My daughter brought home this week a ball python a friend of a friend "didn't want anymore". Poor thing was so sick with RI - blowing bubbles, head always up, labored breathing. After a culture at our reptile vet's office he's now getting injections of Baytril every day at the office (I was afraid I'd do more harm trying to do them myself, so we take him there). He's in a tank with higher heat as my vet wanted and we put him in a warm bath we we get him home every day. He's going in for his third shot today, two behind him, and He seems to be better, letting his mouth close most of the time while awake and even putting his head down occasionally. He does cough loudly once and awhile and hack some ick up, but seems to have a bit more energy. This morning when I just checked on him he's sleeping with his head up, mouth open and his breathing sounds like snoring, which concerns me. All the vet will tell me is that he's a very sick boy. I want to know what are his chances of surviving given we do everything the vet tells us. My daughter is getting very attached, and I'd like to prepare her if he doesn't have much of a chance, but I don't want to worry her if his chances are good of surviving now that he's on his medicine and under vet care. She's spending all her funds from her part- time job getting this poor guy proper care and I'm very proud of her, but hope it pays off in the end for her and she's rewarded with saving his life. Thanks for reading this, and any advice - I've never faced this with my snakes, and really only know to do what my vet says.