Still take to the vet? What do you think.

[BuckeyeBalls]

So last Saturday i bought a female BP for $20 because shes 1800 grams. She had what appears to be a slight RI. I noticed a hissing noise every night, not a lot but here and there.

So i opened her mouth she had a little bit of bubbles in the back of her throat.

Well the past 2 days i have not head the hissing noise. She seems to be a lot less "active" always roaming the tub trying to escape. Iv had her temps bumped up higher than normal and raised the humidity also. Instead of having a 80* cool spot and 92* hotspot its more of 85-88* cool spot and 92* hot spot to try and get her immune system going a bit better.

So what do you think? Take her to vet or see if i notice it getting any worse then take her?

What would you do?

I can take her at any time. But i would prefer not to have to take her if she seems to not be showing signs of a RI now after shes been bumped up in temps for the past 5 days

[thedarkwolf25]

Well I'm far from an expert but if it were me I would take her anyways just to make sure.

[bsavage]

just remain vigilant. Those bubbles you saw can occur even if she doesen't have an RI, I have seen lots of Balls with a couple bubbles in their mouth(not a bunch mind you), and they were healthy, do not let those bubbles scare you into thinking she's sick.Bubbles are a symptom for RI's yes, but they do not warrant a concrete diagnosis. Just keep doing what your doing, don't bump your ambient up too much so she cant thermoreg properly(your temps are fine though, just a warning), and just keep an eye on her. Sounds like your doing a good job. If you notice the hissing/wheezing comes back and is audible more frequently,if there is any open mouth breathing, or mucuous on your enclosure walls from her trying to expel and alleviate nasal congestion, than make your trip to the vet, as that is always the best course of action. Right now, sounds like your snake may *sigh* every now and than, .

Also, is she on newspaper/any kind of paper as substrate? Sometimes when they move along it, the sounds of the paper being compressed can sound a bit like a hiss.

Despite what lots of people may say, a couple mouth bubbles or a breathing noise(from time to time) is not a cause to run to the vet and be charged for a checkup and antibiotics that aren't needed.

[BAMReptiles]

i still dont understand why people bump up the humidity for a too much liquid problem. heat and less humidity would help kick a RI (if thats what it is). adding humidity will only exacerbate the problem

[bsavage]

i still dont understand why people bump up the humidity for a too much liquid problem. heat and less humidity would help kick a RI (if thats what it is). adding humidity will only exacerbate the problem

I always thought that what you say must be the logical answer but apparently the increased humidity and heat(and I've read this in more than one reliable book, the one infront of me being Russo's Complete Boa Constrictor, so I know it's not Python, but they are boids at least) helps to kick start the immune system. How I don't know, but every RELIABLE source I've seen almost has always said increase.

never has made sense to me, but I'd trust the guys who have devoted the time to write these monster sized books of husbandry info over random people on internet forums, and so, I go with bumping the humidity higher.

[BuckeyeBalls]

Well i can tell you 100 pct for sure the hissing noise she WAS making herself and would do it every 30 mins.

If u were to watch her she would take like a deep breath and expel air and u could see her body like tense up during it. So im assuming its because of the bubbles which i also believe are a RI.

And as far as the temps them are the temps i were told to bump them to from a local breeder. He said them are the temps he has always used at the sign of a RI. If they "need" to thermo regulate cuz it is indeed to hot u will know once they start soaking.

Im still debating on rather i should. She wasnt elevating her head, mouth breathing, none of that stuff which are common signs of a RI. Just simply expelling a quick burst of air to frequently. But as iv said I have not heard it once in the last 48 hrs so im beginning to think it is getting better.

I think i may cancel the vet appt. and if i feel she is starting to show more signs of a RI just call vet back and take her.

[j_h_smith]

i still dont understand why people bump up the humidity for a too much liquid problem. heat and less humidity would help kick a RI (if thats what it is). adding humidity will only exacerbate the problem

Did you ever have a cold as a kid and Mom put a vaporizer in your room? Higher humidity is good for a RI.

To the OP, I would wait on that visit. What you are doing can improve the snake's condition and cure a RI. HOWEVER, keep a close eye on the snake. If the snake gets any worse, make that appointment.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[mpkeelee]

one good way to know is she is sick is get her out and let her move around and be more active, once she starts to breath heavier the signs of an RI will be easier to spot. if its just a mild RI u wont even be able to really tell with her just laying in her tub not doing anything. a vet is always a good call tho, especially when u just buy an older animal

[ed4281]

Raising the temps is only first aid until you can get to a vet. If she is making hissing noises and there is an excess of bubbles at the back of her mouth you should take her. I always like to be safe rather than sorry.

[shescountry89]

Did you ever have a cold as a kid and Mom put a vaporizer in your room? Higher humidity is good for a RI.

To the OP, I would wait on that visit. What you are doing can improve the snake's condition and cure a RI. HOWEVER, keep a close eye on the snake. If the snake gets any worse, make that appointment.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

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