I need to check for RI

So I was doing routine cleaning and feeding today, and My Pastel who has been pretty spotty on feeding the last 2 months I noticed had a little weez. So I immediately start crapping my pants because I realize I have the potential of dealing with my first RI. Now my goal is to become a big enough basement breeder, where I don't really have to buy snakes anymore, I can just trade or breed the combos myself. And I have had my fingers crossed this whole time praying I don't have to deal with RI or worse. So now here I am, dealing. So I get the little bugger still, and try to get his mouth open. Now I'm 6'4'' 230 Pounds. My fingers are sausages to say the least. Not only that, the pastel is the most head shy out of all my boys, and hisses and puffs up more that usual when I tried to see if there was any mucus in his mouth. So my question is, what tricks do you guys know so I can safely get his mouth open and sneak a peak. Also if it is an RI, whats the average cost of curing it. I know ill need to go to a vet, but I was curious if it was going to break the bank at all. Thanks id advance, and a quick response will make this situation a lot less stressful.

Use a rubber spatula to open her mouth. Get a good grip, but not choking with your fingers right at the base of the head. Then just kinda gently push the edge of the rubber spatula in. (Remember I am talking rubber spatula and not plastic.) The vet visit was $50.00 and the medicine about $30.00 - $35.00 depending on if you use oral medication or injection. They can spit the oral out and it makes a big mess. We tried the liquid at first and it did not go well so we switched over to injections. Been working good so far. She seems cleared up and has 3 days left to go. We just hated to stress her out after just getting here. She still hasn't eaten, but hopefully she will next week. :please:

I can't really help you, but I hope he's alright.

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Originally Posted by tmartin2347

I can't really help you, but I hope he's alright.

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Thanks alot man. Hey let me know if you need any females on breeder loan. I know you are in pretty close proximity of me. You should come down and check out my spread. I got a female about to round 2000g that has been wagging and bowl wrapping but I am not breeding this year.

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Originally Posted by Gloryhound

Use a rubber spatula to open her mouth. Get a good grip, but not choking with your fingers right at the base of the head. Then just kinda gently push the edge of the rubber spatula in. (Remember I am talking rubber spatula and not plastic.) The vet visit was $50.00 and the medicine about $30.00 - $35.00 depending on if you use oral medication or injection. They can spit the oral out and it makes a big mess. We tried the liquid at first and it did not go well so we switched over to injections. Been working good so far. She seems cleared up and has 3 days left to go. We just hated to stress her out after just getting here. She still hasn't eaten, but hopefully she will next week. :please:

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Hey I got his mouth open with the spatula thing and its an RI. Little stringy snotty looking mucus? Thats what it looks like and i bet it isnt normal. The weez is pretty faint right now. Im not sure how long its been since it first developed. 3-5 days maybe. Im pretty sure this all started because I didn't change his aspen substrate since he wasnt eating, and just spot checked it for a few regular cleanings. When I put him back in I noticed the bedding was really really dried out and the only thing generating humidity was the water dish. I guess its a rooky mistake, and ill do my best to learn from it.

Let us know how the vet visit goes.

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Originally Posted by WellyBelly

Hey I got his mouth open with the spatula thing and its an RI. Little stringy snotty looking mucus? Thats what it looks like and i bet it isnt normal. The weez is pretty faint right now. Im not sure how long its been since it first developed. 3-5 days maybe. Im pretty sure this all started because I didn't change his aspen substrate since he wasnt eating, and just spot checked it for a few regular cleanings. When I put him back in I noticed the bedding was really really dried out and the only thing generating humidity was the water dish. I guess its a rooky mistake, and ill do my best to learn from it.

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I've always been fine when I catch the wheeze or bubbling before it gets to the point of yawning, so I think your animal will certainly be OK with antibiotic treatment. In my experience they seem well within a few shots, though you must complete the course of antibiotics, and go back on feed about a month later.

Good Luck!

Let us know how everything goes. Best of luck! I hope he gets better soon and eats up a storm ;)