R.I.'s general advice please

Do R.I's clear up on their own? If meds have been given should they have been stopped while there was still any idication of a wheezing sound left? If an adult snake has an RI (treated medically or not) will it's health be affected long term?

This is to do with a 4.5 ft red tailed boa (male) that someone I met has very recently acquired.


~~Jo~~

RI's generally do not clear up on their own. The meds should be given for as long as the vet prescribed them, if wheezing continues I would contact the vet. RI will greatly effect the health of any snake if left untreated.

My advice: Tell them to take it to the vet :)

an RI is nothing to mess around with. an asap visit to the vet is the best thing to do if an RI is suspected or possibly not completely taken care of by previous medication.

Thanks for the quick response. That's my first instinct...vet visit.

I just feel it's not my place to give this girl advice on the care of a red tail boa, other than basic enclosure set-up (which I did last night) and basic snake handling as far as settling the snake in and so forth. I know squat about RTB's, other than a fast read through a few caresheets and I know my limits. I'll phone her later today and suggest she call the vet we use for a check-up.

I've also given her a couple of forums sites suggested by Adam (thanks Adam!). It's an interesting choice for a first snake.


~~Joanna~~