Ri?

[Nick_bp]

what are some signs that shows me my bp has a RI? how can i check her and what do i look for? i might be over reactin but i just noticed my bp only has one nostril. any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanx

[BLMinFL]

she will yawn a lot, you will hear her weezing, she will stop eating...at least this is what happened when my big boy Fred had one. what we did is put him in a "hot box", a smaller tank that was isolated away from everyone and higher on the heat (kept it around 90) for about 3 weeks and then checked him. If the hot box doesn't work, then take him to a vet.

hope this helps.

[Nick_bp]

ok i will keep an eye on her and whatch for those things. i only have one bp so that makes it kinda easier to look out. how did you get your temps so high?

[Maverick67]

If you can, look in your bp's mouth and nose and look for bubbles and mucus. that is a pretty good sign. 1 nostril huh got a pic

[Vypyrz]

has she shed recently?

[Nick_bp]

i will try to post a pic its really small obviously. no she hasnt shed recently. i have had her about 4 weeks and she hasnt shed yet. she eats fine every 6 days and she eats small adult mice.

[BLMinFL]

ok i will keep an eye on her and whatch for those things. i only have one bp so that makes it kinda easier to look out. how did you get your temps so high?

We used a 10 gal tank with a screen lid. half the lid was covered with a piece of plexi and then we used some black fabric over that. we had heat tape under the tank and a 60 watt bulb for the daytime. we kept a therm in there at all times and checked the temps daily to make sure that it stayed in the 90 degree range.

and yeah, the bubbles and mucus in the mouth is another sign. kind of like this...http://www.exoticpetvet.com/breeds/S...%201%20web.jpg

[rj1204]

My BP has an RI right now. I don't know why there are so few articles or caresheets on the subject, but it would be great to find a detailed one on identifying and treating RI's. Anyways, I was cleaning a tub and I heard what sounded like a congested sniffle. I knew what it was and checked my girls mouths. One of my girls had bubbles on the side of her mouth so I immediately isolated her in my walk-in closet. I shut the vent in the closet, put her in a 32q tub (she is usually in a 41q tub), and attached two UTH heaters under the tub. I attached my spare Herpstat thermostat and set it to 96*, which keeps the temp surface IN the tub at 92*. Basically, almost the entire tub is at 92*. I wash her water everyday and clean her tub with 10% bleach solution every 3-4 days. When I pull her out to clean the tub, I put her in a pillow case and I wash that every day or every other day. I plan on buidling a small quarentine rack very soon.

[Nick_bp]

what is the best way to open my girls mouth to check for bubbles and mucus without hurting her?

[starfire]

I hold my ball python's head gently but firmly and use a very soft, flexible rubber spatula to open his mouth. I ease the corner of the spatula slowly into his mouth until he opens wide and I can take a quick look-see. He doesn't love it, but the spatula is a wide blocker and allows me a good safe look.

I'm sure others will have additional great ideas like tongue depressors and a variety of other implements... This just works for me.

Best of luck.