Resp. Infection

Ok. Got our 1st mail order snake right at a month ago and tonight found him to have a resp. Infection. It appears I caught it early. Mucous presant by no signs of distress. This is our 1st case but thanks to this site im educated in what to look for and how to identify. Am taking him to vet in the morning. My question is how is the best way to handle talking to to breeder we got him from? I for sure need to let them know so they can keeP an eye on their collection but don't know if they will be offended or defensive. Not naming names but it's a well known breeder. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Did it have signs of RI when it was delivered? If so, I feel you should have let the breeder know then. If not, the breeder will probably not be offended but talk to you about your husbandry.

What makes you think it is the breeder that gave the snake RI and not you?

We should probably be talking about your husbandry. Tell us what numbers you are providing your ball and how you are measuring them.

Tripple check your QT set-up.
You should let the breeder know just as a precaution.

Oh I learned a long time ago not to assume anything! Lol. Im not looking to place blame on anyone. Last night was the 1st sign of illness. His husbandry is fine. He's in a rack system, temp set at 88 humidity runs around 55-60. I've since upped his temp to 92. But I was talking to a much more experienced friend last night and she was expressing concern about the breeder getting offended when I call to tell him. My only concern is his collection, I feel like he needs to know so he can keep an eye on them IN CASE he was sick b4 he was shipped out. I don't see me offending him by alerting him but that conversation has me concerned. Bottom line is its here and now and I want to do the responsable thing with out offending anyone.

and that is how you need to inform the breeder. :gj::gj:
could have been the stress of shipping too.

how do you mean? we treat every new snake for mites as they come in, their numbers are good, tubs and water are always clean. heck, we got a pur water filter specifically for our snakes after we got our 1st one. lol

What are the ambient air temps? This is likely more important than hot spot when it comes to lungs the air they are breathing.

High 70's during the day and low 70's at night.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by h&tmaster

High 70's during the day and low 70's at night.

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no temp change is needed.
that could be the cause right there

Agreed, high 70s are fine but low 70's are too cool and temp is also linked to RI. I would not recommend lower than 77ºF (75ºF at the dead bottom if you have accurate thermometers) I would not alter the hot spot but the ambient temps I would lift to 82 during the illness. Then drop them to 80º after recovery.

I had a similar situation recently. I got two babies in from the same breeder who refused to eat from day one. They were monitored closely and aside from not eating acted fine and looked normal. One day I checked on them and the smaller of the two had passed away. No necrospy was done at that point but I had been talking with the breeder back and forth throughout the not eating. I know people believe ball pythons are picky eaters but for a young snake not to eat is not good. At first he came off defensive as if I was placing blame on him but I let him know that there was no way to confirm why the first snake had passed away. Days later the 2nd snake started showing severe signs of RI and was taken to the vet immediately. It was cultured and confirmed and the vet started her on Antibiotics. I'm sure my husbandry wasn't the cause of the RI because my racks and conditions are spot on. The snakes were sent to me sickly but time had passed and I didn't want to blow the situation out of proportion. To be honest though a breeder should at least care what is happening with animals they have sold to people. There are no rules on the subject but I can tell you I will never purchase an animal from the person who sold me those babies.

The baby has been responding well to the injections and has not shown and severe signs in a few days and hopefully will start eating soon.

thats natural. the window in that room faces east so it warms up in the first half of the day and cools down during the late night. his rack has back heat and was set at 88. its now at 92. vet seems pretty sure it was the stress from shipping and drastic climate change. i am lucky to have a reptile vet 30 minutes away. she said it dosent appear to have moved to his lungs which is good. got his 1st fortaz shot today. other than the mucus he seems fine. still active, no distress.

sorry to hear you lost 1 but glad the 2nd is doing better. if you would please in box me who you got it from. im curious to know if it is the same person. i personally dont think he was sick when he shipped him and if so, i dont think he knew because he was showing no signs of illness until last night and weve had him a month. however, if he is shipping out sick snakes unknowingly he needs to know. not to mention his entire collection is possibly at risk.