Health & Hygiene

Milk Snakes are a tough species; so are generally quite resilient, and with a good diet and a routine will remain quite healthy.

Shedding

As a reptile grows, its old skin become too tight; therefore a new skin awaits just below the old one. As a snake gets ready to shed, its body color will start to dull and develop a whitish sheen. To assure proper hydration, providing additional misting during the shedding process will help them along.

Mites

These are small black parasites that live on your Milk Snake and feed on their blood. If affected by mites, they will be visible around the eyes, mouth and under its scales. Symptoms will include lethargy and loss of appetite. If mites are discovered, bathe your Milk Snake immediately in warm water. Remove all the contents from the vivarium and full disinfect. Replace substrate with kitchen roll and keep furnishing to a minimum. You will need to use a mite treatment to rid the tank of all mites, and medical attention is recommended.

Respiratory Infections

Bacterial infections are typically caused by poor cage conditions, low temperatures or too much humidity; but they can also be transferred between snakes. Symptoms include a wheezy sound when breathing; excessive saliva, and nasal discharge. Mild infections will generally go away once living conditions are improved, but veterinary advise is recommended for serious infections. If you are concerned about your Snake’s health, our Pet Care Advisors are on hand to help, although veterinary attention may be recommended.

Regurgitation

This may occur if your Milk Snake is handled too soon after eating, or if their food is too large; although it may also be a sign of digestive problems. If regurgitation occurs, monitor it closely for other symptoms. If your Snake repeatedly regurgitates it’s meal, shows signs of excessive weight loss or shows any other signs that are worrying; seek medical attention.

Cleaning the Habitat

Snakes generally require little cleaning as they rarely defecate. Remove faeces and soiled bedding as necessary; and if your snake defecates in its water bath, it should be disinfected straight away. A full deep clean every four weeks, with a mild disinfectant will ensure your Snake remains healthy.

Hygiene

Hand washing is very important when owning any reptile. Washing your hands before and after handling your Snake will help keep you and your pet healthy. If you wash your hands before handling you reduce the risk of passing anything on to your pet.

Salmonella

As with all reptiles, Milk Snakes have the potential to carry pathogens such as Salmonella; so children under five should not handle them and hands should be thoroughly washed before and after handling.

Health & Hygiene

A healthy Chameleon will have bright eyes, clear skin and be quite active. To help ensure the ongoing health and well-being of your Chameleon, it is important to provide her with a balanced diet, a carefully managed habitat and regular cleaning.
These are some of the more common health problems experienced by Chameleons:

Metabolic Bone Disease

A problem for many reptiles, MBD is caused from a lack of calcium and/or UVA/UVB lighting. Symptoms include a thickened jaw line and/or ankles, bumps along spine, poor colour, brittle/broken/misaligned bones, lack of coordination and weakened grip or tendency to fall.

Thermal Burns

Caused by your Chameleon getting to close to their basking light; thermal burns are recognisable by a light green patch, which may be accompanied by a blister(s). The area then turns black and eventually falls off leaving a raw area prone to infection. If you notice this, medical attention will be required, but it can be easily prevented by ensuring the basking light is at least one foot away.

Egg Retention

Female Chameleons will lay eggs a number of times each year, regardless of whether or not they have mated. If she does not have a suitable place to lay her eggs, she will retain them. This will cause suffocation, dehydration or malnourishment; each of which will be fatal. When she wants to deposit her eggs, she will stop eating, but keep drinking. She may also start scratching the glass or ground; her eyes will be closed and she will remain in the lower part of her vivarium. At this time, provide a container of clean sand in which she can deposit her eggs.

Cleaning the Habitat

Like any pet, regular cleaning of your pet’s home will be required to maintain its ongoing health. Establishing a regular routine will help you to keep your Chameleon’s vivarium clean and disease free.

Daily:

• Take waste away, debris, dead feeder insects, and shed skin from the vivarium
• Mist your Chameleon’s vivarium with clean, fresh water
• Remove and clean any objects that have faecal matter on them

Weekly:

• Disinfect and clean the enclosure thoroughly
• Clean and disinfect interior items such as decorations, feeding and watering items
• Replace soiled substrate.

When cleaning your cage your Chameleon should not be handled or played with; instead you could put it in a supervised area to encourage exercise.

Salmonella

As with all reptiles, Chameleons have the potential to carry pathogens such as salmonella. Children under five should not handle them; and hands should be thoroughly washed before and after handling.