Sudden onset neurological problem

[guidofatherof5]

I would suggest a Vet. visit.
From the evidence you've presented I would say thiaminase would be my first suspect. Not knowing the full history on the snake makes it difficult but also sheds a little light on what might be happening. I'm guessing the guy before the guy you got it from was feeding minnows also.
I think the only thing you can do at this time is switch to a more balanced diet and add in some supp.
I don't mean to be a downer but usually when a snake reaches this point because of thiaminase it is too late to do anything. I hope that isn't the case here.
Please keep us posted on this situation.

[hissies]

I don't mean to be a downer but usually when a snake reaches this point because of thiaminase it is too late to do anything. I hope that isn't the case here.

Unfortunately, I was thinking the same thing.

His last shed measured 19 in. and he weighs 21g. I've been under the impression that he's a younger snake and I feel like he may have grown a bit since I received him, but that's speculation.

What might I expect a vet to do for him? I'm not doubting at all that a visit is the best idea, I just have no previous experience with reptiles and haven't come across much of anything about actually treating this problem. I like to walk in with at least an idea of what can be done, if treatment is an option. Medication? Injections? Either way, I will see how much my vet knows about snakes, and if they don't I know of at least one more in town that I've seen on recommended herp vet lists.

Thank you for the prompt responses. I'll be sure to keep you updated on what happens.

edit: d_virginiana, you posted at the same time I was writing this response! I've been using plain tap water. It's treated and not from a well, but I haven't put anything extra in it, like those reptile water treatment drops. (I did some research on that earlier on, and was under the impression it was okay not to use them.)

[d_virginiana]

Unfortunately, I was thinking the same thing.

His last shed measured 19 in. and he weighs 21g. I've been under the impression that he's a younger snake and I feel like he may have grown a bit since I received him, but that's speculation.

What might I expect a vet to do for him? I'm not doubting at all that a visit is the best idea, I just have no previous experience with reptiles and haven't come across much of anything about actually treating this problem. I like to walk in with at least an idea of what can be done, if treatment is an option. Medication? Injections? Either way, I will see how much my vet knows about snakes, and if they don't I know of at least one more in town that I've seen on recommended herp vet lists.

Thank you for the prompt responses. I'll be sure to keep you updated on what happens.

edit: d_virginiana, you posted at the same time I was writing this response! I've been using plain tap water. It's treated and not from a well, but I haven't put anything extra in it, like those reptile water treatment drops. (I did some research on that earlier on, and was under the impression it was okay not to use them.)

19 inches sounds like he could be either a fully grown or nearly full grown eastern male (they max out at about 24 inches for males).

The only thing I've heard of a vet can do for this is the vitamin injection. I have no personal experience with this, and may be getting the procedure confused with something else, so hopefully another member can clarify what I'm thinking about here...
I'd say definitely don't go to a vet without knowing exactly what you want from them. In cases like this you will end up doing a lot of expensive tests and/or procedures that end up not helping at all. Not necessarily the vet's fault, but if they don't know much about reptiles then their diagnostics are pretty horrible for anything that isn't super obvious (like an injury or infection).

Okay, to start off with, I don't think the water is the problem here at all now. Only mentioned the well water because some can have crazy metal content that has been known to cause seizures in frogs.
By 'treated' do you mean like... city water has been treated with chlorine and stuff? This is toxic to reptiles (snakes are pretty hardy so I doubt a month of that would cause seizures in a healthy snake so don't beat yourself up about that). In the future and for any other reptiles you might have, you need to treat it. 'Prime' is probably the best product around. You can find it in the aquarium aisle, and one bottle goes a LONG way. Just a couple drops per gallon, and it's good to go.