Problem

First thing I would recommend is bumping up those temps. The warm-side temps should be 92-94 anyhow...and if he's fighting an RI, I would set it at around 95. And let the air dry out a bit so it's not so humid. A fan moving air around in the room itself will help that a bit.

You could always get a payday advance!

I understand the financial bump, but I mean, each day the snake goes without treatment weakens it further and lessens its chance for survival. The long you wait also will cause treatment to be longer and more expensive anyway if you need additional injections. Maybe talk to the vet to make payment arrangements as well.

I just went through RI with Carmen...in a very quiet room, try to gently hold the snakes head right by your ear and listens for pops and wheezes and/or a high-pitched whistle.

Now I listen very carefully to our girls, you can sometimes "hear" them breathing (like the sound of a big sigh)...but it's the high-pitched whistle, wheezing and pops you need to listen for.

Also, if the mouth is open, look for muscus in the mouth and a swollen "tongue hole" (I can't think of the real name of it, but it's where their little tongue comes out). My snake Carmens RI hadn't developed to the point of her needing to breathe with her mouth open, so my vet showed me how to open her mouth so we could check for these symptoms.

Cass do you mean the glottis? The tube like thing you see when you open your snake's mouth? Or do you mean the small opening when their mouths are fully closed that allows them to flick their tongues out without opening their mouths?

Glottis! I think that's it...=)

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Originally Posted by lipsticksmears

I feel so guilty because my snake is my reponsibility and I should be able to give him everything he needs, but lately we've been swamped with bills..

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Why don't you contact the vet and let them know about your predicament. Vets are usually in that business to help animals, and I'm sure they would be happy to work something out either by giving you a discount or setting up a payment plan. You won't know until you ask...

I'd get him to the vet sooner than next Friday.

In my experince, if you ask for it, most vets will set up a monthly payment plan, and that should help you out. Get him in somewhere before next friday though.