possible RI

[reptile_lover07]

I think my boa has a respiratory infection. I'm going to get him into the vet as soon as I can. Until then I switched his cage to paper towels and raised the cage temperature. He's in a room away from all my other reptiles. Is there anything else I can do to help him? Also, he is supposed to be eating tonight. Should I still feed him or not? Thanks for any help

[JimiSnakes]

Sounds like you're on the right path, but I would skip feeding him. It's never a good idea to feed a sick boa.

[reptile_lover07]

That's what I thought. The earliest I could get him to the vet is Friday. He seems to be doing a little bit better tonight.

[blackcrystal22]

Up the humidity a little bit. :]

What are the signs? I thought my boa had an RI because of popping sounds, and opening his mouth, but really he had a piece of shed stuck on one of his nostrils and it was just messing with his breathing a little bit.

[tigerretic76]

that is a very easy thing to "misdiagnose". i cant even tell you how many people have come in to my hospital and say their snake as a uri and they need antibiotics, and upon close examination, it was just retained shed in the nostril(s). so, you may want to take a little flashlight and check that out first before you spend money to have them tell you that. im not saying that its not a uri, but it may be worth you checking for that first. also, even if it is a uri, you may have caught it early enough to where you can up your temps and humidity some, and try to see if your snake can fight it off himself. just a couple ideas and suggestions

[reptile_lover07]

I checked his nostrils. No stuck shed. He's keeping his head rasied, breathing through his mouth, spitting up saliva/mucus, puffed out throat, bloating, popping sounds when he breathes. I hope it's just a misdiagnosis but I think I'll bring him to vet anyway.

[tigerretic76]

i would say, medically, that is a severe uri, and antibiotics and husbandry change is in order yesterday. you may even to give him dual antibiotics if its that bad. good luck