Respiratory Infection - how should I modify my enclosure?

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Originally Posted by targciv

Thank you for the advice so far!

Is it nornal for BPs to show signs that may seem like an RI as they begin to show signs of the shed process? The clicking breathing seems like something that would happen, but the mouth breathing concerns me.

Back to one of my original questions - what is your opinion on the reptifogger and F10 box treatment and going to the vet this week? Her going into shed makes these signs confusing, so I’m hoping, too, the shed may get rid of her breathing issues. But I’m nervous to wait a week until after the shed to find the problems are still persisting, and I haven to tried to treat her in the meantike (other than improving husbandry).

And if it is an RI, how should I modify her enclosure? Lower or raise humidity? Replace substrate with newspaper/paper towels and replace daily? Disinfect hides and water dish daily? Change water daily?

I’ll definitely look into finding a UTH, temp regulators for my heat sources, and a temp gun in the meantime.

And what you said about a proper enclosure, do you think I should transfer her to a plastic tub?

Thanks!

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The F10sc has worked for some people at early stages. Make sure its the F10SC ONLY. The other F10's can Kill your snake.
I now see you said open mouth breathing. Thats not good. I wouldn't say Humidity did it, Id say incorrect temps. Ive had Pythons for 30 years and 1/2 of that was normal 30% house Humidity back in the 90's-early 2000's. What I did have were bad sheds all the time. Now that we have learned so much our snakes are a lot healthier. Id get a UTH on a Jumpstart Thermostat if i was you. You asked about Regulated UTH's. Never heard of one, you need to hook them up to one. ZooMed UTH mats are fine. Dont stick them to the tank. Read the Sticky I mentioned under Husbandry Sub Forum. It shows how to use Metal Tape so if you want to move the UTH or switch tanks you can without ruining it by trying to unstick it.
This is all in the Thread Sticky. Check it out. Its great.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!


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PS: around 3 min is about the F10sc nebulizer and Make Sure that snake stays warm right now. No cool Drafts!!!
https://youtu.be/pJCnPfuqaBM


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I would recommend moving your temperature sensors lower, as close to the ground as you can, since that's where your bp will spend most of its time. I also definitely recommend an IR Temp Gun, as mentioned before. I picked one up at home depot for around $20, and I check the ground temp near both of my hides every day. There is a big difference between ground and air temperatures. I would be less concerned about getting a heat mat, but would save up for a good thermostat (Herpstat is highly recommended for it's redundant safety measures.) Finally, I'd try to get a PVC tank for him. I've found my environment is much more stable now that I've switched from a glass tank, but this will probably be something you have to wait for since they aren't the cheapest. Good luck, and we all hope your little guy gets better soon! Keep us updated!

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UPDATE (3/8)

I've scheduled a vet appointment for next Tuesday, and in the meantime have been using 3ccs of F10 SC in 500 mL of filtered water in a reptifogger machine, and fogging my snake for 20 min a day for the past 4 days in a 3 qt plastic tub. Today, she also shed her skin. When I handled her later in the day, there were absolutely no breathing issues. I handled her for about 10-15 minutes, and there were no clicking/popping sounds from her body, nor any open mouth breathing. Maybe these breathing issues were because she was going into shed? The open-mouth breathing was what had me convinced it was an RI, but now she seems perfectly fine, curious, actively exploring when I handle her. I'm still planning to take her to the vet on Tuesday, but until then I will continue the F10 treatment. I've also ordered a UTH, thermostat, light dimmer, and digital thermometer, which will all arrive tomorrow, and I'm planning to clean her enclosure then set these new items up the way the sticky on how to set up a glass enclosure directs. Here's hoping for a healthier future for Bella :) Thank you to everyone for your advice and resources

Quote:

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Originally Posted by targciv

UPDATE (3/8)

I've scheduled a vet appointment for next Tuesday, and in the meantime have been using 3ccs of F10 SC in 500 mL of filtered water in a reptifogger machine, and fogging my snake for 20 min a day for the past 4 days in a 3 qt plastic tub. Today, she also shed her skin. When I handled her later in the day, there were absolutely no breathing issues. I handled her for about 10-15 minutes, and there were no clicking/popping sounds from her body, nor any open mouth breathing. Maybe these breathing issues were because she was going into shed? The open-mouth breathing was what had me convinced it was an RI, but now she seems perfectly fine, curious, actively exploring when I handle her. I'm still planning to take her to the vet on Tuesday, but until then I will continue the F10 treatment. I've also ordered a UTH, thermostat, light dimmer, and digital thermometer, which will all arrive tomorrow, and I'm planning to clean her enclosure then set these new items up the way the sticky on how to set up a glass enclosure directs. Here's hoping for a healthier future for Bella :) Thank you to everyone for your advice and resources

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Smart move on getting the enclosure right! That should prevent future problems.

In the meantime, wishing you and Bella good luck at the vet! Hope she's fine, but if she needs treatment, I hope she recovers quickly.

Good luck!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by targciv

UPDATE (3/8)

I've scheduled a vet appointment for next Tuesday, and in the meantime have been using 3ccs of F10 SC in 500 mL of filtered water in a reptifogger machine, and fogging my snake for 20 min a day for the past 4 days in a 3 qt plastic tub. Today, she also shed her skin. When I handled her later in the day, there were absolutely no breathing issues. I handled her for about 10-15 minutes, and there were no clicking/popping sounds from her body, nor any open mouth breathing. Maybe these breathing issues were because she was going into shed? The open-mouth breathing was what had me convinced it was an RI, but now she seems perfectly fine, curious, actively exploring when I handle her. I'm still planning to take her to the vet on Tuesday, but until then I will continue the F10 treatment. I've also ordered a UTH, thermostat, light dimmer, and digital thermometer, which will all arrive tomorrow, and I'm planning to clean her enclosure then set these new items up the way the sticky on how to set up a glass enclosure directs. Here's hoping for a healthier future for Bella :) Thank you to everyone for your advice and resources

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Watch that light dimmer. I dont like them st all. I think there dangerous & id rather put sheets of metal between the uth & tank to lower the temp of a uth.
I tried a dimmer on a Quarantine tank and one day while i was at work the temp in the house went from 75 to 85 and that changed the Hot Spot from 90 to 100. Remember the same power is will be sent no matter what the surroundings are and they dont regulate like a Tstat. Id get a $30 Jumpstart before any $15.99 Dimmer. IMO




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I ordered the jumpstart thermostat to go along with my UTH, and the light dimmer for the ceramic heat bulbs I have right now. Did you mean not to try the light dimmer with a UTH, or with the lights?