Respiratory conditions in snakes

Inside the bodies of mammals there is a big sheet of muscle called the diaphragm; this separates the chest, where the lungs are situated, and the abdomen where the stomach and intestines are. Your snake doesn’t have a diaphragm; his chest and abdomen share the same space.

No, partly because they don’t have a diaphragm, snakes are unable to cough. This can be a problem because if they get a build-up of fluid in their lungs, they are unable to clear it by coughing. This can affect breathing and cause infections so ensure if you see labored breathing to take your snake to the veterinary practice.

Snakes only have one functioning lung, the other lung (normally the left), shrivels and is known as a vestigial lung. The lung of the snake is very long and at the very end, it becomes a simple air sac. Air is exchanged in lung tissue and stored in the air sac.

Inside the windpipe, there is a lack of the mucociliary elevator, found in mammals. Little projections stick out into the lumen of the trachea which beat in unison, passing mucus from the bottom of the lungs up to the throat where the mucus is coughed up. Because snakes lack a diaphragm and the mucociliary elevator it makes snake lungs more prone to infection and makes it harder for them to shake off infection.

Pneumonia is an inflammation and infection of the lungs. It can be caused  by viral and bacterial infection. There are two very important viruses that affect snakes, Ophidian Paramyxovirus and Inclusion Body Disease. Ensure your snakes vivarium is at the correct temperature and kept at the correct humidity and you practice good hygiene within the vivarium.

Snakes are also prone to infection by a bacteria called Pseudomonas, a highly infectious organism that is commonly spread in stagnant water. It causes abscesses in the lungs and is difficult to treat.

To avoid infection it is vital that your snake’s house is kept at the correct temperature and has the correct level of humidity. The humidity is dependent on the species of snake you have. A good balanced diet will also protect your snake’s immune system to help prevent infection.

When choosing a suitable place for your snake to stay whilst you are away, ensure that he is not exposed to other snakes. Wherever possible, arrange for your snake to be cared for at your own home.

If your snake is showing signs of illness then you must take him to the veterinary practice. It is important that you are aware of your snake’s activity level so any changes can be identified and help you to determine if your snake is unwell.