Hello,

The advice I am about to offer is going to go against what most people who keep snakes will believe or endorse. However, I have had some lengthy discussions with a friend on this, so I feel this is a good place to share the information.

While it is believed that most snakes do not require any type of UV exposure to properly digest dietary calcium, it has been shown that low level UV exposure benefits them greatly. (There are current studies being conducted on snakes and UV exposure.)

If you have the ability, offer UV exposure to the ill snake for 2-3 hours a day. Make certain the snake can hide from the UV if he chooses, but offer it. Amazingly, if the snake needs the UV, it will actually lay out beneath it.

This is not as strange as it actually sounds. In the wild, every animal (diurnal and nocturnal) has direct and indirect contact with UV exposure.

Seeing as you normally keep iguanas in the rescue, I am confident you have a UV light that you could give the ratsnake access to for only 2-3 hours per day.

I would also suggest the use of a probiotic such as Nutribac. You don't want to stress the snake any more than needed, so I would suggest getting the nutribac in paste form, and then placing some in its preys mouth. This will help replace some of the gut flora and will help re-strengthen the current supply.

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From your description it sounds like a trans pecos ratsnake, Bogertophis subocularis, which is often seen in the Leucistic form, white with blue eyes. And they are from Texas.
The raising up to the top of the enclosure and falling back over is not an unusual behavior and doesn't necessarilly signify a problem. Many snakes will do this. They just extend to a point where they lose their balance and Thump!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Wow all of you have been extremely helpful! Thank you! Merlin I do believe you are right on the Trans peco rat snake as I was up for hours last night on the internet trying to figure out what this poor baby was, and the pics I found on them are the closest looking.
Rich what type of uv lighting as Yes I do have an enormous stockpile of it. I would hate to put in a tropical or desert and have that be too much I do have the 2.0 for the frog/amphibian when I got in dumpys that had a skin infection and I used that on them and it seemed to work great, but that is a whole different topic in itself! I do have an area to bask for him which runs from 90 to 92 then the bottom runs about 80 to 85 where he seems to like it the most. I know the uv lighting is controversial as some people say yes, others say no.
The other question I have is I am using an antibacterial cream on his burns, which some are from direct contact with some kind of heat source and, hold on to your seats here, cigarette burns. Hideous! What would be the one you recommend the most? Also he is still being treated for the mites of course I do everyhting I can to keep the medication out of the open wounds. I am using Reptile Relief made by Natural Chemistry for the mites.
Looks like the vet and I are going to be real good friends! Snakes are a lot different than Igs thats for sure! I am going to get a few books sometime today or tomorrow as it looks like the 4 I got in are going to be here a while until there is an opening at the other rehab. i already have the books that the pet stores sell that just have the basics, I want something that has a lot more detail in it. Any recommendations?
Oh by the way he has been named King Arthur, as it seems fitting that he finally be treated like the king he deserves to be!

Cigarette burns?
Good grief!
Some people are just a waste of good air!

The most commonly used ointment for burns is silvadine. Neosporin(triple antibiotic) is also used.
Reptile relief is a good product and is one of the safer things used for mites.
With all due respect to Rich I have never seen any proof that UVB is needed for snakes. Of course it won't hurt them either as long as there is a place for the animal to retreat from it. Since you already have it it would't hurt to put on one. A 5.0 flourescent should be fine.

What area are you located in. Perhaps we have some members around that might be intersted in rehoming the snakes.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

The closest area you would probably recognize is Seattle I am about an hour and a half away from there. I am willing to travel to get these animals a great home! On the down side to that I want someone with way more knowledge than I have and who has the room to properly house these babies, so I will be ooh whats the proper word, picky or discriminating as to who can adopt as I am with my iguanas. As far as King Arthur goes I have become very attached in the short while I have had him, so I have not decided yet as to whether he stays or goes He also needs vet care which he will be getting friday and a lot of rehab work, which is a lot to ask of someone financially.
I am using neosporin on the wounds which are not looking like they have so much puss in them this morning. I spoke to the 24 hour vet early this morning and he says to keep doing the neosporin and the baths and the daily cleaning of mites and not to feed again until I see the vet on friday, just to let the feeding I already gave him settle and digest. I can say that he seems to check his water bowl quite often to see if it is still there and is still drinking TONS!

I completely understand!

That is standard operating procedure with most of the legitimate rescues I am familiar with. Nobody wants to see an animal sent somewhere, only to have it show back up later in bad shape once again. We all like to see the animal go to a "forever home" where it will be appreciated and properly cared for.

I also understand your attachment to King Arthur. I, myself,have a plain old, run of the mill, garden variety, corn snake that I paid 12 dollars for years ago. The snake became ill and, after a couple of hundred dollars worth of vet bills and having to force feed and give oral medicines every day for 3 months, finally pulled through. He is still one of my favorites and will always hold a special place in my heart.
Due to the eye problem it will take a special kind of keeper to care for him. IF you do decide not to keep him I hope you find that type of person.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I will probably end up keeping him and just let him live the rest of his days out in peace! I cannot imagine many people wanting to put out that kind of money on an old rat snake, or should I rephrase that, willing to put out that kind of money! Of course however if the right person came along with the knowledge that makes me look like a moron LOL, I of course would be tripping over myself to hand him over as that would be in his best interest, and that in my opinion is what it is all about! Of course there is the other snakes I have which is a whole different thread in itself, maybe I will put one up as soon as I can figure out why all my pics are too big to post on this site, maybe iI will have to use my childrens kid tough digital camera to post pics as that seems to be the only one that takes pictures that I can post on this site, Too bad I am so technically challenged!! (laughing Hysterically)

Great news!!!! King arthur is doing so much better in the short couple of days I have had him!! He is so active now!! YEAH! The wounds and burns are looking better already, hardly any puss today. I am so excited! It is amazing what a liitle food, water and care will do! Today is a great day for him I cannot wait to see what the vet says about him on Friday! I will keep you posted.

that's fantastic! thank goodness he ended up with you and is getting the TLC he desperately needed. good work and definitely keep us posted!

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Yes my name is D... Yes as in the letter... No i wont tell you what it stands for!!!

You can offer the snake some pedialyte to drink which will help rehydrate. Make aure you have a bowl big enough for it to soak in cause mites are really uncomfortable. Just let it chill for awhile

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