I Think My BP has RI

I've been researching about RI in BP lately, because I think mine is acting strange. He yawns A LOT when I hold him, he won't eat, I've caught him stargazing, I hear popping noises when he sticks his tongue out, and he has sneezed twice since I got him on Xmas. I'm really worried for him, as this is my first pet snake. I want to know if there is an easy fix I can do, or if I have to go to the vet.

Notes:
I have a lamp and a heat pad at 90 degrees
He's on EcoEarth
He gets fresh, dechlorinated water
I try my best to keep his humidity around 60%, and it is there most of the time (I even have tin foil on the lid)
He has two hides- one on the cool side, and one on the heat pad
I gave him some climbing decor
He is in a 20 gallon atm, but he will be moved to a 40 gallon once he settles in

if this behavior has been happening since before xmas, i would consider scheduling a vet appointment as soon as you can.

when you first got your snake, was he exhibiting this behavior as well? an RI can happen for a few reasons, but it mainly has to do with humidity and ambient temperature. how are you measuring/reading your temperatures, and what are you using the read humidity?

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

if this behavior has been happening since before xmas, i would consider scheduling a vet appointment as soon as you can.

when you first got your snake, was he exhibiting this behavior as well? an RI can happen for a few reasons, but it mainly has to do with humidity and ambient temperature. how are you measuring/reading your temperatures, and what are you using the read humidity?

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I think I'm going to take him to the vet.

I actually got my BP as a Xmas present, so I would not know what he was like before that. I regret that he came from Petco, but I don't think he was very well cared for there. I'm reading my heat mat's temp. with a metal thermometer with a probe (I don't know how to explain it). I measure the humidity and ambient temp. with those stick-on ones. I know they aren't good, but I don't what to get instead, so could you show me some that you use?

To measure the humidity in the cage - alot of us use this:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/AcuRite-D...00325/16888914

Very cheap at walmart. Just put one in his cage or two if you can afford. You should probably invest in a temp gun in order to get accurate reads on the temps of your heat mat also.

I do believe that may be a case for a vet.

All the symptoms together could very well mean Upper Respiratory Infection. They can also do all this while in shed, but then you would have noticed him going through some of the shed cycle.

The non eating would be mostly due to being sick, but eventually you may have to tweak your setup a bit to entice him. Can you post a picture of it? Seems you are on top of the temps and humidity and that is very good !!! Now you have to make sure you have a very private setup, not wide open. For example, black out the sides and back by taping construction paper or something on the outside of them. Make sure the hides are small enough, and have identical ones on warm and cold side. Clutter it up some.

If you have to treat for an illness, you may actually have to set up a "quarantine/sick tub". They are smaller and easier to keep sanitized. If you cannot do that, you will have to remove everything out of your cage, esp. substrate and extra deco (for now). You need to keep a sick snake on paper towels, something you can clean and sanitize daily. You don't want to keep deco, unless its the kind that can be sanitized.

Since the cage will need to be rather "bare" make sure the sides and back are blacked out, the top mostly covered, and a few hides throughout. Easy to clean hides.

The rest will be up to you and the vet.

Petco snakes aren't ideal, like from most big box store, but it is what it is. You have the lil one now and kudos for doing the right thing :)

Good luck, and keep us up to date..

L.West is right; a lot of us use AcuRite brand thermometers/hygrometers because they're accurate and affordable.

if the snake came from PetCo i would absolutely take him to a vet, and don't be surprised if you learn he as other issues. do you keep any other snakes?

also, is your heat mat regulated by a thermoSTAT? just asking, as a thermostat is an essential, if not the most important piece of equipment you can get for you beep.

keep us updated on your little buddy! i hope he makes a quick recovery. :)

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Originally Posted by zina10

I do believe that may be a case for a vet.

All the symptoms together could very well mean Upper Respiratory Infection. They can also do all this while in shed, but then you would have noticed him going through some of the shed cycle.

The non eating would be mostly due to being sick, but eventually you may have to tweak your setup a bit to entice him. Can you post a picture of it? Seems you are on top of the temps and humidity and that is very good !!! Now you have to make sure you have a very private setup, not wide open. For example, black out the sides and back by taping construction paper or something on the outside of them. Make sure the hides are small enough, and have identical ones on warm and cold side. Clutter it up some.

If you have to treat for an illness, you may actually have to set up a "quarantine/sick tub". They are smaller and easier to keep sanitized. If you cannot do that, you will have to remove everything out of your cage, esp. substrate and extra deco (for now). You need to keep a sick snake on paper towels, something you can clean and sanitize daily. You don't want to keep deco, unless its the kind that can be sanitized.

Since the cage will need to be rather "bare" make sure the sides and back are blacked out, the top mostly covered, and a few hides throughout. Easy to clean hides.

The rest will be up to you and the vet.

Petco snakes aren't ideal, like from most big box store, but it is what it is. You have the lil one now and kudos for doing the right thing :)

Good luck, and keep us up to date..

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spot on zina, as per usual.

OP, this is excellent advice and i hope you follow it. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zina10

I do believe that may be a case for a vet.

All the symptoms together could very well mean Upper Respiratory Infection. They can also do all this while in shed, but then you would have noticed him going through some of the shed cycle.

The non eating would be mostly due to being sick, but eventually you may have to tweak your setup a bit to entice him. Can you post a picture of it? Seems you are on top of the temps and humidity and that is very good !!! Now you have to make sure you have a very private setup, not wide open. For example, black out the sides and back by taping construction paper or something on the outside of them. Make sure the hides are small enough, and have identical ones on warm and cold side. Clutter it up some.

If you have to treat for an illness, you may actually have to set up a "quarantine/sick tub". They are smaller and easier to keep sanitized. If you cannot do that, you will have to remove everything out of your cage, esp. substrate and extra deco (for now). You need to keep a sick snake on paper towels, something you can clean and sanitize daily. You don't want to keep deco, unless its the kind that can be sanitized.

Since the cage will need to be rather "bare" make sure the sides and back are blacked out, the top mostly covered, and a few hides throughout. Easy to clean hides.

The rest will be up to you and the vet.

Petco snakes aren't ideal, like from most big box store, but it is what it is. You have the lil one now and kudos for doing the right thing :)

Good luck, and keep us up to date..

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I just took a pic and covered the sides with notebooks for now. I might have to move him since he is on my desk, where I hangout a lot.

If the vet finds something wrong with him, I will set up that qaurentine tank. I have most of the supplies so it should be easy.

Also, I don't understand how to send you an image, but I can explain it to you.

I have a 20 gallon long aqaurium with a screen lid, and tinfoil covering half. On the left side, I have his waterbowl (big enough for him to fit him) and a hide that you always see the baby leoporard geckos in at petco, except I flipped it on its side (lots of tight spaces). On the right side, I have a log hide under a 60 Infrared Bulb, and over a heat mat (Which has a thermometer). I use EcoEarth substrate. I have two thermometers and a hydrometer sticking to the wall. I try to mist the tank a few times a day, and fill his water back up when needed.

Thanks for the helpful tips. I'm really worried about this guy. I hate seeing my pets sick.

I do not own any other snakes, but I do have alot of fish and reptiles.

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Originally Posted by agl017

On the right side, I have a log hide under a 60 Infrared Bulb, and over a heat mat (Which has a thermometer). I use EcoEarth substrate. I have two thermometers and a hydrometer sticking to the wall.

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a thermoSTAT and a thermoMETER are two completely different things.

are the heat mat and the bulb regulated by a thermoSTAT or rheoSTAT? ALL heat sources MUST be regulated! this is non-negotiable, as it will prevent your pet as well as your house from being burned should the heating element run too hot or fail open (on, full-blast)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

a thermoSTAT and a thermoMETER are two completely different things.

are the heat mat and the bulb regulated by a thermoSTAT or rheoSTAT? ALL heat sources MUST be regulated! this is non-negotiable, as it will prevent your pet as well as your house from being burned should the heating element run too hot or fail open (on, full-blast)

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I do have a heat regulator

Quote:

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Originally Posted by agl017

I do have a heat regulator

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excellent! just wanting to make sure. one less thing for us to worry about. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by agl017

Also, I don't understand how to send you an image, but I can explain it to you.

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If you haven't done so already, download the free app Tapatalk. You can use that to access this and other forums and it makes uploading photos super easy. Just touch the photo icon and add to your thread - it's so much easier. The fine folks here will help you dial in your husbandry to perfection, and seeing your set-up will get them there quicker.

Good luck to you and your noodle, sounds like he's lucky to have you!

I’d ditch the infrared light for a ceramic heat emitter. Balls are nocturnal or crepuscular if you will and light is a stressor. If the snake is stressed it won’t eat. Your common signs of RI in a ball are elevated head, bubbles around the mouth or mucous in far advanced cases.

If you decide to go to the vet make sure they run a culture to diagnose the type of RI and prescribe either ceftazidime (fortaz) or amikacin. Baytril will commonly be prescribed injection style by a vet that doesn’t deal mainly in exotics and the injections from it can cause some nasty burns.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BMorrison

I’d ditch the infrared light for a ceramic heat emitter. Balls are nocturnal or crepuscular if you will and light is a stressor. If the snake is stressed it won’t eat. Your common signs of RI in a ball are elevated head, bubbles around the mouth or mucous in far advanced cases.

If you decide to go to the vet make sure they run a culture to diagnose the type of RI and prescribe either ceftazidime (fortaz) or amikacin. Baytril will commonly be prescribed injection style by a vet that doesn’t deal mainly in exotics and the injections from it can cause some nasty burns.


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Very good point. The culture is quite important, it may end up costing a bit more in the beginning, but once the culture comes back, you and your vet will know exactly what you are up against. Most likely you will get a broad spectrum antibiotic right away, but the culture will show whether you need to change any treatment or tweak it.

Also quite important to try to find a vet that treats reptiles at least somewhat regularly. See if they can also do a fecal while there (might as well get it all done and out of the way...). Even if there is no poop, they can sometimes get something via. a wash, enough to check for parasites (worms) and protozoans such as giardia.

So far the snake doesn't show severe symptoms, so now is the time to treat if treatment is needed. The sooner, the better the chances for a great outcome :) Parasites and Protozoans are easily treated once you know they are there..

Update:
We took my snake to the vet today. He does have RI, and thankfully there is nothing else wrong with him. We got some meds. Thank you all so much for the help! I was gone for awhile because I had to convince my parents he was sick. I also got the humidity/ temp gauge one of you suggested. Hope you all have a good year, and I'll give an update when he's healthy again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by agl017

Update:
We took my snake to the vet today. He does have RI, and thankfully there is nothing else wrong with him. All we have to do is give him a shot every three days. Thank you all so much for the help! I was gone for awhile because I had to convince my parents he was sick. I also got the humidity/ temp gauge one of you suggested. Hope you all have a good year, and I'll give an update when he's healthy again.

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this is good to hear. :) good luck with treatment, and please keep us posted on both of your progress!

It's been a few weeks, so I thought it would be nice to post an update.

I've been giving my BP his shots every three days for the past few weeks (I think the last one is today). It's weird, it seems like his symptoms are very slowly going away (VERY SLOWLY). I've noticed a lot less yawning and gasping. He still has the occasional moment where he will show symptoms of RI. We're going to take him back to the vet to see what further actions we should take, and get him force-fed (He has not eaten since we got him, and I've been trying every week). It's hard caring for a sick snake when it's your first one, I've had a few slip-ups, but it is nice to see him getting better. He's still very active and strong, so he isn't getting worse. I'll give another update soon (hopefully when he's better!).

Bye :)

Glad things are getting better for him. If Im correct you got him at the begging of the month. I don't know his weight but Balls go Months without eating especially during winter. A few weeks is nothing. Mine go 2-3 months. Force Feeding may not be necessary at all & Its very stressful on them. Unless he is starving (spine sticking up in a triangle shape) this would be a bad time to stress him more when his immune system is already down.

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

Glad things are getting better for him. If Im correct you got him at the begging of the month. I don't know his weight but Balls go Months without eating especially during winter. A few weeks is nothing. Mine go 2-3 months. Force Feeding may not be necessary at all & Its very stressful on them. Unless he is starving (spine sticking up in a triangle shape) this would be a bad time to stress him more when his immune system is already down.

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I was actually thinking about that today after I posted the update.

I'll keep trying to feed him, I doubt he'll do it this week. He actaully started going into shed today, so I'm happy to see ge's feeling better.

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Originally Posted by agl017

I was actually thinking about that today after I posted the update.

I'll keep trying to feed him, I doubt he'll do it this week. He actaully started going into shed today, so I'm happy to see ge's feeling better.

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When they are off feed its best to offer less. Refusing is habit forming with some. Wait until after shedding is complete. When they refuse don't offer sooner than once a week. I myself wait 2 weeks. You will both be better off in the long run. They do finally get hungry and eat.

I just gave my BP a bath. I came home to a mess of skin in his tank. While I was bathing him I noticed alot of the symptoms were still there, they just haven't gotten worse. I've seen those DIY treatments on here. Do you guys think it would be worth a shot? I don't feel like th meds are doing anything for him :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by agl017

I just gave my BP a bath. I came home to a mess of skin in his tank. While I was bathing him I noticed alot of the symptoms were still there, they just haven't gotten worse. I've seen those DIY treatments on here. Do you guys think it would be worth a shot? I don't feel like th meds are doing anything for him :(

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No. He was on Meds and it didnt work which means the Vet gave meds for the wrong infection possibly. It can be Viral or Bacterial.. Separate meds are for each. Go back asap.

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

No. He was on Meds and it didnt work which means the Vet gave meds for the wrong infection possibly. It can be Viral or Bacterial.. Separate meds are for each. Go back asap.

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Ok, thanks. We will definitely go back soon and try the other meds.

I'm very sad to say that my snake passed peacefully in his sleep last night. He put up a great fight and I thought he was getting better, but sadly his little body couldn't take it anymore. We tried our best, we actually just got the test results back from the culture. He was such a nice little guy and it's sad that he had to go, but he's in a better place now. Thank you all for you help and support.

So sorry to hear this.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by agl017

I'm very sad to say that my snake passed peacefully in his sleep last night. He put up a great fight and I thought he was getting better, but sadly his little body couldn't take it anymore. We tried our best, we actually just got the test results back from the culture. He was such a nice little guy and it's sad that he had to go, but he's in a better place now. Thank you all for you help and support.

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oh no. :( i'm so, so sorry for your loss.