Just adopted a python that lived in a home with smokers...

Hi! I'm a new ball python owner, just adopted my first girl last week! The family that I got her from were very sweet, but I noticed their house reeked VERY strongly of cigarette smoke...it's been a week and despite deep cleaning the tank that she came in, it still smells of smoke as well :/ Thankfully I haven't heard my BP make any noises that would be indicative of a respiratory infection, but I'm still so worried she might be unhealthy after living in that environment (for two years, as I was told). Do you all think I should make a preliminary appointment with a vet to have her checked out? Anyone else have experience adopting BPs that lived in smoking households? Thanks for any advice!

I think that if the tank (or whatever you keep her in) smells like smoke still, I would be putting her into a new environment anyways.

I have heard of snakes getting sick from second hand smoke but I don't have any experience in it myself. If you do take her to a vet my advice would be to find someone who actually looks over snakes. Otherwise you will be charged for a vet visit just to be told to take them to a specialist anyways. Lol or just get poor advice from them.

I wouldn't worry about it. If the snake looks healthy, there is no reason to take it to the vet. Just more stress.
Whatever you use to clean the enclosure, just don't add scents to cover up the smoke.

When I was growing up, everyone seemed to smoke all the time, and everywhere.
It didn't actually kill us.
Never heard of a snake harmed from it, either.

so we have one vote for changing and one against...

anyone care to break the tie?

Welcome to the forum Ann. :)

I grew up with smoking parents. This was before cancer was a proven side effect, so they smoked VERY heavily as well as all guests.

We had indoor dogs and cats that lived 14-16 yrs.

I bet there are smokers here on the forum with healthy snakes.

For killing smoke odor I have found that the combination of fresh air and sunlight do wonders. Sometimes it takes a few days. Obviously this isn't the best time of year for that method.

If it takes a Vet visit for peace of mind go for it. Otherwise use that money for proper equipment, food, and husbandry.

How about some photos of your new snake?

Enjoy

With multiple cleanings, over time the smell will go away. We had a close friend who was a chain smoker who passed away several years ago, and we inherited most of his things. Almost every item reeked of smoke. the smaller decorative items, and the more valuable pieces we soaked in anti-bacterial dish water with a touch of Clorox added, and it worked wonders. If your cage top has a screen, a bit of a soak in the anti-bacterial dish soap with a touch of bleach for about 10 min, then rinse well. It helped with our friends things, perhaps it would help you.

I buy a lot of stuff on eBay. I was amazed how decorations could hold smoke!

Many times I get knocked over by the nasty odor :fishslap: after the first cut into the box! That's when the items spend a week or two in the garage before coming back inside the house.

Thanks all for the advice guys! From what I'm hearing, it seems like it's not necessary to take her to the vet. I will just keep any eye out for any respiratory issues and maintain good husbandry.


Here are some photos of her! (She is rather small so I'm thinking she might actually be a male not a female? hmmm. I suppose that knowing the sex of your BP isn't crucial unless you plan on breeding them, which I do not).

https://i.imgur.com/V5F4RTP.jpg

The first night after I brought her home, I gave her a warm soak to try and get those pesky retained eye caps off!

https://i.imgur.com/jwqiCQD.jpg

I also tried to help her get the rest of her bad shed off.

https://i.imgur.com/Ve7qoaO.jpg

And finally....eye cap free!

Very nice animal!

Good job getting those eye caps off!

Aw it looks like she's in good hands! And I just meant I'd change the set up if it smells bad for my own sanity. As someone else mentioned over time and cleaning the smell should clear up on its own.