Help! Ball Python is sick!

One thing I did have a question about though....We've been trying to keep him warm but he keeps moving to the cooler side of his cage...Should we just let him go where he's comfortable or try to keep him in the warmer area??

I'd bump the temps on both sides up till you get him to a vet.

Do you have a hide box on either side of the cage? They'll choose security over warmth...so make sure both sides of the cage are equal in that respect.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Well that is very unfortunate...where are you located? Maybe someone on here lives near you and could offer assistance...

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We live in Grants Pass, OR.

As far as the hidey box... it's a large one positioned in the middle, so he can hide but still move to either side of the box to regulate temp...but he's not in his box...

We've got blankets draped over the tank to help hold in the warmth and humidity, so both sides are pretty close to the same temp at this point...

Anyone in Oregon?

I would place identical hides at the end of each side of the cage. This gives him a chance to feel secure while being either warm or cool. A hide in the middle really doesn't give him the option.

You said both sides are the same temp...what are your temperatures? What kind of thermometer are you using to measure the temps?

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Originally Posted by RockStarZeus

Around here, they're a bunch of heartless *&$@#*). My dog bruno broke his leg 2 months ago, and we called every vet in 2 counties. NONE of them would take even a partial payment, let alone bill later. I had to return my 360 to Wal-Mart to get the money, as I was in a similar situation money-wise at the time. The only thing the vets around here care about is cash....

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Don't blame the vets, blame all the previous people they loaned money to who ripped them off. The vets I work for would like to help out but simply cannot keep going into debt for people who will not repay us. When people walk out on a thousand dollar bill and give you fake information, it makes it pretty damn hard to continue to extend that courtesy to future clients. If you have an established relationship with a vet, they are much more likely to try to work with you. But go into a stranger's place and say "Lend me 1k, and I'll pay yah back just as soon as I can, honest!"...well, that just doesn't work. 50% of the estimated charges to be paid up front is standard procedure, especially for new clients. We even started doing it for boarders a few years ago, since some people brought in a Great Dane, a Weim, and 12 (twelve!) puppies to board and never came back for them, and all of their contact information was fake.
You wanna be angry, go right ahead. But don't blame the vets...they get burned way more than you might imagine
/end soapbox

And I sincerely hope your snake gets better. It's never easy watching a loved one suffer and not being able to help.

*Update*

A friend of mine I hadn't seen in a while popped in today and is lending me the money to take Salazar to the vet. YAY! :carrot:

Thanks again to rabernet for the Herp vet links, was able to find one about 30 miles from where I live. The address was wrong but some googling and researching led me to the right contact info.

As far as my disdain for vets.....I understand the reasoning on a logical level...but I know I couldn't turn away a dog with a broken leg screaming in pain...Would I lose money? More than likely. Would I feel like throwing myself from a building if I turned away an animal in extreme pain? Probably. But, since they're the ones with the knowledge, I don't really have any choice in the matter.....

I will post again when I have more info on his status.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RockStarZeus

*Update*

A friend of mine I hadn't seen in a while popped in today and is lending me the money to take Salazar to the vet. YAY! :carrot:

Thanks again to rabernet for the Herp vet links, was able to find one about 30 miles from where I live. The address was wrong but some googling and researching led me to the right contact info.

As far as my disdain for vets.....I understand the reasoning on a logical level...but I know I couldn't turn away a dog with a broken leg screaming in pain...Would I lose money? More than likely. Would I feel like throwing myself from a building if I turned away an animal in extreme pain? Probably. But, since they're the ones with the knowledge, I don't really have any choice in the matter.....

I will post again when I have more info on his status.

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You're very welcome - I hope that all goes well for Salazar! :)

i just posted a thread a day ago regarding my sick cinnamon he is haveing similar symtomes but not throwing up stuff, i think it sounds like a RI, im in a similar situation money wise but i found a great vet in denver who truly cares about animals and is going to take him in for a exam tomorrow for very cheap. it took a while to find a good vet but keep looking it will happen and good luck

Well, it's not a respiratory infection. Apparently he has an overall infection which is pretty advanced. Suprisingly (according to the vet) his lungs seem fine. The straining and cramping is apparently from the pain of the infection, and the vomiting is from stomach contractions. Unfortunately, his odds aren't very good because the infection is so advanced/widespread. The vet said it was most likely due to the bites all along his body from the pet store feeding him live food and not keeping an eye on him. She put him on a broad spectrum antibiotic which we have to inject him with once a day. We also have to keep his temps up and soak him in 80 degree water twice a day. I'll keep you guys posted on his progress and hopefully he'll pull through.

*fingers crossed*