Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Corn snake treated for esophagus and stomach blockage
By Shimizu, Urarako et al.·Published in The Journal of veterinary medical science·2025·Azabu University, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Treatment of esophagogastric intussusception due to cryptosporidiosis using paromomycin in a corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus).
- Species:
- reptile
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old corn snake was brought to the vet because it had swelling in its body. X-rays and ultrasounds showed that part of its digestive tract was telescoping into itself, a condition called intussusception. The vet performed surgery to fix the problem and found that a parasite called Cryptosporidium was involved. After surgery, the snake was treated with a medication called paromomycin for 10 days, followed by ongoing treatment for several months. The snake recovered well and tests showed no signs of the parasite afterward.
People also search for: corn snake body swelling · snake intussusception treatment · Cryptosporidium in snakes · paromomycin for snakes
Abstract
A 3-year-old captive corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) was taken our veterinary clinic with a complaint of intermittent body swelling. Radiography revealed soft-tissue swelling, and ultrasonography confirmed intussusception of the digestive tract. Celiotomy revealed esophagogastric intussusception, which was subsequently corrected. Histopathological examination of gastric mucosal biopsy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from feces were revealed protozoan parasitism within the lesion and detected specific genes of Cryptosporidium spp. Oral administration of paromomycin at 100 mg/kg once daily for 10 days, subsequently twice weekly for 90 days under strict hygiene management were conducted as postoperative treatment. The snake was in good clinical health. PCR and ultrasonography for Cryptosporidium spp. 752 days after surgery showed no evidence of cryptosporidiosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39924250/