Am I handing him too much? Still wheezing :(

I'm so worried. This is all my fault. I took him out and he's wheezing so much, I'm literally tearing up I feel so bad for him. I contacted A local exotic vet here in my town but they arent open today, I left a message, they open tomorrow. Please help!

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I don't have any personal experience with this so I hope someone else can chime in but from everything I've gathered DIY treatments are a very proceed at your own risk. It could go very well or it could go wrong and make things worse if you don't do it properly. I think it comes down to how comfortable are you with the risk?

Vet is obviously preferable and safer since you can get a proper diagnosis.

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Originally Posted by MissterDog

I don't have any personal experience with this so I hope someone else can chime in in but from everything I've gathered DIY treatments are a very proceed at your own risk. It could go very well or it could go wrong and make things worse if you don't do it properly. I think it comes down to how comfortable are you with the risk?

Vet is obviously preferable and safer since you can get a proper diagnosis.

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Ok, I really don't think its worth the risk then. Ill wait for Monday to get him to the vet I guess.. I dont know if I could make the trip to Tulsa tomorrow so I might just have to take him when the local vet opens. He will survive the 1-2 nights though... right??

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Originally Posted by GpBp

Ok, I really don't think its worth the risk then. Ill wait for Monday to get him to the vet I guess.. I dont know if I could make the trip to Tulsa tomorrow so I might just have to take him when the local vet opens. He will survive the 1-2 nights though... right??

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I really hope someone with more experience can give their feedback on this because I don't feel confident in saying how he will do.

Just take a deep breath. You will figure this out.

I'm sending well wishes to you and Geno!

Thank you thank you, that really helps. I'm still scared to death, but I'm a bit better. :)

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You do not know what is ailing your snake. The only safe and proper way to treat a potential infection is to see a trained veterinarian. Self medicating is risky and may not help this animal at all.

That being said...

You describe wheezing but describe no other symptoms. Is there mucus on the mouth of the snake, bubbles coming from the nose, excessive yawning, stretching vertically and constantly?

What other symptoms besides wheezing are you observing? Is this wheezing only when you attempt to handle or feed the snake? How does it sound when not in a condition of stress? What other observable behavior that is out of the ordinary are you seeing? Do you see anything mucous-y or snot bubble like coming from your snake? You need to do some detective work before you can say one way or the other if this is defensive posturing or illness.

No, no mucus no bubbles no yawning or anything. I think its whenever he does something to active, like the other night I had his tank doors open so hecould look out or whatever, and he wheezed then. He wheezed a lot while handling, too. But other than that he acts completely normal... But I'm thinking. I do think he is overweight. His spine is dented in along hia whole back. Hes a year old and 411g he eats 1 jumbo mouse every Thursday. Could that be something?

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And I dont notice it while feeding

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Well he is eating and acting normal outside of you handling him so that should be some good signs. RIs generally sap their will to eat and there are other visual signs that show up.

What you call wheezing could just be verbal displeasure with you a big human grabbing his delicate sensitive self ;)

Just keep observing for any signs other than wheezing. Oh and 411 grams at one year old is neither fat nor slim. I would just focus on seeing if you can get him more calm with handling. Limit handling to short session only a few times a week and just try not to over worry.

Ok. So he'll survive 2 days? Does he need to get to the vet? What can I do to help him? If you were deaf and saw him, youd think he's a perfectly healthy snake.. But the wheeze is so bad. And as for trying not to over worry... Lol well its a bit too late. Ever since my guinea pig who I had a really close bond with passed away about a year ago, ive just been so worried about any other pets. idk why but I really feel a special bond with Geno. I know he doesnt love me, but he is so so special to me and I need to do whatever I can to make sure he's got a happy long life. Thank you for the advise!!

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Sorry to get all emotional there lol

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Well, it really boils down to the vet. Is he/she familiar with reptiles? If not, i would find one that is. Your snake will survive with a very mild case of RI(if that is what it is) until you can finda vet. I wouldnt let it got 6 months or anything but a week or so should be fine as long as you keep the temps up and humidity a little up. Also when you go to the vet, there is the checkup cost which for me is $50 and then from there, the vet gives options of what he/she would like to do and the cost. For my vet, if she thinks there is a problem, she will go with a culture to start so you know what you are dealing with. Then there is a blood test if you want it to get the overall 'health' of the animal. Blood tests are expensive but are pretty comprehensive. A culture is fairly cheap, i think like $25 where i am.

First of, if i was in your shoes, i would find a vet that knows and is familiar with reptiles aka an exotic vet. Then i would take my snake in for a checkup. Like i said, it shouldnt be more than $60 for just a checkup and if the vet is familiar with reptiles, he/she can give you their advice. Then you can proceed if you got the cash, beg and cry if you dont and they might take pity lol. I know with Rosey my big boa, her sinus infection came at the worst time financially for me so i told my vet my situation and she cut me a deal and basically halved the bill for me. I do go to her for all my animals though so I'm not a walk in customer :).

Bottom line, find a good exotic vet. Take the snake in for a checkup and their advice. Then proceed. Us here cant really tell you whats going on as we arent vets and we cant see the snake. As for home remedies, not worth it. It's like buying meds online and trying to administer them to your reptile, not good advice. If the vet thinks its an RI, get a culture done to find out if its bacterial, viral or fungal as well as tell you which antibiotic its most susceptible to. Then you get the fun of giving injections or if your vet is nice, they will offer to do it for you for free. My vet offered it but being Rosey is big, she was easy to give shots to. I had to give her a shot of Fortaz every other day for a month i believe. And if the vet tries to give you Baytril, try to get something else. Baytril is really strong and if not done right can do muscle damage. my vet personally doesnt like Baytril and usually prescribes something else unless it's really bad and needs something really strong.

The local vet here does anywhere from rabbits to horses, but a couple years ago we took my dog there to get stitches and it was pretty messy. Nice people though. The vet in Tulsa I've never been to, but it was mentioned on a sticky on the best reptile vets in each state or something. The most it would be is a week.. I just would need help with the money and I don't know where/how to get that. Super helpful thank you :) I might try the local one on Monday, I'll see how much it costs for a checkup and all that. It might not be worth it, I'll see how he's doing then and if he's holding up, I'll probably wait for next weekend and drive to Tulsa. I couldn't do it tonight, it's already 5:00 lol. But maybe tomorrow..? That would be for Tulsa... I'm not sure. I'll talk to my parents about it. They don't seem to be taking it seriously and honestly, they don't really like Geno. I'll see what I can do about it :oops:

Find a vet specific to reptiles. 95% of "normal vet" treatments on snakes I see posted online were incorrectly and poorly treated.

There are different types of RI. It could be fungal, bacterial, or viral, and they require different treatments. Antibiotics will only work on bacterial RI, and that's part of why we see cases where antibiotics "aren't working" or treatments from home (where most people use RI) don't work and the snake eventually dies, because the vet didn't do a culture and prescribe the correct treatment.

Make sure your reptile vet does a culture before you pay for a random treatment.

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Originally Posted by GpBp

The local vet here does anywhere from rabbits to horses, but a couple years ago we took my dog there to get stitches and it was pretty messy. Nice people though. The vet in Tulsa I've never been to, but it was mentioned on a sticky on the best reptile vets in each state or something. The most it would be is a week.. I just would need help with the money and I don't know where/how to get that. Super helpful thank you :) I might try the local one on Monday, I'll see how much it costs for a checkup and all that. It might not be worth it, I'll see how he's doing then and if he's holding up, I'll probably wait for next weekend and drive to Tulsa. I couldn't do it tonight, it's already 5:00 lol. But maybe tomorrow..? That would be for Tulsa... I'm not sure. I'll talk to my parents about it. They don't seem to be taking it seriously and honestly, they don't really like Geno. I'll see what I can do about it :oops:

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If the local vet messes up stitching up a dog, I don't think I'd take my reptile there. Plus usually exotics vets don't see dogs, cats and larger animals. There is a big size difference between tools used for larger animals and those for exotics. Most exotics see stuff like birds, reptiles and rodents. Sounds like the local vet is just that, a 'local' vet who sees farm animals and stuff. Nothing wrong with it but I doubt he would really know about reptiles. I would just wait the week and see how the snake does and make the appointment to see the reptile vet in Tulsa.

Ken Coldwell, DVM
VCA Veterinary Medical Center
3129 South Winston Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74135
(918) 743-6644

I've only used him for snakes, so not sure what other species he treats. Very nice guy. ~Jess (slartibartfast)~

Paul L. Welch, DVM
Forest Trails Animal Hospital
6528 East 101st Street, Suite A, Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 299-8448

I used him for a snake once, and he seemed pretty knowledgeable. They do a ton of wildlife rescue and rehab. ~Jess (slartibartfast)~

Sorry to ask so many questions! But are these vets I mentioned ok? Like, anyone have any experience or know anything about them? Sorry, stupid questions! Just want to make sure I'm driving quite a ways for a good vet ;)

There is no real way for me to tell, but it sounds to me like you are just getting overly emotional and freaking out. IF, I repeat IF he is only "wheezing" when you hold him he is eating normally, no mucous, no difficulty breathing, then you simply have snake that is pissed that you are holding him. So STOP holding him and see how he behaves. Focus on good husbandry, and care. If he does not wheeze or show any symptoms when you are not handling him, then I would say that he is simply annoyed with you, and HISSING, not wheezing. Pythons HISS to send a signal they are aggravated and want to be left alone. Godzilla, my big girl HISSES sometimes when I pick up her hide. She is simply letting me know that she is NOT in the mood to be handled and wants to be left alone. it sounds just like a snake hiss... HISSSSS!!!:snake:

Just my 2 cents, whatever it is, I hope your snake is ok, and I hope you calm down and relieve your anxiety somehow. (I have bipolar disorder and have dealt with extreme anxiety myself and it sucks!) GOOD LUCK!:gj:

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Originally Posted by Godzilla78

There is no real way for me to tell, but it sounds to me like you are just getting overly emotional and freaking out. IF, I repeat IF he is only "wheezing" when you hold him he is eating normally, no mucous, no difficulty breathing, then you simply have snake that is pissed that you are holding him. So STOP holding him and see how he behaves. Focus on good husbandry, and care. If he does not wheeze or show any symptoms when you are not handling him, then I would say that he is simply annoyed with you, and HISSING, not wheezing. Pythons HISS to send a signal they are aggravated and want to be left alone. Godzilla, my big girl HISSES sometimes when I pick up her hide. She is simply letting me know that she is NOT in the mood to be handled and wants to be left alone. it sounds just like a snake hiss... HISSSSS!!!:snake:

Just my 2 cents, whatever it is, I hope your snake is ok, and I hope you calm down and relieve your anxiety somehow. (I have bipolar disorder and have dealt with extreme anxiety myself and it sucks!) GOOD LUCK!:gj:

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I really don't think its a hiss.. Even today when I fed May, I heard a bit of a hiss. Genos hissed before. I've seen videos of snakes hissing. I don't think so. I'm sorry, I am freaking out I just want to make sure he'll be ok, but I understand you guys can't give me a for sure answer I'm sorry. I know I need to stop handling him. It sounds like a human wheeze.. Almost clicks go with it? I just didnt know how to properly look for signs of stress, I guess. I honestly thought he was fine though! I do have bad anxiety, ive kinda been freaking out. I'm sorry. I do need to try to calm down, but this whole thing is so much! I know most people are really into ball pythons because they're cool (not all! But some) and they just breed them. And when the snakes die, they dont really care. I have a pit bull puppy, cutest little thing, but I honestly... And I know this sounds horrible.. But I think I love geno.. Way more. Just trying to make you understand why this is so much lol. Hes not just "another snake". To me at least. Maybe thats why I handle him so much. I love that little turd. Ahh getting emotional again [emoji35] I'm not sure if I can make the drive tomorrow. But I actually think I'm off Wednesday! Sorry for the stupid questions. I just turned his light off for the night and he's balled up in this warm hide :)

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I'm still wondering if its a hiss, my big male will, when tub opened and just before I get my hands on him will let off the longest hiss he possibly could. Normally if anything is wheezing, animal or human, it's a consistent thing, not here and there type thing. Haven't read the entire thread but have you tried turning off everything in the room he's in, putting him in his tank/tub and just sit and listened in quiet for a bit, not just a few seconds or a min, but 5 to 10 mins? Suggesting this as i will do it with my animals and even my kid when i think hes getting a cold. See if it happens, if not go to pick him up and see if he does it as u pick him or while holding him. I'm seconding the pissed off uncomfortable snake opinion.

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Good idea. I really don't think its a hiss, but I guess its something to consider. Ill try listening to him tomorrow. (Kinda hard to turn everything off when you have 2 guinea pigs popcorning away, but ill try [emoji23])

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Sorry to chime in near the end here. Is it possible he could just have some stuck shed in a nostril and the wheeze/hiss would be more audible when he's being handled because he's breathing heavier due to stress?

I agree though that if there are no other symptoms, and his appetite hasn't been affected, I wouldn't jump straight to RI.

If you do go the vet route though, make the drive to see the more qualified reptile vet. Going to a vet that doesn't have experience with snakes can cause more harm than help, in my experience.

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It's probably still a good idea to go to the vet regardless. They can do a swab and check if he has an infection. If he does, you can treat it appropriately. If he doesn't, now you know.