New BP - Sick?

[KareBear]

I just bought my first ball python a week ago. I just wanted to check if some of her behaviour is normal or not. I've read all the care sheets I could find on the net, but none of them really go into detail about what symptoms of sickness are.

All of the care sheets say that BPs are very inactive, but mine will literally stay in one spot indefinately until I move her. I haven't noticed her coming out for water at all unless I place her by the dish, then she'll drink. I know that you're suppossed to leave them alone for the first few weeks after you buy them but I was worried that she wasn't drinking. When i've gone to move her like this, i've noticed that she makes a "popping" kind of noise when I touch her. I've read that this is a sign of an RI, but is it still a symptom if she only does it when I touch her and not all the time? The care sheets also say to look out for stargazing and opening the mouth. When i've moved her near the water dish, she will raise her head towards the sky, but not for a long amount of time, maybe 20 seconds, and she also "yawns" a few times. Is this the same as gaping the mouth?

Thanks!

[Brimstone111888]

BP's drink trust me. They just do it when your not looking. Originally it all sounds normal, until you said you looks up and yawns multiple times. That in conjunction with everything else you mentioned, sounds like a RI. The BP will need medical treatment.

[joepythons]

I just bought my first ball python a week ago. I just wanted to check if some of her behaviour is normal or not. I've read all the care sheets I could find on the net, but none of them really go into detail about what symptoms of sickness are.

All of the care sheets say that BPs are very inactive, but mine will literally stay in one spot indefinately until I move her. I haven't noticed her coming out for water at all unless I place her by the dish, then she'll drink. I know that you're suppossed to leave them alone for the first few weeks after you buy them but I was worried that she wasn't drinking. When i've gone to move her like this, i've noticed that she makes a "popping" kind of noise when I touch her. I've read that this is a sign of an RI, but is it still a symptom if she only does it when I touch her and not all the time? The care sheets also say to look out for stargazing and opening the mouth. When i've moved her near the water dish, she will raise her head towards the sky, but not for a long amount of time, maybe 20 seconds, and she also "yawns" a few times. Is this the same as gaping the mouth?

Thanks!

Do you see slime coming out of her mouth or can you see any in her mouth? If you notice slime in her mouth then yes its URI.Please make a vet app

[KareBear]

I don't notice any slime or mucus in her mouth at all. She has also been more active lately. I think I misunderstood the "stargazing" term. She doesn't sit with her nose pointed up, just with her head held an inch or two higher than her body, but with her head horizontal, not vertical. Does that change anything?
Also, i think she's shedding. Her eyes were blue a few days ago, now they're clear again, but she's still a tiny bit dull on her body.
One new thing that i'm wondering about, is that her skin tonight looks really wrinkly and almost sunken in. Is this a normal part of the shedding process??She does still "yawn" every now and then as well. Do snakes ever just yawn like that?

[joepythons]

I don't notice any slime or mucus in her mouth at all. She has also been more active lately. I think I misunderstood the "stargazing" term. She doesn't sit with her nose pointed up, just with her head held an inch or two higher than her body, but with her head horizontal, not vertical. Does that change anything?
Also, i think she's shedding. Her eyes were blue a few days ago, now they're clear again, but she's still a tiny bit dull on her body.
One new thing that i'm wondering about, is that her skin tonight looks really wrinkly and almost sunken in. Is this a normal part of the shedding process??She does still "yawn" every now and then as well. Do snakes ever just yawn like that?

Yes she is getting ready to shed.If you spray her enclosure some(not soaked) it will up the humidity and help her do a perfect shed(hopefully lol).Once she has shed listen for the popping noises and they might be gone,if not then a vet app is needed.Keep us posted

[reptile3]

I just posted a few days ago, about my bp was doing the same thing. I took George to the vet. he has pneumonia, he is on baytril antibiotics. I have to give him shots for the next 2 weeks. Please take your bp to a vet, one that specializes in Exotic pets. These people on this site are awesome, I asked help & they gave me help. Also keep the temps in your bp's home above 92-95.

George was making that little popping nose... and constantly opening his mouth. He had no white slime or anything that was mentioned about URI. But he did have this crust on his upper mouth. He moved around more today. I gave him a bath, he enjoyed that.

[dr del]

Hi,

I would hold off on the vet until the shed is over as it should only be a couple of days now really.

Just my 2c.


dr del

[KareBear]

Ok I am seriously stumped.

She is obviously VERY ready to shed (dull, very wrinkly etc) but she still hasn't and she's been like this 3 days now. I have her humidity up to 70%, and I tried a warm bath today.....nothing. There arn't even any loose scales anywhere....
What should i do? I'm really worried about her.
She also opens her mouth alot still...is that because she needs to shed?

[KareBear]

Wanted to add that i've also added wet moss under her enclosure, but now she won't go in there. It actually seems like she's avoiding moist places....

[shizzybrane]

im going through the same thing right now. I'm slightly worried too... but not of RI. When I first got my BP he was really nice and loved to be held but since he's gone into shedding, he's become really agitated. I know some of it was when his eyes were cloudy, but he's been "uncloudy" for a day now and he still gets really startled at sudden movements - something he wasn't TOO bothered by before. It has also taken him a long time to do this shed - about a week and a half now. He doesn't have any loose scales yet, but he's very wrinkly in the neck.

are these common occurrences while a BP is shedding? someone please tell me i'm just trippin cuz i hope my ball is going to return back to the happy snake he was after this whole shedding ordeal.