So it begins! BCI Popping

Now that my babies are here I am going to freak out every two seconds about them, fair warning!

I heard a couple of pops come from my female as she was exploring my hand (she doesn't like to let go!) Do I just keep an eye on this over the next few days? She's otherwise active and strong. The male doesn't grip anywhere near as tight as her but is just as active. Their bins are heating up as we speak.

She's definately popping. They have to stay in their transport box for one more night because I need to go get them a new themostat but tomorrow they are going in the bins. What do I do? ):

Depends on what's causing the "popping" noise you're hearing. It could be an RI, but it could be something totally simple like a piece of stuck shed in her nostril.

They are going back in the shipping box?? In what? A deli cup or a bag?

Make sure the box is somewhere warm, but no higher than 82-84 degrees. They won't be able to move away from the heat source, so you have to be careful that they don't overheat. Too warm is worse than too cool. But if it IS an RI, you don't want them to cool down too much either.

I would actually rather put them in their bins. Just turn off the heat pad so it can't overheat until you get the t-stat hooked up tomorrow. But they'd probably be more comfortable there. Again, you'll have to put them in a warm place though.

I messed around with my tstat and got it going again. The popping is coming from her lungs I can feel it when I hold her.


Sent from an anxious girl!!

Then she needs to see a vet for antibiotics.

Given the way you acquired them and all the mess around that, I'm not surprised. Get her to a vet, and good luck! Keep us updated.

There aren't any reptile vets here. /:


Sent from an anxious girl!!

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Originally Posted by Flint

There aren't any reptile vets here. /:


Sent from an anxious girl!!

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Then you need to find one. I drive 45 min to my reptile vet. She needs a vet.

This is where it gets interesting as I know you are low on funds. NO chewing you out as it is not constructive, but I will be blunt. You NEED to find a vet as others have said or you will more than likely watch the snake die.

Do all you can with temps and humidity and research what you can do there at home, but more than likely a vet will be needed.

As I said before, whoever "gifted" you the snakes did you and the snakes no favors. The front end preparation is above all else before the snakes come it includes researching vets and everything. In all reality, if you are not able to care for them or can't afford their care you need to find somebody who can.

Nobody wants to make you feel bad or see you fail, just the opposite actually. Find a vet, drive an hour or two if needed. Usually they can fix you up for home care on the first visit.

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Originally Posted by Gio

This is where it gets interesting as I know you are low on funds. NO chewing you out as it is not constructive, but I will be blunt. You NEED to find a vet as others have said or you will more than likely watch the snake die.

Do all you can with temps and humidity and research what you can do there at home, but more than likely a vet will be needed.

As I said before, whoever "gifted" you the snakes did you and the snakes no favors. The front end preparation is above all else before the snakes come it includes researching vets and everything. In all reality, if you are not able to care for them or can't afford their care you need to find somebody who can.

Nobody wants to make you feel bad or see you fail, just the opposite actually. Find a vet, drive an hour or two if needed. Usually they can fix you up for home care on the first visit.

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Exactly. Well said. :gj:

My vet who I trust fully is over an hour and a half away: well worth it though to find someone that knows what they're doing!

On the topic of RIs when left untreated they can be fatal (if caught early some can get well with nebulized F10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJCnPfuqaBM - start at 2:50 - 5:30) . But I've had three snakes come to me with RIs and each needed antibiotics: a culture is absolutely recommended also so the vet knows exactly what medication to prescribe.

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

My vet who I trust fully is over an hour and a half away: well worth it though to find someone that knows what they're doing!

On the topic of RIs when left untreated they can be fatal (if caught early some can get well with nebulized F10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJCnPfuqaBM - start at 2:50 - 5:30) . But I've had three snakes come to me with RIs and each needed antibiotics: a culture is absolutely recommended also so the vet knows exactly what medication to prescribe.

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Hi Daybreaker,

In your experience, what would you say is the approximate cost of treatment and visit?

Is one visit usually sufficient to set the owner up for home care?

Your knowledge is helpful as many of us have not had to deal with these things, and I think the O/P could learn what to expect.

Thanks for posting up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

Hi Daybreaker,

In your experience, what would you say is the approximate cost of treatment and visit?

Is one visit usually sufficient to set the owner up for home care?

Your knowledge is helpful as many of us have not had to deal with these things, and I think the O/P could learn what to expect.

Thanks for posting up.

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I've seen prices for a culture and antibiotics all over the board, some are next to nothing and some (like what I paid) seem to be on the high end. I've used two different reptile vets (the one I went to first for issues then I found my new go-to exotics vet afterward) but the exams cost between $30-40 by themselves (ask if the practice offers any discounts: the vet I go to now offers a student discount and military).

Baytril ran about $20 for a months supply which (usually) kicks the RI, it seems most vets prescribe antibiotics for at least 2 weeks up to a month or more depending on the severity of the RI. You can also use the nebulized F10 in conjunction with the antibiotics also. One of the bps that came to me ill had a re-occurring RI that ending up costing over $350 to get a culture done to prescribe a different antibiotic than Baytril since Baytril doesn't always kick the RI infection depending on the strain of RI. I think this is on the high end since I've seen some get cultures done for well under that. So what to expect: expensive vet bills that can come with owning any animal! And after personal experience get a culture done first before trying any antibiotic.

On the note of expenses and vets, from personal experience I can't recommend finding a knowledgeable vet enough and don't always assume that odd behavior/physical signs are nothing to worry about. I don't want to fear monger but I've had a rough year last year in regards to snake health issues so I am very cautious now when it comes to their health and when things seem "off". One of my corns passed from pneumonia (me and the vet have no idea how this came about), one needed invasive surgery when she became egg bound after being paired two years previous with the old owner (not the most common thing ever), and the bp with the re-occurring RI that finally cleared up ended up showing odd neurological issues later on (no spider gene in him) that cost a lot in tests and treatment (found out he had an infection in his spine: me and the vet have no idea where this came from either but think it was an underlying issue to the RIs. He has since been treated and he's made a full 180 from where he was and I couldn't be happier. I am very hopeful for his future!). Sorry for the novel: I think it's just very important to expect the unexpected with any animal and be prepared to deal with it when you need to.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

I've seen prices for a culture and antibiotics all over the board, some are next to nothing and some (like what I paid) seem to be on the high end. I've used two different reptile vets (the one I went to first for issues then I found my new go-to exotics vet afterward) but the exams cost between $30-40 by themselves (ask if the practice offers any discounts: the vet I go to now offers a student discount and military).

Baytril ran about $20 for a months supply which (usually) kicks the RI, it seems most vets prescribe antibiotics for at least 2 weeks up to a month or more depending on the severity of the RI. You can also use the nebulized F10 in conjunction with the antibiotics also. One of the bps that came to me ill had a re-occurring RI that ending up costing over $350 to get a culture done to prescribe a different antibiotic than Baytril since Baytril doesn't always kick the RI infection depending on the strain of RI. I think this is on the high end since I've seen some get cultures done for well under that. So what to expect: expensive vet bills that can come with owning any animal! And after personal experience get a culture done first before trying any antibiotic.

On the note of expenses and vets, from personal experience I can't recommend finding a knowledgeable vet enough and don't always assume that odd behavior/physical signs are nothing to worry about. I don't want to fear monger but I've had a rough year last year in regards to snake health issues so I am very cautious now when it comes to their health and when things seem "off". One of my corns passed from pneumonia (me and the vet have no idea how this came about), one needed invasive surgery when she became egg bound after being paired two years previous with the old owner (not the most common thing ever), and the bp with the re-occurring RI that finally cleared up ended up showing odd neurological issues later on (no spider gene in him) that cost a lot in tests and treatment (found out he had an infection in his spine: me and the vet have no idea where this came from either but think it was an underlying issue to the RIs. He has since been treated and he's made a full 180 from where he was and I couldn't be happier. I am very hopeful for his future!). Sorry for the novel: I think it's just very important to expect the unexpected with any animal and be prepared to deal with it when you need to.

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I'd say to all with questions or concerns,,,, let the above post by Daybreaker be your guide. That's some good info and experience.

For the O/P this should give you an idea of what is to come to save your pet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

I've seen prices for a culture and antibiotics all over the board, some are next to nothing and some (like what I paid) seem to be on the high end. I've used two different reptile vets (the one I went to first for issues then I found my new go-to exotics vet afterward) but the exams cost between $30-40 by themselves (ask if the practice offers any discounts: the vet I go to now offers a student discount and military).

Baytril ran about $20 for a months supply which (usually) kicks the RI, it seems most vets prescribe antibiotics for at least 2 weeks up to a month or more depending on the severity of the RI. You can also use the nebulized F10 in conjunction with the antibiotics also. One of the bps that came to me ill had a re-occurring RI that ending up costing over $350 to get a culture done to prescribe a different antibiotic than Baytril since Baytril doesn't always kick the RI infection depending on the strain of RI. I think this is on the high end since I've seen some get cultures done for well under that. So what to expect: expensive vet bills that can come with owning any animal! And after personal experience get a culture done first before trying any antibiotic.

On the note of expenses and vets, from personal experience I can't recommend finding a knowledgeable vet enough and don't always assume that odd behavior/physical signs are nothing to worry about. I don't want to fear monger but I've had a rough year last year in regards to snake health issues so I am very cautious now when it comes to their health and when things seem "off". One of my corns passed from pneumonia (me and the vet have no idea how this came about), one needed invasive surgery when she became egg bound after being paired two years previous with the old owner (not the most common thing ever), and the bp with the re-occurring RI that finally cleared up ended up showing odd neurological issues later on (no spider gene in him) that cost a lot in tests and treatment (found out he had an infection in his spine: me and the vet have no idea where this came from either but think it was an underlying issue to the RIs. He has since been treated and he's made a full 180 from where he was and I couldn't be happier. I am very hopeful for his future!). Sorry for the novel: I think it's just very important to expect the unexpected with any animal and be prepared to deal with it when you need to.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

I'd say to all with questions or concerns,,,, let the above post by Daybreaker be your guide. That's some good info and experience.

For the O/P this should give you an idea of what is to come to save your pet.

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I totally agree. This is how I feel about taking my own animals to the vet. I don't panic at just anything and I don't feel that it's always necessary to take an animal to a vet at the drop of a hat for the least little hiccup. BUT there are times when a vet is absolutely necessary and if you're going to own an animal of ANY sort, you have to take full responsibility for that animal's well-being. That fully includes taking that animal to a vet when it is necessary. With snakes, a sign of an RI makes a trip to a vet absolutely necessary.

Flint, where are you located?? Perhaps some of us here can help you locate a good herp vet.

I get a little concerned when there is a great deal of worry followed by questions, suggestions and then a disappearance. Are we on the right track here? How are the snakes?

Is there any progress with the search for a vet that can provide proper care?

Please don't be one of those here today gone tomorrow folks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

I get a little concerned when there is a great deal of worry followed by questions, suggestions and then a disappearance. Are we on the right track here? How are the snakes?

Is there any progress with the search for a vet that can provide proper care?

Please don't be one of those here today gone tomorrow folks.

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I agree. We are trying to help you. Please don't leave just because we said "vet".

Ummm,,,,, anything??? Improvements, find a vet, still alive??

You were posting daily until the vet recommendation, what happened?

Please give an update on the snakes. A vet is def needed in this situation. And if you really cannot do that then it is better to try to find somebody who can and will otherwise these poor babies are probably going to waste away. Vets will work with you on payment plans too. I realize it isn't always easy to find a vet that will see snakes. But these guys need it. I hope there okay.:please:

H E L L O,,,,,,,,,

Update?? I'm almost afraid to ask. Lot's of folks gave advice with good intentions and were/are hoping to hear good news.

Let us know please.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

H E L L O,,,,,,,,,

Update?? I'm almost afraid to ask. Lot's of folks gave advice with good intentions and were/are hoping to hear good news.

Let us know please.

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When people drop off the face of the earth and never reply again like this. It usually means that they didn't/won't take advice. I have a gut feeling something went wrong here. I hope those boas got care. I know I am really concerned.:(

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Originally Posted by Chaoticpythons

When people drop off the face of the earth and never reply again like this. It usually means that they didn't/won't take advice. I have a gut feeling something went wrong here. I hope those boas got care. I know I am really concerned.:(

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Yeah, honestly I had a gut feeling from day one this was going to be bad, but I was hoping things would go the other way. Maybe they are still OK??

I think everybody that gets into this hobby is allowed to make mistakes. I did with our first snake (royal), but a day after I got on this board, I had a Herpstat II and a whole new approach to my husbandry. You just have to adjust to the learning curve. You MUST listen!!

Taking the advice from experienced keepers and FOLLOWING it is the key.

Our second snake, the boa was a research project before it ever was purchased. I think Kali gave me tips and advice for close to a year before I ever even had the cage here.

Having been on the "newbie" side of things and then, becoming a complete biological research hound I can only say that GOOD advice from others, and self education is the best way to succeed in this hobby.

I don't have a lot of empathy for people who come and ask for advice and then make excuses for why they can't follow what NEEDS to be done.

Cold hearted or not, if you can't care for an animal and I mean ANY animal the way it is supposed to be cared for, you simply should not own it.

Somehow reptiles are given a green light as a great pet for young kids or people who don't have time to spend with dogs or cats.

The simple fact is,, these are complex animals. More so than many recognize. Just because they don't express themselves like mammals do, does not mean they don't suffer.

Like I said before I really wanted this to turn out well, but I'm afraid it's not the case.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gio

I don't have a lot of empathy for people who come and ask for advice and then make excuses for why they can't follow what NEEDS to be done.

Cold hearted or not, if you can't care for an animal and I mean ANY animal the way it is supposed to be cared for, you simply should not own it.

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This. :mad: