Quick help for a noobie! (BP may be sick)

[Spider66]

Hello. I'm new and am looking for some help and advice. I believe my Ball Python (she is 10 months to a year old) may have a Respiratory Infection. Last week, my power went out for about a whole day. So her heat lamp was out of power which led to a cold cage for awhile. When power resumed, I noticed she started to "wheeze" that night. However, since then she has acted normal and fine.

My question is, could she be alright? Or should I still take her to a Vet? The other problem is, a Vet that works on Reptiles is a long drive away. I really don't want her to get hurt. She is my first snake and I love her What should I do?

[K2exotics]

is she eating? are the temps good now? is she sitting with her head elevated? do you hear any whistling, clicking, popping, wheezing, etc now? do you see bubbles around her vent or in her mouth?

Those are all signs of a RI.. I would think if she is acting completely normal and this happened a week ago and you see no symptoms what so ever that a close watch for another week would be all she needs. However if she has any of those symptoms or develops them I would get her to a vet asap. Make sure she has a good warm spot ( around 91 ) and the ambient stays about 80 with good humidity and I think she will be fine.

I hope that helps I am sure some of the more experienced members might be able to give more advice than me. good luck hope she is fine

[Spider66]

The temps are fine. I keep the hot spot at 93. She does not have any mucus or fluids from her nose or mouth. And makes no noises what so ever. She just spends most her day chillin in her cave like always lol. As for the eating, for the past almost 2 months she has pretty much refused food. I'm no expert, but I believe she may be fasting. I've read that BP sometimes take a break during the year sometime (can someone really confirm this?)

Other then that, yeah. She has been acting normal.

[K2exotics]

I have heard of them fasting and as long as she doesnt lose a bunch of weight I have heard it is fine for them to do, so you might want to keep an eye on that.

If she is acting normal then I would say just watch her..

what are you trying to feed her that she is refusing if you dont mind me asking.

[Spider66]

Her weight and size has not changed at all. At first, I was feeding her mice. Then she started to refuse them after awhile. So I took some advice and switched over to small rats (she was getting bigger by then) and that seem to have done the trick. So I have been feeding small rats lately.

Also, she has been fed live rodents her life. I have tried many times to feed her pre-killed rodents, but she just doesn't seem to like them. I have tried many tricks, warming them up and using tongs etc etc. But, she only seems to eat live. I know all about the dangers and would love to have her move over to pre-killed. But I have been having good luck with live food. Most of the time she eats them withen the first minute of placing them togather. And I always keep a close watch.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Just keep a really close eye on her weight.
What was her weight before she stopped feeding and what is it now?