RI or shed

My new BP just started making a popping noise when he breathes. He is also in shed right now. He was in blue, but his eyes went clear a couple days ago. Just has the dull skin over his body, and a little bit of shed flaking off his head. I've read that the popping can be caused from stuck shed in their nose. Is this correct, or is it RI?

Temps:
Daytime - 90 high, 80 low (give and take a few degrees)
Night time - 80 high, 70 low (again, give and take some)

Humidity: Around 55-65, also give/take.

Shedding can cause popping. Look for mucus in the enclosure and if you can, get a look into your snakes mouth/throat. If you see bubbles your snake probably has a RI. Snakes with RI's tend to sit with their heads un the air and their mouths slightly open as well. There are other signs but these should be enough to dismiss if it is just a piece of shed or a RI.

Your day time temps are fine but the night time are very low. The 90º hot spot should always be provided and most agree that no lower than 73º and personally I don't like below 77-8º ever. Generally speaking 90/80 should always be the target there is no need for a night drop.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Your day time temps are fine but the night time are very low. The 90º hot spot should always be provided and most agree that no lower than 73º and personally I don't like below 77-8º ever. Generally speaking 90/80 should always be the target there is no need for a night drop.

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x2 I didn't notice that before.

Ball pythons do not need a night drop in temperature. If you are turning something off at night I wouldn't. If your tank is in your room and the light (I'm assuming) is too bright then a Red bulb or something to cover the glass (keep the light in) might be in order.

Given the temps you are reporting I'd strongly suspect ri keep a close eye out for smear trails on the sides of the enclosure and elevated head breathing (mucus dripping is a later stage) Raspy sounds especially after the shed is complete.

Okay I'll start putting his red bulb in at night, thanks guys.
I just noticed him do some open mouth breathing, but he only opens his mouth for like 1 second, and then doesn't do it for another few minutes. He also keeps rubbing the top/side of his nose on stuff, like it itches. I can't see any mucus in his mouth when he opens it or yawns. Also can't see any mucus in his nose, or on the enclosure glass.
I am going to take him to the vet, but should I wait until he finishes shedding or not? I don't want to stress him out when he's in shed.

Could be rubbing his nose because of the shed itself, you should probably wait till the sheds over and reexamine the snakes behaviora

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Thoese are all classic early RI symptoms. It could be a wide variety of things I'd make an appointment now usually it takes a few days to get in, I would also bump the ambient temps up some 83 or so.

Yes wait until he sheds but vet appointment for early next week. in the mean time bump up the temperatures.

Okay thanks so much for all the help everyone! You guys are definitely life savers.

If you can afford it I'd ask for a culture. This way the drugs can be exactly targeted to the 'bug' if it is an RI that is...

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

If you can afford it I'd ask for a culture. This way the drugs can be exactly targeted to the 'bug' if it is an RI that is...

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How much more do those usually run? I know vets are so different in their prices that this can't really be answered... but are you talking around $20 more, or $100 more?

Also, I put some zoo med repti shedding aid on him to help him out a little since I know he's not feelin' too hot. I have some Wipe Out 1 cage cleaner stuff. Should I change out his substrate and clean his cage down right now, to make everything more clean and sanitary?

No that won't do much now. I'd avoid the stress of it.


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It depends a lot the pricing I have is likely to be very different than what you could be quoted it is worth asking about and worth doing if you can. Lab costs for me are very expensive as everything is sent 4000 km away and there is a mark up by my vet. In my case it was over 200$ BUT I know others whom have had it done for under 50$ there is not really a comparison ask your vet and get an estimate there is no standard price. It is going to be better to use specfic drugs than a broad drug but that does not mean the broad drug will not work either.

I also agree I don't mess about with them in shed. Stress is not a friend a healthy snake can manage but one that could be ill it may make the problem worse don't worry about the shed too much just bump the humidity as best you can and let it happen. Good luck!!

Thank you!

Next question...
His head has started to shed, and it is loose and flaked off, and it's been like that for a few days now, and he hasn't started to shed the rest of his body. Should I soak him and let him slide through a towel to help him out, or has he not started actually shedding yet?
I would get pictures, but all I have is a crappy cell phone right now, and I don't think it would really show up with that.

Yes once they start shedding they should shed all of them at that point so you should soak him in water that is 85ish (pretty much not hot or cold) then let him run through a towel or you can put him in a pillow case with a wet towel. You could even do both.