Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 839

0 members and 839 guests
No Members online
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.

» Today's Birthdays

» Stats

Members: 75,905
Threads: 249,104
Posts: 2,572,103
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, Pattyhud

Ball Python sick ?

Printable View

  • 09-08-2023, 10:05 AM
    tdollaasignn
    Ball Python sick ?
    Goodmorning, I have a BP that’s acting strange, a few days ago when I was holding him he was trying to dig into my skin and moving very odd, I caught onto it automatically but I just decided to put him back in his tank and let him be. Yesterday my mother goes to hold him and she says he had clear liquid coming out of his nose/mouth. I plan on taking him to the vet today but I wanted to know if there were any other options or pieces of advice before taking him there, my mind is thinking respiratory infection but his humidity does not pass 75% at all.. put periodically he’s under his water bowl.
  • 09-08-2023, 10:25 AM
    Homebody
    Re: Ball Python sick ?
    Temps that are too low can lead to respiratory infection. What are your enclosure temps (ambient, basking, cool side)?
  • 09-08-2023, 11:18 AM
    Bogertophis
    I agree- likely RI- & it's MOST likely from being too cool -it lowers their immune system functioning. ;) (Though you don't want excessively high humidity either.)

    "Digging into you" was likely your snake trying to clear his nose to breathe- keep in mind that snakes cannot cough to clear secretions, so an RI can kill them pretty quickly- it's pretty horrible to be unable to breathe, so get your snake seen by a qualified herp vet A.S.A.P. is my recommendation. Delay could mean your pet dies.

    If you need to find a vet- this may help: https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

    PS- Open mouth breathing &/or head shaking by your snake is another sign he's having trouble breathing & may be in serious trouble.
  • 09-08-2023, 11:36 PM
    dakski
    Re: Ball Python sick ?
    Is he eating? Still symptomatic?

    RI's = vet visit with a qualified reptile vet, and sooner rather than later.

    If it's an RI, they will have to do a Tracheal Wash to determine what kind of RI (bacterial of fungal) and what type. Otherwise, you are throwing darts trying to treat.

    Our Carpet Python, Yafe, came with an RI because Fedex lost him and his package. An immediate vet visit, tracheal, and proper antibiotic injections and then nebulizer treatments saved his life. He was young and about 100g then. He's now almost 2kg and 7ft and is doing great.

    In his case it was stress from travel and low temps. However, stress, humidity too high or low, improper temps, etc. can all cause RI's.

    Once you find out what's going on and cure your snake, you will want to figure out why he got it in the first place.

    We are here to help. Let us know what the vet says and we can be of more assistance.
  • 09-12-2023, 09:25 AM
    Bogertophis
    So how's your snake? Any update? How did the vet visit go?

    BTW, what are the high & low temperatures in his home- you never did say? You also mentioned he was going under his water bowl- & that could mean he's seeking a sense of "security"- OR- he's seeking the humidity & a cooler temperature. We ask about his temperatures because it's also harmful if a snake is too hot- either one (too cool or too hot) can impact your snake's health. It's very important that you get this right when you keep a snake in a cage, because he cannot seek what he needs- he's stuck with only what you've provided. I hope he's getting better by now?
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1