Ball Python please Help..
My Ball Python is about 12 years old, He is actually one of my friends that i have been looking after for a while.
Im not to sure is he is sick or what? he usually is curled up in a ball in the tank or in his hide but at the moment he is completely spead out in his tank, he is moving very slowly if he even moves at all and has been of off his food for about a month now and i have no idea what is wrong with him.
Could anyone shed some light on this for me im quite worried about him.
Cheers
Dave
Re: Ball Python please Help..
It doesn't SOUND like there's anything wrong with him, based on the little bit of description that you gave.
Some questions that might help clarify things...
1. Can you describe the set-up he's in?
-- Type and size of enclosure
-- Substrate
-- Heat source
-- Temperature range you maintain
-- Method of measuring the temps
-- Method of measuring humdiity
-- Type of hide(s)
2. Have you seen any signs of mucus around the mouth or any signs of difficulty breathing?
-- Laying with head propped upward the vast majority of the time
-- Slimy stuff smeared on sides of enclosure or hides
-- Bubbles or slime around the mouth
-- Laying with the mouth slightly ajar or open
-- Wheezing, whistling, or clicking sounds when breathing
It's not uncommon at all for mature ball pythons to go off feed...sometimes for weeks and even months at a time. This is most common in the winter months, but can happen at any time. It's very likely he has his mind more on wanting to go find a mate than anything else....which is perfectly normal and harmless.
Re: Ball Python please Help..
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wavodave
RI, this maybe a stupid statement but does that stand for Respitory Infection?
Yes
Re: Ball Python please Help..
Even with detailed pictures and descriptions, it's really hard to diagnose anything over the internet. Sometimes, if conditions are extreme enough, we can make a pretty educated guess, but this is not one of those times.
If the snake is suffering from an RI, then only a qualified vet can diagnose and treat it (usually with prescribed antibiotic shots). If left untreated, it will get worse and can lead to death. That does not mean, however, that your snake DOES have an RI. We just can't tell that for you.
My advice is to wait and see. The behaviors you've described can be attributed to many different harmless things besides RI.
While you're watching and waiting, I would highly recommend that you read the Care Sheet carefully and work on tweaking the enclosure to a more optimum set up. :)