BP and Weird Noises

Hey,
Lately my ball python has been opening his mouse a little bit, looking upwards, and making a weird noise. I talked to someone else, and he said theres a good chance that he could have an upper respitory infection. I went and got a new bulb to keep him warm enough. Does anybody else know what this could be? or have any ideas on treatment?

sounds like URI to me too. take him to the vet to get checked out.

Alright...I will get him to the vet ASAP. It looks as if he's enjoying the new bulb :)

I'll second that. Find a good vet asap. http://www.arav.org/USMembers.htm

Have you tried to examine the mouth?

Here's a link to the caresheet. I really recommend you get those temps in the right ranges. In fact you may want to up the temps just a bit. 85 cool side and 95 warm side. You will need antibiotics to combat a RI, which will require a vet visit. Let us know how the vet trip goes.

I'm going to go talk to my mom about getting him to the vet. is it bad to hold him during this time?

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Originally Posted by EvilFourZero

I'm going to go talk to my mom about getting him to the vet. is it bad to hold him during this time?

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I bet its upper resp also.Yes try not to handle him only whats needed as this will stress him also.Keep us posted

Alright well it turns out that there are no vets that will treat my baby near by. So in 30 mins I'm calling a specialist, talking to him, see what he needs me to do. Then I'm going to drive up there so he can treat my baby. (Dr. Servantez, exotics specialist.). I will keep you guys posted.

Moving this up here. :colbert2:

When the snake opens his mouth, do you see bubbles or lots of salvia, maybe clear or maybe opaque (think like human snot)?

Nope I can't see anything out of the ordinary. The only thing really, is the popping noises, him putting his head into the air for long periods of time, and his mouth open alot.

Also: I'm waiting for the exotic specialist to call me back.

Welp, to my inexperienced ears, definitely sounds like something to have a vet check out. Let us know how it goes...

Deffinantely will do.

Alright, I have a scheduled appointment with Dr Servantez tomorrow night at 5:00. I'll post again after that to let you guys know how everything goes.

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Originally Posted by EvilFourZero

Alright, I have a scheduled appointment with Dr Servantez tomorrow night at 5:00. I'll post again after that to let you guys know how everything goes.

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Great news :) .For now you can bump up his heat some it might help some.

Something happened with the vet so now I'm re scheduled for friday night. But he seems a bit better..I bumped up the heat, hes not "coughing" HALF as much as he was..But Im still taking him to the vet friday. I'm also going to post some pictures so you guys can see what he looks like.. :)

Good luck!!! URI's are nothing to play around with or let g.!

K here are some pictures. Colorinng is a little off, but I think it's because of the light.


http://evilfourzero.com/personal/snake/1.jpg
http://evilfourzero.com/personal/snake/2.jpg

Maybe it's just the picture color, but is your snake in blue, getting ready to shed?

Starting to turn greyish blue, yes.

I've heard *please any one correct me if i'm wrong* that sometimes when they turn blue, they make popping noises which go away after they shed, but I'd still get a vet to check him out just incase.

I haven't personally heard popping when in shed, but then I don't handle them very much when in shed. The mouth opening is what concerns me, in addition to the other symptoms. I'd definitely be going to a vet myself if I had the same experience. I'd rather be conservative until I gained more experience with different situations.

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Originally Posted by lillyorchid

I've heard *please any one correct me if i'm wrong* that sometimes when they turn blue, they make popping noises which go away after they shed, but I'd still get a vet to check him out just incase.

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This happened to me with my first shed that I had with autumn. Took her to the vet and he told me it was related to the shed. Something to do with loose skin around the nose area. The symptons went away after the shed but I would still take her to make sure, we can stipulate but the vet will know for sure.

Its really not the popping sounds that concern be, because I HAVE heard it when he has shed other times. Its the hard "coughing" and holding his mouth open that concerns me. I went and got a nice night bulb for him yesterday, so now he should be nice and warn all the time, and then the vet is tomorrow night. I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes.

It definitely doesn't sound right - if it was just shed they wouldn't keep their heads up in the air either. Good that he's going to the vet :)

A bit off-topic (well, not really) but is that sand substrate in his viv? He shouldn't really be on sand it's not good for them. Reptibark, aspen, or simple paper is best for them.

Alright guys, just got back from the vet. I took a sample of the bedding, and the vet asked if thats what he is on, I said yes and he didn't say anything after that. Then, he looked down his throat--didn't see anything. So then he listened to his breathing with one of those doctor heart listening things:P Then he said "alright its a mild case of URI." Now I have to give him a shot every 3 days, for ten injections, then he should be fine. Thank god!

Good thing you got him to the vet. Make sure to finish all the meds! :gj: