respiratory problems?

My new (and first) ball may have a respiratory problem. He appears to yawn frequently and keeps his head in a verticle position quite often. He spit up a yellow substance yesterday also-unless it was poop. I've had him 3 weeks and he has not eaten yet. All living conditions seem to be what is required. 80-85 degrees, 50% humidity, water, enclosure in a 20 gal glass tank with basking lamp. He is 18 inches long. This seems to be a great website. thanks for any help!

The ambient (overall) temperature needs to be 80/85 but it needs a warmer side that is 90. Humidity should be higher. More like 65% or more. If it is showing signs of an RI your only option is a vet visit for a culture and antibiotics.

They usually will not go away without antibiotics. Raising the temp and humidity will help ease the snakes discomfort though and help keep any mucus from building up.

The yellow thing you saw is most likely urates. The poo, pee, and pee solid (white and yellow chunks). This is normal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

The ambient (overall) temperature needs to be 80/85 but it needs a warmer side that is 90. Humidity should be higher. More like 65% or more. If it is showing signs of an RI your only option is a vet visit for a culture and antibiotics.

They usually will not go away without antibiotics. Raising the temp and humidity will help ease the snakes discomfort though and help keep any mucus from building up.

The yellow thing you saw is most likely urates. The poo, pee, and pee solid (white and yellow chunks). This is normal.

---

Ok. Thanks for the info. I will try raising both the temp and humidity

Hi Kimo,
Glad you started a new thread I think it'll prove to be more helpful. I agree with what foschi has said. I beleive in the reply I posted in the thread that you had posted this originally, that the warm side needs to be 90-92 and your humidity higher. These could be signs of an impending RI, are there any other symptoms? Wheezing, coughing? Mucus? I'd go to the vet to make sure but staring straight up could be signs of other things, more serious things. I don't want to jump to conclusions and
In no means should you. Has it had any contact with any other snakes? How long have you had him. Where did you get him. Bc of the cooler temps I suspect more an RI. Something to definately keep
An eye on and if symptoms continue vet him asap.