Pet Snake Care in Oklahoma

Slithering into Wellness: The Ultimate Oklahoma Vet's Guide to Pet Snake Health

From the placid ball python to the vibrant corn snake, reptiles are slithering their way into the hearts and homes of many Oklahomans. As unique and fascinating companions, snakes require specialized care to thrive. Unlike our furry friends, their signs of illness can be subtle, and many health problems are directly linked to their environment and our local laws.

As veterinary professionals right here in Oklahoma, we want to empower you to provide the best possible care for your scaly companion. This guide covers everything from state regulations to emergency preparedness, ensuring you have the knowledge to be a responsible and successful snake owner.

Before You Begin: The Law of the Land in Oklahoma

Responsible pet ownership starts with understanding the law. Before bringing a snake home, be aware of Oklahoma's specific regulations:

• Native & Venomous Species Require Permits: Owning native Oklahoma venomous snakes (like rattlesnakes or copperheads) requires a commercial breeder's license from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Even owning a non-venomous native snake (like a rat snake or king snake) requires a noncommercial breeder license.
• Captive-Bred is Best (and Legal): It is illegal to take native wildlife from the wild to keep as a pet. We strongly recommend purchasing only captive-bred animals from reputable breeders. They are generally healthier, have fewer parasites, and are better acclimated to life in captivity.
• Check Your Local Ordinances: A state permit does not override city or county laws. Some municipalities have stricter rules or may outright ban certain species. Always check your local ordinances before acquiring a new snake.

The Foundation of Health: Perfecting the Habitat (Husbandry)

For a reptile, their enclosure is their entire world. Getting the husbandry right prevents the vast majority of health issues we see in our clinics.

1. Temperature: A Non-Negotiable Gradient

Snakes are ectothermic ("cold-blooded") and rely on their environment to regulate body temperature. You must provide a temperature gradient.

• Hot Side (Basking Spot): A warm area, created with a heat lamp or under-tank heater, allows your snake to warm up and digest its food.
• Cool Side: The other end of the enclosure should be significantly cooler, allowing your snake to cool down.
• Oklahoma Consideration: With our dramatic temperature swings, your home's thermostat is not enough. You must have thermometers on both the hot and cool ends of the enclosure to ensure the gradient is stable day and night.

2. Humidity: The Oklahoma Challenge

This is a major hurdle for Oklahoma snake owners. Our dry air, especially in summer and with winter heating, can cause serious health problems.

• Low Humidity: Leads to dehydration and dysecdysis (stuck shed). This can cause retained eye caps, tail constriction, and secondary infections.
• High Humidity: Can lead to skin infections like scale rot and create a breeding ground for mold.

Local Pro-Tips:

• Use a digital hygrometer to accurately measure humidity.
• Provide a "humid hide" - an enclosed hide box filled with damp sphagnum moss where your snake can find moisture when needed.
• Mist the enclosure as needed, but avoid making the substrate constantly soggy.

Proper Nutrition

• Frozen/Thawed is Safest: We strongly recommend feeding pre-killed, frozen/thawed (F/T) prey. A live rodent can bite and severely injure or even kill your snake.
• Appropriate Size: Feed a prey item that is no wider than the widest part of your snake's body.
• Fresh Water: A large, clean bowl of fresh water must be available at all times.

Common Health Issues in Snakes

• Respiratory Infections (RIs): Often caused by incorrect temperatures or humidity. Watch for wheezing, clicking sounds, open-mouth breathing, or mucus/bubbles around the nostrils.
• Dysecdysis (Stuck Shed): Caused by low humidity. You'll see flaky, retained patches of skin or cloudy eye caps after a shed attempt.
• Infectious Stomatitis (Mouth Rot): A painful infection of the mouth, often indicated by jaw swelling, loss of appetite, and a cheese-like substance in the mouth.
• Mites and Parasites: Tiny black or red moving dots on your snake are likely mites. Internal parasites can cause weight loss or regurgitation. Always quarantine new snakes for at least 30-60 days.

A Note on Public Health: 

All reptiles, including healthy-looking snakes, can carry Salmonella bacteria in their digestive tracts and shed it in their feces. This can cause severe illness in people.

Practice Safe Hygiene:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling your snake or anything in its environment.
• Do not allow your snake to roam in kitchens or other food-preparation areas.
• Supervise children closely during handling and ensure they wash their hands afterward.
• Be aware that young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at a higher risk of severe illness.

Emergency Preparedness in the Sooner State

First Aid for a Venomous Snakebite (For Humans)

Accidents can happen. If someone is bitten by a venomous snake, the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information advises you to:

1. Move away from the snake and stay as calm as possible.
2. Wash the wound with soap and water.
3. Keep the bitten area still and at or slightly below the level of the heart.
4. Call the Oklahoma Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
5. DO NOT cut the wound, attempt to suck out venom, apply a tourniquet, or use ice.

Your Snake's First-Aid Kit

Be prepared for minor issues by having a simple kit on hand:

• Contact information for your primary reptile vet and a 24/7 emergency clinic that sees exotics.
• Betadine or a similar antiseptic (to be diluted for cleaning minor scrapes).
• Sterile saline for flushing eyes or wounds.
• A small tub or container to be used for soaks (for stuck shed).

Partnering with Your Vet: When to Seek Professional Help

Reptiles are masters at hiding illness. Having a relationship with a reptile-savvy vet before an emergency is crucial. Schedule an appointment immediately if you notice any of the following:

• Wheezing, open-mouth breathing, or bubbles from the nose/mouth
• Lethargy or refusal to move
• Refusing two or more consecutive meals
• Regurgitation
• Noticeable weight loss or lumps on the body
• Stuck shed or retained eye caps that you cannot resolve with a simple soak

Your Partner in Pet Health

Owning a pet snake is a rewarding experience. By understanding their unique needs, respecting our state laws, and being proactive about their environment, you can ensure your scaly friend lives a long, healthy, and comfortable life here in the Sooner State.

Your partner in pet health is just a call away. Find an expert exotic pet veterinarian and contact our clinic to schedule a wellness check-up for your unique companion!