official respitory infection thread

About a year ago my ball python started wheezing. At first it was barely noticable, then I realized it happened with nearly every breath. Took her to the vet, got the shots, administered them as instructed. Still wheezing! Turns out my husbandry was waaayyyy off (had not yet found these boards, just went by a few caresheets online)... she was too cold, and way too dry. So this summer I've gotten her humidity up, and temps correct (though still fiddling with that) and she hasn't wheezed at all in a few months now.

Though sometimes she does let out a deep breath, but I don't think that's anything to worry about. Kinda just like how they randomly yawn, right?

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Originally Posted by Tripppysmurf

Hmm I just got ym snake and I am worried about that head always up thing. You mean ALWAYS up or just once in awhile? The snake is still ewn to it's enclosure so it may be just getting curious is what i was thinking. I know I am pretty much probably being over protective but what can I say the snake is too cute to take chances :sunny:

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It certainly can't hurt to take your snake in for a general check up if you're concerned about something. But if a snake has an RI to the point where it is holding its head up in order to breathe more easily, you'll likely notice other symptoms as well, such as "drool" or mucus around its mouth or smeared around the enclosure.

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Originally Posted by mricyfire

Quick question...do ball take deep breaths? Mine usually doesnt make any noise...but sometimes at night when he is up and about, he might make one or two deep exhales...but they dont sound like a whistle...it sounds just like it would if you took a deep breathe now and exhaled.

Anything I should be worried about?

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Sounds normal to me.


Let me caveat the things I've said in this thread by saying that I'm not a vet, nor have had any veterinary training, nor do I even have a ton of snakes. I'm just speaking about things I have read and studied and listened to experienced folks talk about. Always...when in doubt about your snake's health....ask a vet!

Well to update I've called around to a few different vets, I found one that said they would treat with injectable antibiotics. I have an apt on the 22nd to bring her in. They sounded like the best bet (closest to where Im living atm too) considering one of the vets I talked to was treating another snake (although it was a boa) who had an RI with oral meds, tube feeding, and xrays. And I read on previous posts that shots were more effective so I'd rather stick with that. So hopefully I should have a fully healthy girl, treated by a vet who will get rid of the problem in the correct manner. Thanks for posting the link to the sites Judy, that was a tremendous help.

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Originally Posted by bigballs

how easy is it for a bp to catch an RI? can they get it in a day or does it take time? can one stressful event or improper husbandry for a short duration cause it?

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okay to bring this thread back up because I noticed that these questions were not answered and Im reallly curious about the answers. :D thanx everyone.

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Originally Posted by Ladydragon

okay to bring this thread back up because I noticed that these questions were not answered and Im reallly curious about the answers. :D thanx everyone.

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My vet told me today that there was a bad ice storm in '03 that kicked out a bunch of power around here. She said the office was flooded with birds and reptiles with respiratory illnesses and that even as little as 12 hours of cold can cause a snake to become ill.

I would hope that's the exception, not the rule... but it's very important to keep snakes at the proper temperatures and maintain good husbandry otherwise. :)

I haven't read every thread in between the first post in here, but here's my .02 on RI. Even mild RI should be treated with antibiotics in addition to adjusting the environment.

In some cases making adjustments to the environment will clear it up, but on those that it does work, you have lost precious time and will further endanger your snake by delaying treatment.

Justin

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Originally Posted by bigballs

if a snake shows early symptoms of an RI can they be reversed by raising temps and humidity?

Yes they CAN

is it a must to take a snake with an RI to a vet or can it be cured by raising temps and humidity?

No, but highly recommended if you're wanting insurance on a good outcome. Antibiotics that a vet will give you will greatly help your snake fight the bacteria causing the RI.

if one snake has it in your collection will the rest of your collection in the area contract it from the infected one?

There is bacteria living every one of your snake's enclosures at all times. The rest of your snakes that do not have RI are keep it in check with healthy immune systems. If your animal with RI has a unique bacteria that it cannot fight well, then I would be very careful not to spread that bacteria to the other animals.

Often RI is caused by the snake's immune system being compromised by low temps or some other environmental issue, the snake is unable then to fight off the infection effectively and gets sick in much the same way you and I would.

I haven't ever had transference but I've be painstakingly careful to prevent it. Make sure you have several bottles of the antibacterial "no-water" hand wash sitting around your snake room.. and use it liberally.

if a bp is not in shed and you hear it whistle when it breathes that is probably an symptom of RI but if the snake just breaths loudly with no whistle that is not?

If you think you see one symptom but not others, look around for some collaboration... such as:

1. resting with the head tilted up
2. any dried saliva on the walls of the enclosure
3. excess saliva floating in the water bowl
4. the lower jaw looking puffy
5. the forks of the tongue consistently sticking together
6. any rasping sound you can feel with your hand when you place it over the lungs
7. OR if you feel comfortable carefully open the snakes mouth and see if it looks abnormal



what is the best way to relieve RI symptoms while waiting fo a vet appointment?

Increase the heat on the animal and start those antibiotics ASAP. Don't put off your vet appt.

these are just some questions i have because i have never had to deal with a respitory infection and i am getting conflicted opinions from hobbyists and even books.

Like any science project, its all about trial and error. sometimes its hard to know what is a slightly better protocol than another and people find and use what works for them!

correct information and personal experience would be great!

thanks guys!

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I put my comments in the post above, I hope they are helpful!!

thank you.. they are very helpful.. if not to the original poster, they are to me and I'm sure countless other people. :D

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Originally Posted by jkobylka

I put my comments in the post above, I hope they are helpful!!

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Great post.
RI's need to be nipped in the bud immediately before they get worse. People forget they can be FATAL if not cured. Snakes have very primitive lungs and can drown on fluid build up, they don't have the capacity(diaphram) to cough like we do.

This thread is too long for me to read the whole thing, so this question might have already been answered on here, but what do you guys recommend doing if a Ball isn't responding to Antibiotics and a temp and humidity increase.

P.S. - She didn't respond to Baytril and now she's on Genocin and not showing improvement.