RI Help

[SiQ']

Alright so I just kept my snake out and pretty much forced his face near my ear for 15 mins and every once and while he makes gasp for air or you hear a slight pop.

I need to know from anyone who has delt with it what are the next steps and how to deal with it. I have already moved him to another room in the house but as far as my other snakes go and tubs and such how should I go about that?

Pleas help guys

Thank you

Corey

[angllady2]

First of all, are you sure it's an RI ? They do make slight sounds when they breathe, especially if they are uncomfortable or annoyed.

I can't tell you about beginning stage RI symptoms, but I can tell you, you cannot miss advanced stage. Ever had a bad chest cold ? That is what your snake will sound like. Their breathing will become labored and noisy, even when at rest. When you pick them up you'll be able to feel the mucous bubbling in the lung. They will yawn and bubble at the mouth, they'll wipe their heads on everything, trying to wipe the mucous off. Every now and then they'll give a forceful exhale which will make a distinct wheeze, the closest the poor things can come to a cough.

I have read extensively here on them because I'm treating one in an abandoned ball I rescued. What I've read and been practicing is warmth, humidity, quiet, quarantine and antibiotics. I quarantined my girl, bumped her temps up a few degrees, ran a DYI humidifier into her tub, made a vet visit and started antibiotic injections. After 3 weeks, she's doing much better, but is not 100% so we went back for more antibiotics. Practice extreme hygiene between your sick snake and the others, as an RI is very contagious from what I understand. I take care of my sick girl last, then remove any clothing that came into contact with her and wash my hands and arms to the elbows before I even think about going back into my bedroom/snake room.

I will advise you, it is sometimes difficult to diagnose an RI that isn't full blown yet, I believe the recommended course in that case is a throat culture ? Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.

I wish you and your baby the best.

Gale

[TheWinWizard]

Bump up the temps in the enclosure.

[NewParadigms]

The SnakeBytesTV Episode "My Snake is Down With the Sickness" had some good info on RIs and treating them. It also has some good info on some other common snake health issues.

http://snakebytes.tv/index.php?optio...=238&Itemid=14

[SiQ']

we went to the vet today I guess I just over reacted. He said that it was most likly that he got into dust. He should no signs today and no mucus inside of his mouth. If anything flares up I will take him back but he said he doubts it.

[Homegrownscales]

I have a 2 year imd I hatched myself that does a whistle everytime she exhales hard. She's had it ever since she came out of her egg. For some it's a natural thing for others it could be a peice of stuck shed. And then you can have whistles and pops as beginning RIs. All you do is bump up the temps a few degrees and watch them to see if it's progressing. But when it's a developing RI its not every 15 min it's every breath in and out. You were smart to go to the vet. Glad to know your kiddos alright.
Morgan

[SiQ']

thanks yah I needed to know and make sure I wasnt going to let him suffer or a chance of letting any of my other ones suffer. I knew getting into the addiction that the vets could happen so I was prepared.

[Homegrownscales]

Vets happen no matter what. But the best thing is to know that and be prepared. It irks me when people get especially exotics and them expect to never go to the vet. It's just nature. But with good care and husbandry you cut your chances to very slim of having to make a vet trip. Most of my rescues have come from people that didn't think the vet was necessary when it was totally obvious, or they couldn't because of financial reasons. Every month I set aside a 20-50$ just for a vet fund. Especially taking In rescues I end up seeing my vet quite often he's awesome though. No matter what day except Sunday I can go down there by 4:30pm and see him.