When to take your snake to a vet

Routine checkups

VCA's vets recommend an exam within one week of buying a snake, even a healthy-looking one, including weight, a check for parasites and dehydration, a mouth exam and a fecal test^[1]. After that, at least once a year with a fecal exam every time^[1]. Keep a new snake apart from any others for a month to watch for illness^[1].

Snakes don't need vaccines^[1].

Go soon for these

• Breathing trouble. Wheezing, whistling, open-mouth breathing, mucus or bubbles at the mouth or nose, or reaching up and gasping^[4][3]. Snakes have no diaphragm and can't cough, so a simple respiratory infection can turn into pneumonia^[1].
• Mouth problems. Swelling, scabs or discharge around the mouth, or red, bloody gums and cottage-cheese-like material inside^[4][1].
• Bites from prey. These need immediate care^[2].
• Burns from lamps, hot rocks or a heater after an escape^[2].
• A gravid female that is weak, lethargic or unresponsive. Possible egg binding, which can be life-threatening^[2].
• New lumps or swellings; some are harmless, but the sooner they're checked the better^[2].
• Eye caps left after a shed^[6].

Watch closely, then call

• Not eating. Often stress, shedding, season or a cold enclosure, but a long refusal can signal something serious^[1][2].
• Weight loss or odd droppings: possible internal parasites^[3][7].
• Long soaks in the water bowl, or black specks: possible mites^[7].
• Few or no droppings after eating on loose substrate: possible impaction^[4].

Bring records

The RSPCA advises keeping temperature and feeding records in case your snake needs a vet^[6]. Weigh regularly and note sheds too.

Finding a reptile vet

Not every vet treats reptiles. The Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians lists members by location^[5], and the FDA points pet owners to the same directory^[8]. Find a reptile vet through ARAV.