New ball python and have some health questions?

good news
:taz:

I have a temperature probe reader right by the hide in his basking area, and then I have a humidity reader on the other side of his tank. The humidity is normally between 70-80. The heat pad does not have a thermostat, but I leave it on 24/7 so he always has that as a heat source. I've been thinking of getting a thermostat though since I'm having a hard time getting his temps up.

Yes, the previous owner fed him a medium sized rat right before I picked him and then she suggested to give two more when I got him. Which is DEFINITELY way too much. I had thought it would be ok to feed that much since that's what the previous owner had been doing for awhile but was planning on confirming with a call to vet (before the emergency visit). The vet said to feed less and go to 1 medium rat every two weeks or so. So I'm also wondering if the vomiting was also from overfeeding and then being handled, since I had left him alone until i went to put him in the water bath. He threw up two hours after that.

He wasn't having any bubbles or mucus when he breathed, and I just checked his discharge sheet from the vet and this was what was mentioned for his mouth: Oral-Gastrointestinal: Oral examination revealed a focal swelling on the oral aspectof the left mandible (suspect cellulitis), no ulcers, plaques or erythema appreciated.

So you are using digital temp and humidity gauges? If they are dial type... Get rid of them now. Those nvr read correctly..ever. What are your current temps reading? Hot side temp? Cool side temp?

Heat pad... Please go read the caresheet on this site immediately. And for love of prince.. Unplug tht heat pad until you get a proper thermostat for it. At this point, who knows if its too hot or even not putting out enough heat.. Where is the heat pad and how are you monitoring this heat pad? How much substrate do you have in cage..is heat pad on inside or outside?

How long after feeding were you handling that snake? And feed as your vet suggests currently. Nevermind what previous owner says they were doing.

As you can seethr are alot of questions being asked about the caging.. Very specific ones.. W more info we may be able to help.. But honestly, it sounds like snakes environment caused mouth rot..and temps are potentially way off. And him vomiting could simply be, you held him too soon AFTER OVER FEEDING..

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

1. Digital thermometers. One for hot side and one for cold. (Basking spot needs to be 90 and cold side needs to be 80.)
2. Digital hygrometer. Keep humidity between 50% to 60% all the time and 70% to 80% in shed.
3. thermostat. The heat pad WILL burn your snake. You need a thermostat so you can set the pad to a safe temp.
4. Food. Never bigger than a medium and never sooner than once per week. You could probably get away with a small adult rat since he's a boy.
5. Do NOT handle him, ever, after eating, for 48 hours.
6. Bath. He should not need one if your humidity is correct.

I use a 75watt ambient heat black bulb on the cold side to keep it between 78 and 81. I use the heat pad (with thermostat) and another 75watt ambient heat black bulb to keep the hot spot between 88 and 91.
You need to sandwich the thermostat probe between the pad and glass and then put the digital thermometer probe on the glass/substrate where the snake sits. On the cold side it can be where ever.
My lamps are on dimmers so I can adjust as needed.
BP'S don't NEED light and don't like it. Mine are in a room with the blinds closed and the black bulbs are dimmer than the moon would be where they are from.