Not flicking tongue after RI

My ball python had RI symptoms and after a week of isolation and antibiotics now, he is not flicking his tongue.

After the treatment, within a couple days he already did not elevate his head nor any wheezing, bubbles etc. He seems otherwise normal, but just no tongue flicking whatsoever. I took a q tip open the mouth and do not see any discharge or bubbles anymore, but I think as I was doing it a tooth caught the sticj or something and there was blood so I don't want to do it again.

Why isn't he flicking his tongue?

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Originally Posted by hungba

My ball python had RI symptoms and after a week of isolation and antibiotics now, he is not flicking his tongue.

After the treatment, within a couple days he already did not elevate his head nor any wheezing, bubbles etc. He seems otherwise normal, but just no tongue flicking whatsoever. I took a q tip open the mouth and do not see any discharge or bubbles anymore, but I think as I was doing it a tooth caught the sticj or something and there was blood so I don't want to do it again.

Why isn't he flicking his tongue?

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I'm probably wrong because I have no experience with UR's, but I'm wondering if perhaps the combination of the URI itself and a side effect of the antibiotics have resulted in diminished "taste/smell". Total speculation on my part though. Perhaps you could run it past your vet? Good luck with your snake, hope he's completely recovered in no time!! :)

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Originally Posted by B.P.'s 4me

I'm probably wrong because I have no experience with UR's, but I'm wondering if perhaps the combination of the URI itself and a side effect of the antibiotics have resulted in diminished "taste/smell". Total speculation on my part though. Perhaps you could run it past your vet? Good luck with your snake, hope he's completely recovered in no time!! :)

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Its an interesting idea, one that isnt out of the question, I suppose. Did the vet ever mention any side effects of the treatment?

Have you given him food? Does he eat?

I have asked before and she said this is not a side effect of antibiotics. However, as it was not an appointment I could only ask her through leaving her a message which her staff replied. She did not say if this means he is ok now or not.
She is now away until June 19th and that is why I am asking on the forum.

I read in some posts that some snakes just do not flick their tongues much, but I have not noticed if he is such a snake or how much he flicked before he got sick. I just did not look before.

Some other posts say it is a sign of RI, but other posts say it is nothing to worry about. I am continuing to give the antibiotics to finish the course but I need to know how to tell if he is cured or not.

I see no more bubbles in the mouth, nor any more wheezing sounds or holding the head up/opening mouth. The head up/mouth open thing stopped as soon as I moved him to the isolation tub. The wheezing continued to the second day and only when handled to give medicine. As of today he seems 100% normal EXCEPT the lack of tongue flicking.

I hope someone can give me an answer. I don't know who to ask, the vet is away and my friend who is an exotic vet who moved away from here is not replying yo my emails anymore.

This is what happened I change the water and paper and saw when I went to change the water that day the shed and also poo was in the water bowl and I think he got sick drinking it.

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Originally Posted by Timelugia

Have you given him food? Does he eat?

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No, the vet said give him food after the course of antibiotics, which ends on June 11th. Why?

BTW its night time here and I just took a peak with a torch at him and I think I saw a tongue flick? But even if it was its just one as he then crawled around with no tongue flicking at all. Or it could be a trick of the light.

It's possible that he has an infection of his tongue sheath: I once had a BP shipped to me that arrived with such an infection...when he flicked his
tongue, the tips stuck together. I have a feeling there might be some variations, & if it's more difficult for him to flick his (now "sticky") tongue, maybe
that's why he's not doing it? As far as I know, an RI might or might not involve the tongue sheath...do mention this observation to the vet, but if you
aren't yet finished with the course of antibiotics, I sure hope that all returns to normal once he's finished with his medicine.

It's also possible that the antibiotics make him feel slightly unwell or strange...in other words, if he doesn't feel like eating, maybe that's why he's not
searching with his tongue? (like when we have a cold & don't feel like eating...?)

Healthy snakes do tend to flick their tongues frequently: their sense of smell is one of their top senses, along with touch. When I evaluate a new snake
for purchase or adoption, that's one of many things I make a point to observe.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

It's possible that he has an infection of his tongue sheath: I once had a BP shipped to me that arrived with such an infection...when he flicked his
tongue, the tips stuck together. I have a feeling there might be some variations, & if it's more difficult for him to flick his (now "sticky") tongue, maybe
that's why he's not doing it? As far as I know, an RI might or might not involve the tongue sheath...do mention this observation to the vet, but if you
aren't yet finished with the course of antibiotics, I sure hope that all returns to normal once he's finished with his medicine.

It's also possible that the antibiotics make him feel slightly unwell or strange...in other words, if he doesn't feel like eating, maybe that's why he's not
searching with his tongue? (like when we have a cold & don't feel like eating...?)

Healthy snakes do tend to flick their tongues frequently: their sense of smell is one of their top senses, along with touch. When I evaluate a new snake
for purchase or adoption, that's one of many things I make a point to observe.

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How do I check the tongue sheath? Where is that? What it supposed to look like?

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Originally Posted by hungba

No, the vet said give him food after the course of antibiotics, which ends on June 11th. Why?

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Just one of the times I see snake tongues flicking the most is when they're looking for food. I don't really know too much about it.

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Originally Posted by hungba

How do I check the tongue sheath? Where is that? What it supposed to look like?

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A snake's tongue sheath is that tube of tissue that their tongue slides from & disappears into. You won't see it until they open their mouth, & if you don't know how
to force open a snake's mouth (the way a vet does, without hurting your snake), then don't do it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=tong...HZFSCLYQsAQIOg

In the case of the BP I received that already had such an infection, 2 things made it obvious: first, that his tongue tips were pretty firmly stuck together whenever
he flicked his tongue, & second, on the outside of his throat (just under the lower jaw) I could see a small swelling. It almost made him look as though he had an
"Adam's apple".

By the way, when are you finished with his course of antibiotics? It's possible that all this will clear up after he's had the whole
course...this is why you never want to stop antibiotics early, thinking all is well. That can also result in resistant pathogens.
Your vet comes back June 19th...so hopefully by then all will be back to normal. Even if he doesn't eat while he's taking the
medicine, don't worry too much about it, he won't starve. Just make sure he has clean water to drink at all times, & if he was
my snake, I'd be encouraging* him to drink water every other day too. (*most snakes will drink water if you hold them gently
with their face under the gently running sink faucet, cold water of course.) The reason for this is that many medications are a
bit rough on a snake's body (specifically liver & kidneys)...keeping them hydrated is important. Food isn't a big issue right now,
but water is.