Snake with RI, What would you do?

[johnabrams82]

I need some advice. I just bought a 1100g male cinnamon and after looking it over I think it has a mild RI. I called the guy I bought it from to see what he wanted to do. he said he didn't want to half the vet bill with me and he would rather just buy it back off me. so if you were in my situation would you... take it back, or keep it and take it to the vet. I'm hesitant to take it back because I don't think he will take care of it. as far as what symptoms he has its a little extra mucus in the mouth. not a whole lot just slightly more than my others have. and some wheezing. so what do you think? thanks in advance

[starmom]

Sounds like an RI. I am surprised that a breeder would ship a sick snake to you Who was this irresponsible person?
As for what you ought to do? Only you can make that decision; it is an ethical dilemma.

[edie]

TAKE IT TO A VET!

It doesn't sound like the guy you bought it from is willing to spend the extra money to have it looked at. If the RI is mild, or just started, then a vet check and antibiotics may clear it up completely for you (for me it was usually around $50 for exam and $20 for antibiotics).

[johnabrams82]

well hes a local guy. he has some high dollar animals too. but if hes not wanting to split the vet bill then I don't see him paying the whole thing. one more question. If I decide to take it to the vet what are the odds that he will recover? also the closest reptile vet is almost 50 miles away. will they give me the injections to take him and give them myself. or will I have to make the trip every couple days?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Selling a sick animal is unacceptable! If he had look the animal over he would have noticed what you noticed and should have never sold you this animal.

Personally I would take the animal back and get a full refund I would also never buy from this seller again.

[edie]

well hes a local guy. he has some high dollar animals too. but if hes not wanting to split the vet bill then I don't see him paying the whole thing. one more question. If I decide to take it to the vet what are the odds that he will recover? also the closest reptile vet is almost 50 miles away. will they give me the injections to take him and give them myself. or will I have to make the trip every couple days?

I'm not sure of the exact odds, but me and my vet have talked about this and he had told me that treating an RI early is the best thing for the snake, the longer it goes untreated - the harder/longer it may take for it to clear.

I have one snake who had an untreated RI for months before I took her in, her infection is antibiotic resistant and she hasn't gotten better with 2 different antibiotics, 5 vet exams, and her culture didn't give us any results. Her RI may never clear.

I do have one BP who got an RI, I took him to the vet at the first signs and after a month on antibiotics he seems to be better - no more wheezing or mucus.

It is up to you though, I'm a sucker and I would want whats best for the animal so I would take it on and pay for the vet bill myself, lots of different opinions out there on this though so thats just what I would do - not necessarily what you should do.

[Schlyne]

If I decide to take it to the vet what are the odds that he will recover? also the closest reptile vet is almost 50 miles away. will they give me the injections to take him and give them myself. or will I have to make the trip every couple days?

From what I've seen (and experienced with my vet) you get the injections and they will show you how to do the first one in the office. A mild RI is usually fairly curable.

I've never taken a snake that had mucus in the mouth going on though..

[starmom]

Well, here's the way I see it. The breeder is hoping you will keep the snake and take it to the vet so that he (the breeder) doesn't have to. For me, this is enabling a jerk to get away with selling sick animals. Also, if he/she was too careless to notice the RI, and if he/she has high end snakes, there is every likelihood that their snake collection is in the process of getting RI's- one more to shoot with meds won't make a difference.
If this were me? I'd totally agree with Becky and ask for a full refund. Then I would take your hard earned cash and get another beautiful and HEALTHY cinny from a respectable breeder.
My 2 cents

[kellysballs]

Personally I would take the animal back to the breeder and get my money back.

However you should make a decision quickly because the snake should be treated as soon as possible. I have aquired 2 snakes that came with mild RI (no visible mucus, slight weezing) I took them to my vet and for about $30.00 each the animals where treated and recovered very well.

Ultimately the decsion is yours but if you decied to keep the animal the injections are pretty easy to give.

[starmom]

Well, here's the way I see it. The breeder is hoping you will keep the snake and take it to the vet so that he (the breeder) doesn't have to. For me, this is enabling a jerk to get away with selling sick animals. Also, if he/she was too careless to notice the RI, and if he/she has high end snakes, there is every likelihood that their snake collection is in the process of getting RI's- one more to shoot with meds won't make a difference.
If this were me? I'd totally agree with Becky and ask for a full refund. Then I would take your hard earned cash and get another beautiful and HEALTHY cinny from a respectable breeder.
My 2 cents

Darn- I called Deb 'Becky' again. Know why? On reptilicious there is a member named Becky who uses the same type of avatar. Really- I'm not just a dweeb