» Site Navigation
0 members and 861 guests
No Members online
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.
» Today's Birthdays
» Stats
Members: 75,905
Threads: 249,107
Posts: 2,572,120
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
|
-
New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Bought a yearling albino ball python from someone on a classified ad 2 days ago....
Ugh what a mistake that was ... I looked her over but did not open her mouth and got swept up in conversation that I overlooked an RI and stomatitis.. Believe me I know I should have checked and it's 100% stupidity on my part, this is my very expensive lesson learned.
Im not a pro...more of a newbie but again lesson learned ... Anyway though ...
Took her to a vet recommended by a local reptile store and wow I was impressed he seemed to really know his stuff ...I had been reading posts on here about RIs and was hoping to not get a vet that just prescribed baytril and sent her home...
He prescribed Ceftazidime injections , took a swabbing from her mouth /trach for a culture and sensitivity test and recommended and wrote a prescription for a nebulizer.
Unfortunately I don't quite understand the nebulizer part so I am calling back on their next open day..
He did say she was pretty active ,good weight, has a pretty decent chance of making it.
Has anyone on here had to use a nebulizer with their snakes? Could you explain it to me a bit?
He also mentioned making or buying a humidity box with a type of moss in it .. I forgot to ask , do I use that in place of a hide box? .... shes in a 10gal right now so I don't think there theres room for both.
And soaking her in warm water that barely comes half way up her body,raising the temps in her tank ,which I already did....
Im hoping she pulls through ok , who knows what would have happened if she stayed there any longer. Thats the only thing that keeps me from getting very angry... that at least shes in better care now ...:please:
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
You can make a humid hide out of a container that the snake is large enough to fit in, cut a hole large enough for the snake to get into, and place warm, damp paper towels in the hide. I don't use humid hides for any of my snakes, all I do is raise the humidity to 70% when they shed and they shed in one hole piece. I still mist with warm water when the humidity gets below 50%, so I try to keep it in the 50%-60% range, but nothing over 65%.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Big Gunns has no experience with a nebulizer....sorry. BG doesn't know anyone that has used one with success either.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Don't replace the only hide with a humid hide. If the snake is too moist all the time it can cause scale rot because they will chose to sit in the hide for the safety rather than the humidity.
I fit two hides in a 10g all the time. Either lower the size of your water bowl, or get a smaller snugger hide.
How much did you pay for this albino ball on classifieds? Even with the vet bills, you may have gotten a deal...
A nebulizer is a breathing machine. People with asthma use them all the time. I would assume putting them in a small tub with the lid cracked and the nebulizer feeding the medicine in would be what would be required. What type of equipment did you get? Maybe if you show us a picture or give us the instructions they gave you we could figure out how to use it.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Thank you
Youre right, I was looking at the set up and I can fit both I'm going to get a smaller hide , she's a bit smaller than I had thought from looking at the pictures on the ad.
She was 300.00 dollars. Vet bills so far 140.00 , that includes a 3 week treatment of 7 shots of Ceftazidime every 3 days. The exam. Also the culture and sensitivity test.
He didn't actually send me home with a nebulizer , I believe he was saying that I can find one online or a medical supply store and then fax them the prescription...
He also mentioned Amikacin, which I think he was saying I could put in the nebulizer.
Im calling him back whenever they're open again to better understand it.
We talked about so much it's hard to take in all at once.
Thanks for your help :)
Oh and he said it felt like she has some decent sized spurs but a short tail ... so there is the chance of her being a him, which would be less of a good deal but still good for a yearling I guess.
He did not want to probe her and stress her while sick.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
If you had paid with paypal for this transaction with the breeder file a claim as the ad did not describe the snake was sick.
I would first contact the breeder about this to cover vet costs first. IF snake does not make it the he would be liable for sending a sick snake and will want replacement and or refund.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Unfortunately , she didn't come from a breeder , just some young couple that got into the military, and she was paid in cash.
I truly believe they were just a bit neglectful more so than they just blatantly lied to me..or well it at least helps me feel better thinking that lol.
They were handling the rest of their snakes after her without washing their hands as well.
Thank you though for the suggestion , I appreciate it. :-)
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minja777
Oh and he said it felt like she has some decent sized spurs but a short tail ... so there is the chance of her being a him, which would be less of a good deal but still good for a yearling I guess.
He did not want to probe her and stress her while sick.
Spur size and tail size has nothing to do with sex. probing and popping are the only ways to find out the sex of the snake.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaorte
Spur size and tail size has nothing to do with sex. probing and popping are the only ways to find out the sex of the snake.
The only way I'd see spur & tail size working is comparing the snake with another that is the same age and different sex. But, every snake grows at a different rate, so it wouldn't be that accurate.
If your snake does make it, and isn't sick no longer, try getting it popped or probed (or even both) to confirm it is what it is.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Right , thanks both of you :-)
He said it's only a "might" be male, just making a guess on those things.
If she makes it I will definitely find out for sure.
Happy Thanksgiving
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
if this were me i would be paying someone a visit
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minja777
Unfortunately , she didn't come from a breeder , just some young couple that got into the military, and she was paid in cash.
I truly believe they were just a bit neglectful more so than they just blatantly lied to me..or well it at least helps me feel better thinking that lol.
They were handling the rest of their snakes after her without washing their hands as well.
Thank you though for the suggestion , I appreciate it. :-)
If it turns out to be a female, you did get a deal on an albino. They tend to run $500-700 or even higher for females.
You could however go talk to the people that sold this animal to you and tell them how much the vet bills are. I would be inclined to demand some money for the vet bills because this animal may have died without treatment.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Thanks for that Blackcrystal ... It's never fun thinking about how bad you got screwed lol ... thanks :)
Just hoping she can pull through.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Well , went through a 3 week treatment of Ceftazidime injections every 3 days.... And she's still not better ... In fact took her to the vet today for Amikacin and saline for the nebulizer I bought, and he said she took a step backwards.. :(
So thats why we're going with a different treatment course. From the cultures I believe the 3 choice were Ceftazidime,Baytril, and Amikacin. Going with Amikacin in the neb and injections.
She's been "coughing" like she opens her mouth all the way suddenly and makes a weird noise , like she's trying to expel the mucus... Poor girl ... I feel so bad for her. He said he's only seen one other snake do it as violently as she does...It makes me jump.
He got a pretty big glob of thick yellowish mucus out of her mouth.
Before it was 80-90% survival rate, now hes not sure and won't say..
She refuses to eat and has lost 6g , not too bad but not great.
He thinks the nebulizer will hopefully help thin out the mucus ...
Not really looking so good though. :(
300.00 on vet fees so far . oh and now have to buy a new nebulizer because while gone my dog went nuts and destroyed it ..... brand new 80 dollar neb.... garbage..... ugh bad day.
But I'm not the one drowning in mucus so I shouldn't really complain....poor thing .
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Good luck. I hope she pulls through for you...
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Quote:
Originally Posted by Minja777
Well , went through a 3 week treatment of Ceftazidime injections every 3 days.... And she's still not better ... In fact took her to the vet today for Amikacin and saline for the nebulizer I bought, and he said she took a step backwards.. :(
So thats why we're going with a different treatment course. From the cultures I believe the 3 choice were Ceftazidime,Baytril, and Amikacin. Going with Amikacin in the neb and injections.
She's been "coughing" like she opens her mouth all the way suddenly and makes a weird noise , like she's trying to expel the mucus... Poor girl ... I feel so bad for her. He said he's only seen one other snake do it as violently as she does...It makes me jump.
He got a pretty big glob of thick yellowish mucus out of her mouth.
Before it was 80-90% survival rate, now hes not sure and won't say..
She refuses to eat and has lost 6g , not too bad but not great.
He thinks the nebulizer will hopefully help thin out the mucus ...
Not really looking so good though. :(
300.00 on vet fees so far . oh and now have to buy a new nebulizer because while gone my dog went nuts and destroyed it ..... brand new 80 dollar neb.... garbage..... ugh bad day.
But I'm not the one drowning in mucus so I shouldn't really complain....poor thing .
I'm so, so, sorry. Thank goodness that you have the compassion, knowledge and money to do what you can for this sweet little animal.
We are pulling for you and your little one....
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Thanks both of you , it really means a lot :)
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
My wife and I are saying a prayer for you and your snake. Please keep us updated, and THANK YOU for having the sense to follow treatment through.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
I am pulling for this baby too. You remember me from the St. Louis show in Oct. I feel so much for you and the snake, thank goodness you can care for it this way, undoubtedly by now it would be dead if it had stayed with them, or ended up with someone with less experience. Please keep us posted on how it does.
Gale
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Dont give up. My miracle story is of my 7 year old female. She was just as sick. Severely dehydrated. Im not even sure if she got one meal before she was sold to me as a hatchling in 03'.
I noticed she was sick as she went downhill very fast in the first week. My vet gave me a 50/50 chance she would make it.
She was full of mucus, her tongue was white and she couldnt flick it out. Her skin had no elasticity. She was also full of parasites.
She was givin fluids under the skin in about 10 places.
An injection of diluted baytril (due to the severity of her sickness) every other day for one week. Then one extra shot about 3 days after that.
A shot for the internal parasites.
It took her awhile but she pulled through and is now my biggest breeder. Healthy as can be and hasnt had a problem since.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Poor thing. Crossing my fingers that she pulls through!
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
What were the culture results? How warm are you keeping her?
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Best of luck! It's a shame that the first owners weren't responsible enough to take care of her.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
I just wanted to say thank you for everyone's kind words! It really means a lot to me. It really really does....It sure would be a great holiday gift for her to improve.
I can't get over the previous owners response being an empty "Im sorry".
When I first mentioned it to them they said " she must have just gotten it , it's been dry here they need like 100% humidity all the time" Then when I call her out on that saying they most certainly do not need 100% she says she never kept her at 100% , so um then why did you say that? Not to mention she's been fighting this a lot longer than they claim.
As for temps that I have her at , the cool side is 82 and the warm side has been bumped up to 92-95.
The culture results were that it was sensitive to Ceftazidime,Baytril, and Amikacin.
If the Amikacin does not show some improvement , then I guess we will try Baytril if she's still hanging in there. And if that doesn't work ... well I don't want to think about that yet.
And Gale thanks :) .. I will be going to the next reptile show to get mice .. Might see you there :)
Happy Holidays everyone :)
Marilee
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Doesn't sound like it's a super-bug then. I've cultured some bugs from snake RI's that were resistant to all those antibiotics -- very scary stuff.
You might consider bumping up the temps even more -- keep the cool end at 90F.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Wanted to thank everyone again , but I believe she is passing away...
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
If oyu know for a fact she is passing and suffering, you may want to cull her in the freezer to end the suffering.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
She passed away....
She was a fighter and she hung in there for quite awhile. (the weeks of having her)..
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
I am so sorry for your loss :( Don't blame yourself though. You tried really hard to save her.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs to you and hope you find consolation in knowing that you did all that you could.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Thanks guys/gals
We buried her under our rose bushes.
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
Aww I'm so sorry Marilee.
I know you tried your best with the little one. Poor dear thing. At least you know you did the right thing for her. You gave her a chance at life, which is more than her former owners did.
Gale
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
I'm sorry for your loss. :(
-
Re: New snake with RI and Stomatitis
You gave her a better bit of life than she could have expected at the old place. This is the disgusting truth about immature humans. We think we know everything, and can do what we want with no repercussions. And then we are hit with a sad reality when we don't know what the heck we are doing. I'm glad there are more people like me who care enough to fight for an animal that can't fight for itself. Hugs from Ohio :)
|