Help!! Sick ball?

I have a ball python that is a couple months old. I bought him from a petstore (looked healthy at the time, still I know better).


Anyway, I just took him out a few minutes ago after not holding him since last sunday's feeding. He hasn't been as active as usual, but I figured it might be because he's going to shed (hasn't shed since I've had him for about 4 weeks).

Well I think there's something wrong with his breathing! He's making a very quiet, almost clicking-like sound. And he's almost gasping and holding his mouth open at times (see pic)! He's very sluggish too. I didn't notice any of this last week!

He has access to a heat mat, water, good shavings. Here are pics I just took a second ago.

I will call a vet!


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77...g/CIMG3877.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77...g/CIMG3878.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77...g/CIMG3887.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77...g/CIMG3882.jpg

I'm not a vet but those are classic signs of a respitory infection. You definately need to get him in to see a vet. Until then raising the temps and changing his water everyday will help.

Yeah, what Fatboy said..... He's gotta get to a vet soon, RIs are nasty things and he'll need medication to get over that.

What are you housing him in? Temps, how you control the heating sources, what you feed and how often. Give us the details.

Make sure your humidity is bumped up too until you take him to the vet. Heat & humidity are needed to fight off an RI infection.

I have an appointment in less than an hour. The vet tech said it sounded like he'll ned anti-biotics....geeez, I hope he's okay!!

Sounds to me like you caught onto the signs early, thats good, hope everything works out ok!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

What are you housing him in? Temps, how you control the heating sources, what you feed and how often. Give us the details.

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Do give these details to make sure you don't have to deal with this again. You caught it early and things should be ok. Keep us updated.

I just got back from the vet and have medication to give her (yup its a girl) every day. It appears to be an upper respiratory infection, and hopefully has not traveled downwards yet. The cause is still unknown, the vet suggested it might be from the frozen feeders. The air temperature is near 80 and the humidity is about 65....I've just changed the tank around to try and increase both. I took out the aspen shavings to decrease the dust until she's better.

It was nice to be reassured from the vet, and thank you to everyone for the advice! I really appreciate it all!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Calift

I just got back from the vet and have medication to give her (yup its a girl) every day. It appears to be an upper respiratory infection, and hopefully has not traveled downwards yet. The cause is still unknown, the vet suggested it might be from the frozen feeders. The air temperature is near 80 and the humidity is about 65....I've just changed the tank around to try and increase both. I took out the aspen shavings to decrease the dust until she's better.

It was nice to be reassured from the vet, and thank you to everyone for the advice! I really appreciate it all!

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Do you have a proper warm spot of 90-95 degrees?
That is very needed, especially with an RI.