Snakes have a way of hiding trouble in plain sight. A ball python that refuses meals, a corn snake with a stuck shed, or a boa breathing with its mouth open may look calm in the enclosure, yet each of these can signal a problem worth a prompt visit.
Mountain View Animal Hospital & Holistic Pet Care offers snake care as part of our reptile vet services in Reno. Dr. Bridget Landon and Dr. Darrin Lewellen, our integrative and exotic veterinarians, examine pet snakes for routine wellness, illness, and husbandry concerns.
Common Health Problems in Pet Snakes
Most snake illnesses connect back to the environment, diet, or parasites. Some of the conditions we see most often include the following.
- Respiratory infections: Wheezing, bubbles at the nostrils, or open-mouth breathing may point to an infection, often linked to low temperatures or poor humidity.
- Shedding problems: Retained shed, especially around the eyes and tail tip, often signals low humidity or an underlying health issue.
- Mouth infections: Swelling, redness, or discharge around the mouth needs veterinary attention.
- Parasites: Mites on the skin and worms in the digestive tract can cause weight loss, irritation, and lethargy.
- Feeding issues: Refusing meals, regurgitating, or losing weight can stem from stress, husbandry, or illness.
- Burns and injuries: Contact with unprotected heat sources or live prey may cause wounds that require treatment.
Many of these problems are easier to treat when caught early, so it helps to know what normal looks like for your snake.
Husbandry and Feeding Guidance for Snakes
Temperature gradients, humidity, enclosure size, and hiding spots all affect your snake’s health. During each visit, we review your setup and feeding routine, and we may suggest adjustments to support healthy digestion and shedding. Many owners also ask about prey size, feeding frequency, and whether to offer frozen-thawed or live prey, and we are happy to talk through the options for your snake’s species and age.
Feeding brings its own safety considerations for your household. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes feeder rodents for snakes and other reptiles can carry germs like Salmonella, and reptiles can carry the bacteria even when they look healthy. Washing your hands with soap and water after feeding, handling, or cleaning the enclosure is one of the simplest ways to protect your family.
What to Expect at a Snake Wellness Visit
A wellness visit starts with a conversation about your snake’s history, diet, shedding pattern, and habitat. We then perform a hands-on physical exam, checking body condition, skin and scales, eyes, mouth, breathing, and muscle tone.
Depending on what we find, we may recommend a fecal test for parasites, bloodwork through our in-house laboratory, or digital X-rays. For snakes recovering from injury or managing chronic conditions, integrative options such as laser therapy may also support comfort and healing. First-time snake owners may find our tips for preparing for an exotic pet vet visit useful.
When to Call Us About Your Snake
Some changes call for a prompt appointment rather than a wait-and-see approach. Open-mouth breathing, a swollen or bleeding mouth, burns, bleeding wounds, repeated regurgitation, or a snake that has stopped eating and is losing weight should all be checked soon.
A missed meal on its own is not always a cause for alarm, as many snakes eat less during shedding or the cooler months. Still, a pattern of refused meals is worth a call, and our team can help you decide whether your snake needs to come in.
Bringing Your Snake to the Hospital
A secure container with air holes, such as a ventilated plastic tub or a pillowcase inside a box for larger snakes, keeps your snake safe during the drive. In cold Reno weather, a warm (not hot) water bottle wrapped in a towel can help hold a comfortable temperature.
Avoid feeding your snake right before the visit. Photos of the enclosure, details about heating and lighting, and a recent stool sample, if available, help us get the most out of your appointment.
Why Snake Owners in Reno Trust Our Hospital
Our hospital is one of a small number of AAHA-accredited practices in northern Nevada, a standard fewer than 15% of animal hospitals nationwide achieve. Our commitment to that standard shows up in careful handling, thorough records, and safe anesthesia when a snake needs a procedure.
Just as important, our veterinary team enjoys working with reptiles and takes time to answer questions. We also care for lizards and other reptiles, so households with more than one species can keep all of their reptiles’ care in one place.
Schedule Snake Care at Mountain View Animal Hospital & Holistic Pet Care
Snakes do best when small husbandry issues are corrected before they turn into illness, and regular checkups make that possible. Our hospital pairs dedicated exotic animal care with recognition from Newsweek as one of America’s Best Animal Hospitals and a calm 3-acre setting designed to reduce stress.
If your snake is due for an exam, has stopped eating, or is struggling to shed, we are here to help. Please contact our office to schedule your snake’s appointment.
YOUR PET DESERVES THE BEST CARE
We're Here When You Need Us
At Mountain View Animal Hospital & Holistic Pet Care, our AAHA-accredited team is ready to support your pet's health with advanced diagnostics and integrative, holistic therapies — tailored to their unique needs.
Schedule an Appointment TodayWhat Our Clients Are Saying
Real reviews from real pet owners in the Reno community
