy, irritability.
- the list goes on...
- Regurge can cause dehydration and a "negative meal syndrome" in which digestive fluids for the current and coming meal are vomitted up, causing the snake to become dehydrated among other things.
Avoiding dehydration:
- Keep fresh water topped up.
- keep humidity levels correct. place water bowl over heat pad to increase ambient moisture.
- some provide a moist hide.
- spray when needed.
- have a digital humidity gauge for a proper reading.
- read, read, read about good husbandry practices here and in books.
- Corns get a lot of thier fluids from thier meal as well. Some towel off thier thawed mouse but I don't. I make 'em snap it up just this side of dripping to give them extra water.
Alright, someone else can fill in my gaps. This flu is killing me...
- Constipation,
- ribs/bones being more noticeable.
- Bad sheds could indicate lack of moisture in the air or body.
- snake feeling really "light" when it normally doesn't.
- lethargy, irritability.
- the list goes on...
- Regurge can cause dehydration and a "negative meal syndrome" in which digestive fluids for the current and coming meal are vomitted up, causing the snake to become dehydrated among other things.
Avoiding dehydration:
- Keep fresh water topped up.
- keep humidity levels correct. place water bowl over heat pad to increase ambient moisture.
- some provide a moist hide.
- spray when needed.
- have a digital humidity gauge for a proper reading.
- read, read, read about good husbandry practices here and in books.
- Corns get a lot of thier fluids from thier meal as well. Some towel off thier thawed mouse but I don't. I make 'em snap it up just this side of dripping to give them extra water.
Alright, someone else can fill in my gaps. This flu is killing me...
Kokopelli
Resident Boa Fanatic
The most common and noticeable indication is slow capillar refill(the blood vessels closest to the extremities). The snake's skin will be baggy, dry and loose- admittedly it is harder to see in reptiles and far easier to see in mammals but generally it's a solid indication. (according to my studies and experience at least).
All the other Symptoms are also correct, but are more general I -think- and can indicate to other things as well.
At any rate it is easily avoided as Tracy said so I suggest following her advice through. (just remember -not- to overdo the humidity with a Cornsnake, mine get by with just a water dish. Maybe in America the humidity is lower... I don't know)
All the other Symptoms are also correct, but are more general I -think- and can indicate to other things as well.
At any rate it is easily avoided as Tracy said so I suggest following her advice through. (just remember -not- to overdo the humidity with a Cornsnake, mine get by with just a water dish. Maybe in America the humidity is lower... I don't know)
wade
Save The Humans
luvmycorn, let's take a step back here. I should be pointed out that dehydration in corn snakes is very unusual and not something that everyone should be looking for each morning. If you practice good husbandry you will never see it.
If you have a temperature gradient from say 85* to 75* degrees, and you have a water bowl that is always available that is big enough for the snake to get in if it so desires, you will never see a dehydrated snake and you can quite worrying.
Snakes are pretty good at taking care of them selves. If you provide the necessary tools for them to do that they will. If it is dry or having a problem shed, the snake will soak itself if there is a bowl for it to get in. If he is cold he will seek heat if there is heat to be found. Sometimes we over think things.
We experienced snake owners need to slow down and not jump to conclusions based on not much information and no pictures.
If you have a temperature gradient from say 85* to 75* degrees, and you have a water bowl that is always available that is big enough for the snake to get in if it so desires, you will never see a dehydrated snake and you can quite worrying.
Snakes are pretty good at taking care of them selves. If you provide the necessary tools for them to do that they will. If it is dry or having a problem shed, the snake will soak itself if there is a bowl for it to get in. If he is cold he will seek heat if there is heat to be found. Sometimes we over think things.
We experienced snake owners need to slow down and not jump to conclusions based on not much information and no pictures.