Respiratory Infection?

Quick debatable questions i would like to get answered from an experienced ball python keeper, for the infection should i:

Raise temps higher than 90?

Increase or decrease humidity? (A lot of people lay one or the other)

Give it baytril injections once every 72 hours? (different time?)

How long should it be quarantined?

Thank you very much, you hopefully just saved my Pastel Ball Python (Bad picture but he sure is beautiful in the light!)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/...708012044a.jpg

Raise temps, higher humidity can help break up some of the mucus, and go to ur vet and get a culture done ASAP. Follow ur vets advise for meds but generally injections of baytril are every 72 hours.

Injections should be the same time everytime. And quarantine until ur vet gives u the go ahead. But u should address the reason ur snake got sick first.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mpkeelee

Raise temps, higher humidity can help break up some of the mucus, and go to ur vet and get a culture done ASAP. Follow ur vets advise for meds but generally injections of baytril are every 72 hours.

Injections should be the same time everytime. And quarantine until ur vet gives u the go ahead. But u should address the reason ur snake got sick first.

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No clue how it became sick. I think it was because of too much humidity? we got it in a tub with barely any air holes and made it like a sweat shop, would you suggest i lower the humidity then? or higher still?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mpkeelee

Raise temps, higher humidity can help break up some of the mucus, and go to ur vet and get a culture done ASAP. Follow ur vets advise for meds but generally injections of baytril are every 72 hours.

Injections should be the same time everytime. And quarantine until ur vet gives u the go ahead. But u should address the reason ur snake got sick first.

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x2

Generally High humidity isn't the culprit. The biggest cause for ris is the snake is Too cold and cant get to the optimal temps. Cool temps and stress can lower an immune system. When your snake has an Ri and is on abos. Humidity is a must. Bump your humidity to help keep the lungs clear. Drying her out could cause the mucus to scar the lungs potentially creating a deadly issue. She also needs the humidity to keep her hydrated. Abos are extremely hard on the kidneys. The hydration will help with that. Bump your heat to 94.f hotside. Make sure your coolside isn't too low. There is a problem somewhere. Make sure it stays low stress no handling. Make sure your temps are accurate, and make sure there's no drafty windows around her. Check everything and then double check it.
Is your heat on 24/7? How are you heating?
If every 72 hours are your vets directions then do that to a t. If your doing injections make sure you switch sides every injection so the spot doesn't become necrotic. Do the injection at the same time of day. And try and Give them with as little stress as possible.
Well hope this helps.


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he is in a 20 gallon long tank, one side has a big water bowl where he can submerse himself at anytime, i just put that in since i noticed his left eye started to dent because of dehydration. (someone told me no humidity). The side with his water is the cool side, roughly 90. The right side has a big hide for him, a heat pad under for a solid core heat and then a 60w bulb on top in the middle of the tank so it gives the water evaporation for humidity and keeps the hot side above 92. I try to clean the mucus off the sides everyday and switch his paper towels every other day. The heat light is on 24/7 since it is a night bulb and he gets daylight from the sun. No drafting what so ever. Am i doing this right? Please let me know.

Do you have a hydrometer? if not get one.

A hyGrometer might be a better option. It measures humidity.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mykee

A hyGrometer might be a better option. It measures humidity.

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LOL yea sorry typo my fail...

High humidity isn't necessarily a cause by itself but high humidity and poor air circulation is absolutely a cause. You need a test done respiratory infection is a very general term it is like saying sore throat. There are lots of bacteria that can cause 'RI' and a hand full of fungal infections that can too. High humidity and low air flow is good growing grounds of both. Baytril is a wide spectrum antibiotic and will do absolutely nothing for a fugal infection. You need to identify what you have. Fix the problem, more air holes, using the humidity from exhaling breaths is not a good way to prevent poor sheds. Make sure your temps are correct you will as suggested raise them a bit that means the ambient temp too should be 81-86ºF.

ref. Dr J Rossi DMV What's wrong with my snake