Probable respiratory infection.

While handling him today, I noticed an occasional clicking noise coming from his mouth/nostrils. Like that bubbly sort of clicking noise. It almost sounded weezy at a couple of points, but it's hard to tell. It's very quiet, and he's not showing any other symptoms. No gaping, no elevating his head, nothing. He's behaving normally. But I say "probable", because I know that there's really nothing else that sort of breathing could indicate. So, I'm assuming it's the beginnings of an RI. I'd love to check for bubbles inside his mouth, but he absolutely will not hold still for me, so that's out.

So, I dunno. What do you think? Is it something I should schedule a vet appointment for? Or am I paranoid and there's a chance that it isn't even an infection? I'm thinking I might want to try the home remedy explained in this thread: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-from-Home-DIY, considering I have a Repti-Fogger. Only problem is that I'd need to get the veterinary disinfectant, and it looks like I might only be able to get that online. Depending on how quickly it ships, I dunno. Could it wait a few days?

Also, what should I do about husbandry to prevent this from happening again? Keeping constant temperature and humidity in this house is... near impossible. So, I'd understand if it's just entirely my fault. But I'm trying my best. The hot side of the terrarium is most often at a constant 87 F, but I've caught it as low as 83 and as high as 91. The cool side tends to stay at around 77 or 78. Without the Repti-Fogger, humidity would just be at a constant 20 or 30%, but with the fogger on a timer, it fluctuates between 40 and 60%. I'm eventually just gonna get a new terrarium, because this screen-top is a nightmare to work with, but I just don't have that money right now. So, I'm trying to make this work.

Any advice, tips, opinions, etc. are greatly appreciated.

My general rule of thumb, is wait till you see 2 symptoms. You now have 1. Once you see two, it's time for a vet.

However, now you need to ask yourself, "Why did this happen".

Check your temps, your humidity, if there is too much air blowing into the enclosure - or not enough. RI's don't just happen for no reason.

You mentioned that your hot side is unstable... Do you have a UTH with a thermostat? Also a heat lamp on a dimmer?

As for humidity: Your screen top is cheaply fixed... Get some foil and duct tape, measure it out, overlap the tape to ensure its sealed. I tape mine onto the trim of the screen, helps hold it down as you lift the top etc. of course you want one ventilation... A hole 1 inch larger than the lamp <if you have one> and one inch on the opposite side for air draw. That will not only hold in humidity, but it will also help hold your heat in and give a more constant temperature range.

I really hope you get him better, be yet to deal with an RI and hope to never have to.

Hi,

Is he shedding?

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Originally Posted by Rickys_Reptiles

My general rule of thumb, is wait till you see 2 symptoms. You now have 1. Once you see two, it's time for a vet.

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Good rule, thank you! Needless to say, I'll be on the lookout.

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Originally Posted by MsMissy

You mentioned that your hot side is unstable... Do you have a UTH with a thermostat? Also a heat lamp on a dimmer?

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Thank you for the tips. I do have a UTH and a thermostat, but they aren't hooked up yet. I need to drill another hole into the edge of the terrarium's lid to get the probe inside... Another reason that I'd just like to get another terrarium that already has the necessary openings to stick wires through for probes and sensors and whatnot. I've already had to drill one for the Repti-Fogger's sensor.

The heat lamp I have doesn't have a dimmer, but it's suspended above the screen. My oh-so innovative way of controlling temperature, for the time being, is either lowering it closer to the screen, or raising it further. Seems to make a difference of at least a couple of degrees.

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Is he shedding?

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He is due, but he's currently not in shed. His belly has been looking pink, and I've been expecting to find him all blue and cloudy for the past week, but so far, nothing.

Just for clarity, the UTH pad goes on the bottom<outside> of the tank, the probe for the thermostat you sandwich between the glass and the pad. The only wiring you will have inside would be the probe from a thermometer buried under the substrate, on top of the heat pad. <oh how I wish I could drill a couple holes in the glass of mine to minimize how much is in there.>

hope this helps...

The shedding process can cause the nostrils to become obstructed as the fluid layer builds along with the new layer of skin.

I would wait until after the shed unless you see any other symptoms suck as mucus smeared on the tank furniture or in the waterbowl, raised head open mouthed breathing etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MsMissy

Just for clarity, the UTH pad goes on the bottom<outside> of the tank, the probe for the thermostat you sandwich between the glass and the pad. The only wiring you will have inside would be the probe from a thermometer buried under the substrate, on top of the heat pad. <oh how I wish I could drill a couple holes in the glass of mine to minimize how much is in there.>

hope this helps...

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Oy, I feel dumb now, I expected the probe to go inside the tank. Thank you for letting me know that! I'm sure I have a temp gun somewhere, so actually, it sounds like I don't need to have any more wiring inside the enclosure... hehe.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

The shedding process can cause the nostrils to become obstructed as the fluid layer builds along with the new layer of skin.

I would wait until after the shed unless you see any other symptoms suck as mucus smeared on the tank furniture or in the waterbowl, raised head open mouthed breathing etc.

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This is VERY helpful information, thank you! Where before his belly was only pinkish, it's pretty noticeably pink now, so it shouldn't be too long... I hope that's the case! So far, no other symptoms. :)

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Originally Posted by Lion

This is VERY helpful information, thank you! Where before his belly was only pinkish, it's pretty noticeably pink now, so it shouldn't be too long... I hope that's the case! So far, no other symptoms. :)

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I hope this is the case too!! Keep us posted! :)

I too use a temp gun but also have the acurite thermostat with a probe for my temps. The probe goes on top to gauge the hot spot temp, then you put the body on the cool side for that temp. It also gauges humidity. Helpful and worth dealing with the wiring for the info it provides.