Sick, fat, smelly garter snake, advice??

[ZeroVampyr]

Hey, I've been looking around on the internet to see if I could find any information that might help to explain what might be wrong with one of our garter snakes.

We've had them for a while and they are very well cared for, but lately one of them has gotten extremely fat and has become lethargic and smelly.

We thought at first that the snake might be pregnant as one of our other snakes has babies a couple of months back, but this seems a lot different. The snake is fat all the way down to about a couple of inches of the end of its tail, where it looks "normal" size there after.

The snake is crusty where it shouldn't be and the shedding process is taking a lot longer than it would normally be expected.

The snake is more "dosile" and lethargic than usual and the smell is noticeably bad.

Our snake, is most likely sick, we think, but with what, we're not sure.

I've taken a few pictures and wondered if anyone here might have an idea as to what might be wrong with it. We love these guys and don't want them to die on us and intend to see proper veterinary care for the one that looks sickly ASAP.

Here are some pictures we've taken today:







Thank you in advance.

xx

[adamanteus]

Looks like an impaction in the gut/cloaca. Best to get to the vet ASAP, but in the meantime try getting the snake to swim in a luke warm bath, the swimming motion might encourage some faecal matter to be passed. It might also clear any dried matter from around the cloaca that might be hindering the passage of waste.

[gregmonsta]

That snake is seriously overweight or impacted - a blockage in the intestinal tract. The bad smell will be from the rotting food in her system and the lethargy a result of septicemia caused by the problem. This snake needs vet attention asap!

Edit - good advice from James

[adamanteus]

That snake is seriously overweight

Actually, I think this snake (apart from the obvious swelling/bloating) is rather underweight. If you look at the tail and the neck area... see what I mean?

[gregmonsta]

Actually, I think this snake (apart from the obvious swelling/bloating) is rather underweight. If you look at the tail and the neck area... see what I mean?

I do now, brain not fully engaged ... the swelling of the abdomen had me shocked. It looks just like a badly overweight corn I saw a while back. My bad, I'm still recovering from my marathon journey.

[guidofatherof5]

A reptile Vet. ASAP is needed. Your snake is in our prayers. Please keep us advised on her condition.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

That looks really bad. Definitely appears to be a SERIOUS blockage of some sort and it probably smells because of infection. It looks like it has built up for quite a while. The snake is definitely not overweight, it's underweight most likely simply because it is unable to eat/digest food. I would get this snake RUSHED to the vet or you are going to lose her! I hope things work out for you! Keep us updated. And welcome to the forum! Sorry you had to come here on such a bad note!

[Stefan-A]

Vet or euthanasia.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Vet or euthanasia.

was going to suggest that... it looks like it's too far gone

[charles parenteau]

Absces ,nothing to do with it Im sorry !