What's Wrong?

[Joby]

Hey there, glad I found this site.

I'll get straight to the point, my ball python has been a good, healthy, pet for about 3 years now. This week I fed him two live mice just as normal, but he didn't eat. This happens sometimes, so I left them in there for the night. This morning I checked to see if he had eaten them, but no... Instead they were alive, and he was laying sprawled out and very cold. There was some kind of fluid discharge near his mouth. I thought he was dead, but thankfully no.
He's ready to shed, but hasn't.

I put him into some warm water to heat him up and he's moving around normally, and acting fine... but...

I would deeply apriciate any advice you could provide.

Thanks!

[j_h_smith]

No idea, but that's not normal. I would advise you make an appointment and see a qualified Exotic Vet as soon as possible.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[dr del]

Hi,

I wouldn't leave live mice in with a snake unattended - if they bite and chew on the snake it stops the feeding response and can end up very very bad. We have pictures but trust me you really don't want to see them.

Did his temps stay in the right range?

Does he make any sounds when he breathes and, if you gently open his mouth, is there a lot of bubbly mucus in it?


dr del

[Vypyrz]

First off, It can be very dangerous to leave live mice and rats in the tank for long priods of time. They can and will attack you snake. Make sure you check thoroughly for bite marks.
Secondly, if the discharge is mucous, then your snake most likely has a Respiratory Infection and will need to go to a vet. You need to listen to see if your snake is wheezing, or keeping his head elevated alot. You may also need to check inside his mouth for alot of bubbles or mucous.
There is also a possibilty that you snake may have just drank some water and didn't swallow it all, but with the refusal to eat, discharge and lethargy, I would tend to suspect a R.I.
What type of heating and controlling set-up do you have?

[Elise.m]

Wow, I'd count my blessings if I were you. You're lucky the snake didn't die with two live mice in there.

I'd take him to a qualified vet. Are you sure the liquid didn't come from the mice?

[Vypyrz]

I forgot to say... to the forum...


Rob

[ed4281]

Sounds like RI you should take him to the vet, check to make sure his temps are good.

[2kdime]

RI all day long.

Animals will also "leak" water from their mouths after having drank a large amount of water at once.

Like said, NEVER leave live feeders in unattended.

Get that animal to a vet and check your temperatures. Make sure you ask for a CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY test! That's a must.

82 to 84 cool side

92 to 94 warm side

[Joby]

Thanks for all the feedback!

There was some mucus and though I don't hear any wheezing, it certainly does sound like a respiratory issue.

Vet bills..... uhg...

What might cause "RI"?

Thanks again!

[Elise.m]

RI = Respitory (sp?) Infection. It's caused from low temperatures, low humidity. Those are the two for sure causes that I know of, maybe someone can list others.