I think my BP is sick ...

[AndrewGeibel]

I have only had my ball python for about 10 days. When I picked him up, he seemed healthy. He wasn't under weight had no signs of mites and his mouth and nose were clear of any liquid. I fed him last saturday for the first time and he redily took a frozen then thawed mouse. He is about 17 inches long. After he ate I didn't see much of him for a few days. He mostly stayed in his one of his small hides. When he came back out, his eyes were fogged over. From what I understand, this is a common sign that he will be shedding fairly soon. He also seemed more uncomfortable with being handled. Today I noticed that every couple minutes when he breathes it makes a slight "clicking sound". This makes me think that he might have a RI. One other thing that I just noticed is that when he curls up the skin right next to his head folds a little and some of the scales don't lay flat. Does this mean that he is dehydrated because the humidity is too low and might this be a cause of the clicking while breathing? I need to know asap so I can get him to a vet if he needs it. Thanks.

Andrew

[AndrewGeibel]

I also would like to know what if anything I should change in his cage the air temperature is in the mid 80's on the warm side and about 80 on the cool side. Should I warm it up a bit until I find out more about what he might need?

[Jeanne]

Please read immediately http://ball-pythons.net/modules.php?...warticle&id=59


Also, I just have to ask, cause I think I misunderstood what you wrote.. are you saying you fed your snake a frozen rodent, then a thawed one... or are you saying you fed your snake a thawed rodent that use to be frozen?

[AndrewGeibel]

Oh ya sorry that wasn't clear. It was a thawed mouse that used to be frozen. I thawed it and then warmed it slightly.

[joepythons]

I also would like to know what if anything I should change in his cage the air temperature is in the mid 80's on the warm side and about 80 on the cool side. Should I warm it up a bit until I find out more about what he might need?

Welcome to the group .Well first off your hot side temp is way to low,it needs to be 90ish.So has this been the temps the whole time you have had him? If so then he could have URI,since i am unable to see the snake i can not guarentee this.Now with his skin being kinda wrinkly(i think thats how you said it) it could be from being dehydrated(once again not being able to see him no guarentee).Please raise your temps up to the 90ish range and just for safety sake please contact a reptile vet.If you need any more questions answered ask away

[BPGirl]

When a BP sheds its skin can sometimes get wrinkly, and they often get jumpy because they cant see very well right before shedding. What is your humididty at? As far as the clicking sound I would go see a vet right away.

[Jeanne]

Oh ya sorry that wasn't clear. It was a thawed mouse that used to be frozen. I thawed it and then warmed it slightly.

Cool, just making sure..

[recycling goddess]

Greetings and Welcome to the Forum!

Clicking can happen during a shed... so I'm guessing here that if you snake is in shed... then it's probably not an RI but only a vet can tell you that for sure... and since I can't see or hear your snake... I can only guess.

Our caresheet is wonderful... as Jeanne already posted for you.

If you have anymore questions after reading the caresheet... feel free to ask!

in light,
Aleesha

[recycling goddess]

Jeanne I read that the same way... glad it wasn't just me

[AndrewGeibel]

Ya sorry about the awkward wording about the feeding. I have been up too late this week doing homework. I have raised the temperature in the cage and I will find a vet tomorrow. To those who said they could not know what might be wrong without seeing him, would pictures help you? or would you have to actually see and handle him?