How dangerous are respiratory infections?

[m1lkhoney]

First of all, I know this is probably my fault. (Don't need to get into that again.) His temps are ok- Anyway the point is: I think my snake may have a respiratory infection. He's wheezing and clicking When he breathes and I doubt it is stuck shed. There's no discharge or foaming or anything; I checked his mouth and it looks normal. But his wheezing is concerning me. Assuming he DID have some sort of infection, would it be
okay to wait two days until the reptile clinic is open? He's not showing any other signs of distress or illness but again, wheezing and clicking. :/

If it's an emergency, there's probably a vet out of town... but if he's safe for a couple of days I would rather go to the vet in town, because I've spoken with her and know her reputation. And frankly, I'm only human and it is easier than finding someone to drive me nearly an hour away.

[PitOnTheProwl]

It can be deadly, yes.
Make sure your temperatures are good and leave the snake alone.
The more you screw with it, the more you are stressing it which can increase problems.
I you do take it to the vet you need to make sure they take a culture and don't let them just throw baytril at it.

[Check-Raiser]

RI infections are deadly to snakes and can quickly deteriorate your ball pythons health. It's a good thing that you are addressing the symptom early on, as the evidence of foaming saliva outside the mouth is usually an indication of an advanced RI. Until you can get help from a vet (soon that is), try bumping up the humidity a bit and increasing the basal aquarium temp. Once you get it on a Rx regimen, disinfect the cage daily (I keep secondary, open tubs readied) and change the water often. I wish your bp has a speedy recovery.

[m1lkhoney]

Thank you so much! I have been told by others to wait a couple days and see but my gut tells something is wrong.

[m1lkhoney]

My poor baby. I just checked even the out of town exotic vets and they are closed. I hope he's not in too much pain...

[bcr229]

Isolate his enclosure in a separate room from any other snakes you have so they don't get sick. He should be in a minimalistic setup - paper, plastic hides, water bowl - the same as a QT enclosure so you can clean and disinfect it daily. If he was on wood/aspen substrate in his old enclosure then throw away the substrate, and thoroughly clean and disinfect everything else that was in it.

Bump up his temps and humidity.

Vet appointment ASAP.

[m1lkhoney]

Ok, tank clean and sanitized, substrate tossed, bumped heat and humidity and going to the herp vet as soon as they open. thank you!