Possible seizures?

[finaldecember]

Honestly, I'm not sure what it was that I just saw Maja do about ten minutes ago. It looked like a massive seizure, but I could be wrong. Here's what I saw; hopefully it will help. She was thrashing wildly around her vivarium with her mouth wide open, often stretching all the way up to the screen lid before falling again or rolling onto her back. This lasted for maybe a minute and a half before she finally stopped.

At first, I thought that she had died, but when I reached into the viv and gently touched the end of her tail, she wiggled a bit and moved away so I couldn't touch her. I decided to pick her up just to make sure she hadn't injured herself and noticed that her mouth was full of substrate. Could this have happened during the seizure or could it be a possible cause?

I know that I should probably try to get the substrate out, but I don't have anything I could do that with and I'm afraid of hurting her. Also, when I was checking her over, instead of the usual 'Put me down now!' squirming, she was slowly letting her head fall backwards so that she was on her back. Any ideas of what I should do?

[gregmonsta]

Sounds like possible thiamine deficiency. What have you been feeding and have you adequately supplied vitamin supplements?

[jitami]

Really doesn't sound good... how's the snake doing now?

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds like she needs to see a Vet ASAP. I lean heavily towards Greg's idea.
Has she returned to normal at all or is this a constant situation?

[finaldecember]

We'd been feeding her the only thing we could get her to eat, which was minnows. I tried to find out what kind of vitamin supplements to give and how to give them, but I couldn't find any information on that, so I wasn't able to. Yes, I tried worms and pinkies, but she would only take minnows.

Right now, she's stretched herself out a bit, but she's definitely not normal. She's barely breathing.

[finaldecember]

And the only herp vet in town isn't even open today.

[gregmonsta]

We'd been feeding her the only thing we could get her to eat, which was minnows. I tried to find out what kind of vitamin supplements to give and how to give them, but I couldn't find any information on that, so I wasn't able to.

Did you search this forum? There are many threads in which people list their dosing rituals. You must supplement vitamin b1 if feeding a purely fish diet. Powder forms of reptile/avain vitamin combinations are readily available. I myself use water-soluble vitamins (Reptasol) at a quarter the recommended dose at every water change.
Only a vitamin injection from the vet will help to alleviate the symptoms at an advanced stage. You have to get this seen to asap. If you can get an emergency appointment I would take it as the seizures can quickly lead to death (it puts a lot of strain on their systems).
Fingers crossed for her.

[jitami]

Sorry, I just read your signature and see that Maja is your keelback. I'm sorry the prognosis isn't better, but it really doesn't sound good at all. Just curious, how big/old is she and how long have you had her? The keelbacks tend to have a very high parasite load and can be difficult to keep due to the poor conditions they're taken from and kept in while importing. Hoping for a miracle for girl...

[Mommy2many]

Thoughts are with you and her. Needs a vet, ASAP. Hope you both do well. Prayers sent your way.

[jamromhem]

I would agree with those above. Minnows are not the best long term diet.

a good addition to a diet on occasion but not for every feeding.

most fish they "call" minnows can cause this deficiency and it does sound like that is the case.

Vet ASAP is a good plan of action. With hopes there is a good ending. I would include earthworms into the regular diet from any baitshop/petstore/walmart. and see about ordering some reptile calcium supplement online if there isn't a place near by to get it.