Mortified + How To Check Mouth?

Just got back from the vet.

My roommate had been handling my BP while I was at work, (apparently had been doing so for over a month... including after feeding). My python is housed in my room, and I figured it was understood that my room is off limits.

I come home from a 3rd shift at the hospital to my roommate searching the living room frantically... tossing pillows off the couch and flipping crap upside down. Apparently he had not only taken him out (I JUST fed him yesterday before leaving for work...) but had dropped him somewhere in the living room. When he got back from walking the dog, he was no where to be found. This apparently happened hours and hours ago.

We found Wheatley after about a couple hours of searching. The poor dude had crawled into the fireplace (it's never turned on) and had hidden under some of the logs.

I went straight to the veterinary hospital, as he was VERY cold (the house sits at 55-60°F down stairs) and likely had been cold for hours.

After doing a very thorough examination, it was discovered that he had thrown up his meal, but otherwise apparently fine. It was recommended to check his glottis to see if there is any bubbling or other indications of a respiratory infection.

During the debrief kind of thing at the end, I asked the assistant how to check his glottis...?

The veterinary assistant told me exactly how to open Wheatley's mouth, but it seemed excessively stressful for him... she pinched the skin back from his head, like you would when picking up a kitten, and jammed a tool into his mouth to pry it open. When she demonstrated this, Wheatley panicked and started gnashing at the tool and was flailing quite wildly.

I voiced my concern about this method, but was assured this doesn't hurt him. I'm still not so sure.

Isn't there any other way to check his mouth without manipulating his mouth or taking a bite?

All the while, Wheatley is completely blind right now, as he is preparing for shed....


Herp Derp

I wouldn't bother, honestly. I'd put him back in his enclosure and leave him alone for a few days. You can listen for an RI and look at the outside of his mouth in the meantime. All you really have to do is lift his lip with your finger, if there's bubbles/lots of saliva you'll see it. He needs to be left alone for the time being, not have his mouth pulled open every day.

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I would follow your vets instructions.
There is no easy way but your vet told you to do it. ;)

BTW there was no reason to make a vet trip for a lost and cold cold blooded reptile.

I would just leave him alone and make sure he stays warm and hydrated. A few hours of being cold shouldn't hurt him.

Did your vet tell you how to help your snake recover from the regurgitation?

I agree with what the others have said. Leave him in his viv for a week, and make sure he gets a few meals in him before he is handled again

What sort of cage do you have? Perhaps get a lock to stop your roommate from handling him without your permission and when you are not around. It will stop further stress on the animal and you will be able to keep him more secure also. Make sure your roommate knows they are not allowed to handle him when you are not around, especially after he has eaten.

I'm confused... you started this at 4:40pm saying you "just got back from the vet" after this traumatic lost time, getting cold, taking him off to another vet visit, involving checking his glottis...

But at 3:18pm today, you posted a photo of him chilling on your lap "for an hour".

So excuse me for my confusion, but if you got back from a third shift, searched for hours, rushed the snake to the vet, got the exam and got home... to post this thread at 4:40pm, at which point was your snake laying in your lap for an hour chilling and not looking too much like he's blind from shedding?

Just let him be, monitor him like the others stated. I would wait at least a week to feed him, assuming he sheds within that time frame.

Also I would look at putting a lock on your door. You can get a new door handle from one of the hardware stores for $20-30 and install it. It's very easy to do all you need is a screw driver. That or maybe if you don't feel comfortable doing it, have somebody else do it.

In the mean time I would look for a new place to live, me personally. That shows they don't respect personal boundaries or even your stuff.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

I'm confused... you started this at 4:40pm saying you "just got back from the vet" after this traumatic lost time, getting cold, taking him off to another vet visit, involving checking his glottis...

But at 3:18pm today, you posted a photo of him chilling on your lap "for an hour".

So excuse me for my confusion, but if you got back from a third shift, searched for hours, rushed the snake to the vet, got the exam and got home... to post this thread at 4:40pm, at which point was your snake laying in your lap for an hour chilling and not looking too much like he's blind from shedding?

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[image removed by staff]

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...8ca98a77df.png

Here. This should clear quite a bit up.


Herp Derp

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KingWheatley

[image removed by staff]

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...8ca98a77df.png

Here. This should clear quite a bit up.


Herp Derp

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http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...38057fd9c3.png

>_<"



Herp Derp

Did you just repost the same screenshot that was removed due to a TOS violation?

ETA: I see the diffffference, lol.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fraido

Did you just repost the same screenshot that was removed due to a TOS violation?

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The violation is not in the screen shot now but I dont see the point of the shots??

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

The violation is not in the screen shot now but I dont see the point of the shots??

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It shows that the photos she posted were taken Thursday, not today.

I just want to say +1 to getting a lock for his enclosure... That does not sound like a trustworthy roommate..

Ive got popcorn on all of kingwheatleys threads lately

Wheatley has seriously been through more in his short life than most snakes endure in a lifetime.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BPGator

Wheatley has seriously been through more in his short life than most snakes endure in a lifetime.


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Seriously, I can't help but feel sooo bad for this snake. It breaks my heart that he has to deal with all of this. I would have never considered getting another BP, but if I could rescue Wheatley I would in a heartbeat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BPGator

Wheatley has seriously been through more in his short life than most snakes endure in a lifetime.


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If I could +1 this more than once I would...


Herp Derp

Update: I'm looking for a new roommate...

My current roommate has relocated my snake's tank downstairs among party members, and I'm on my way home (having left work as a temporary emergency) to go pick him up and put him in a small tote.

Thank goodness I had the forethought to run my webcam as a makeshift security camera....

He's actually going to be looked after by a friend of mine who owns many reptiles, including a boa, a retic, and a couple other BPs until I can find a new roommate.

Also, so he can properly recover from this trauma. My friend isn't an expert, but she knows her stuff.

Because this is just 100% not ok. I'm very angry at the moment. I can't talk well, so I apologize if this comes off as uncaring, I do not mean it so.


Herp Derp

Be sure your friend applies proper quarantine procedures.

Probably for the best he gets out of that environment.

Just a quick relief update for those following. Wheatley is fine. Not sure how fine, but he's physically fine...

I was worrying and thinking of all kinds of possible scenarios... murdered pet being a huge possibility as I was picturing my roommate and/or party members breaking the glass tank open and trying to handle the poor, terrified noodle... him biting them, and retaliation from the bitten party...

I thought the worst but he's ok now. In the process of packing him into my car. My roommate just had him downstairs on display.

On the way to my friend's place right now.

I'm numb at the moment and far too relieved, but can't think straight. Probably not even smart to post this up here as there are a lot of concerned people... but I don't want to think about that right now.

I need to go back to work soon... might be a while before I can get back on here because I'll need to talk to my supervisor and stuff but I just wanted to let you guys know he's ok now....


Herp Derp

Let the poor snake be. Let him get a couple weeks without being touched but only to be fed IMO.

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Originally Posted by amrakweno

Let the poor snake be. Let him get a couple weeks without being touched but only to be fed IMO.

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Right?

Who in their right mind would take a SNAKE'S TANK downstairs when the OWNER LOCKS IT. OBVIOUSLY the owner doesn't want you messing with it.


Herp Derp

Hope you dont have any children or plants As they wouldnt get the needed care they need From you. As snakes are probably the easiest thing to care for.

At this point that poor snake would be safer at Petsmart. It's one crazy nightmare after another while under your care.

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I'd be having a very serious sit down with my roommate if I were you... even if you still plan to get a new one/kick them out they need to know how very very NOT OKAY what they've been doing is.

And to everyone being mean about the situation... try being a bit more considerate. This forum never fails to be forthcoming with help and constructive criticism, but there is nothing constructive or helpful about insulting someone. If you've never made newbie mistakes or had any misconceptions about your animals in the entirety of owning them I'd consider you an extremely lucky, extremely rare individual. None of us came into keeping reptiles as an expert. And honestly putting someone down for legitimately caring about their animal, sharing stories and asking for advice is counterintuitive to the whole function of this site.

So please, think before you post. :)

Just another installment of the piss poor treatment of Wheatley. Sorry if anyone feels this is a personal jab, but my friggin 8 year old daughter takes care of animals better than Wheatley is being treated. As someone already said, it's sad to say that this poor BP would get better treatment at a Petco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trisnake

I'd be having a very serious sit down with my roommate if I were you... even if you still plan to get a new one/kick them out they need to know how very very NOT OKAY what they've been doing is.

And to everyone being mean about the situation... try being a bit more considerate. This forum never fails to be forthcoming with help and constructive criticism, but there is nothing constructive or helpful about insulting someone. If you've never made newbie mistakes or had any misconceptions about your animals in the entirety of owning them I'd consider you an extremely lucky, extremely rare individual. None of us came into keeping reptiles as an expert. And honestly putting someone down for legitimately caring about their animal, sharing stories and asking for advice is counterintuitive to the whole function of this site.

So please, think before you post. :)

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Welcome to the internet forums where nothing is sugar coated. And yours feelings dont matter to us. Only the well being of your snake

At this point this is not doing any good.
I think there are a lot of posters here that need to review the TOS of this site AND possibly think about what they post next...