Snake Drool??? Is he sick???

Ok this is wierd! I really can't figure out why a snake would drool. I was holding Ceasar today (my Het Albino, not sure if that matters) and I looked down to see a big line of drool going down my arm. I saw the last drop leave his mouth so I know it was drool. What does this behavior symbolize? Is he sick? Is something wrong with my baby boy? Or is he just a little drooler.

(I instantly put him back!)

Thanks,

that is the tell tell sign of a bad RI. you need to get to a vet as soon as possiable.

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Originally Posted by Kilo

Ok this is wierd! I really can't figure out why a snake would drool. I was holding Ceasar today (my Het Albino, not sure if that matters) and I looked down to see a big line of drool going down my arm. I saw the last drop leave his mouth so I know it was drool. What does this behavior symbolize? Is he sick? Is something wrong with my baby boy? Or is he just a little drooler.

(I instantly put him back!)

Thanks,

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Kilo,are you 100% sure his heat is in the correct levels? From my experiance yes your snake is sick :( .There is no other reason he would have slime running out of his mouth.Please make a vet op as soon as possible.Check your heat levels and do not mist his enclosure for any reason.You can also bump his heat up some to help him until he gets to the vet.Do not fry him,just raise up to 95 area.

I'd get him to a vet ASAP.

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Originally Posted by BALLISTIC BOAS

that is the tell tell sign of a bad RI. you need to get to a vet as soon as possiable.

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That doesn't make any since what so ever? Since his move from Lousiana (Bailey and Baily's) he has been in a tub with temps that never fall below 82.... and a hot side that never falls below 88. I hold him once a day and he has never opened his mouth to breath. He has never coughed at all. It just doesn't make since... I did everything I was suppose to!

Take him anyways! What were the humidity levels?

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Originally Posted by Kilo

That doesn't make any since what so ever? Since his move from Lousiana (Bailey and Baily's) he has been in a tub with temps that never fall below 82.... and a hot side that never falls below 88. I hold him once a day and he has never opened his mouth to breath. He has never coughed at all. It just doesn't make since... I did everything I was suppose to!

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Kilo,something is wrong with whatever you are using to check your temps then.How are you reading these temps?Snakes do not "cough" when they are sick.

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Originally Posted by bpkid

Take him anyways! What were the humidity levels?

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ALWAYS been 53-64% (doesn't stay above 60% for long).

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Originally Posted by joepythons

Kilo,something is wrong with whatever you are using to check your temps then.How are you reading these temps?Snakes do not "cough" when they are sick.

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I'm using an acu-rite!!! And my snake Kole coughed 3 times before I took him to the vet. Opened his mouth and proceed to cough exactly like a human. (The coughs were not consecutive).

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Originally Posted by Kilo

That doesn't make any since what so ever? Since his move from Lousiana (Bailey and Baily's) he has been in a tub with temps that never fall below 82.... and a hot side that never falls below 88. I hold him once a day and he has never opened his mouth to breath. He has never coughed at all. It just doesn't make since... I did everything I was suppose to!

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Snakes don't cough or sneeze. I think if I were you, I'd take the advice and get him to a good reptile vet.

Didn't you have an RI with your first BP? I don't know if that has anything to do with it, I know you had it treated, but are they in the same room? Did you sterilize everything that was associated with the first snake?

If nothing else, go to the vet to rule OUT a RI.

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Originally Posted by Kilo

I'm using an acu-rite!!! And my snake Kole coughed 3 times before I took him to the vet. Opened his mouth and proceed to cough exactly like a human. (The coughs were not consecutive).

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Something is not working correctly then.This is now your second snake to get sick,something is not keeping the temps in the correct levels.Your snake is doing a sort of "gag hack" not coughing as they do not have a diaphram(spelling).

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Snakes don't cough or sneeze. I think if I were you, I'd take the advice and get him to a good reptile vet.

Didn't you have an RI with your first BP? I don't know if that has anything to do with it, I know you had it treated, but are they in the same room? Did you sterilize everything that was associated with the first snake?

If nothing else, go to the vet to rule OUT a RI.

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my first bp came with an RI... wehn then bought a second bp (Kole) and house them for 4 days before I learned never to do that. So both of them went to the vet and got medication (shots). She both recovered very nicely! I did not sterilize anything in Kole's tank. The first bp (Kilo) was at my sisters so I have no clue what they did over there. After he recovered (Kole that is) I him into a tub. Right before he recovered (about1 1/2 shots into the process for a total of 3 every 3 days) I recieved Ceasar in which was put directly into a tub to settle for a week. Is it possible that Ceasar caught it from Kole (in which they never came in contact with each other) ... they are housed in the same room. Ceasar is definitely going to the vet...

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Originally Posted by joepythons

Something is not working correctly then.This is now your second snake to get sick,something is not keeping the temps in the correct levels.Your snake is doing a sort of "gag hack" not coughing as they do not have a diaphram(spelling).

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Yes that is was he did "gag/hack". Which Ceasar shows no signs of an RI at all (aside from the drooling). I also have my big girl Riley in the same room... and Champ the rat snake!... What can I do to clean this RI CRAP up and prevent this crap form happening again...

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Originally Posted by Kilo

Yes that is was he did "gag/hack". Which Ceasar shows no signs of an RI at all (aside from the drooling). I also have my big girl Riley in the same room... and Champ the rat snake!... What can I do to clean this RI CRAP up and prevent this crap form happening again...

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One word STERILIZE the crap out of everything in his enclosure.This includes every corner and all.Use a bleach(small amount) in some hot water(as hot as you can take).Then rinse with warm water completly and let air dry.If you smell bleach rinse out again.Still get him to the vet.

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Originally Posted by joepythons

One word STERILIZE the crap out of everything in his enclosure.This includes every corner and all.Use a bleach(small amount) in some hot water(as hot as you can take).Then rinse with warm water completly and let air dry.If you smell bleach rinse out again.Still get him to the vet.

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should I do it before I get him to the vet? Will he just re-infect everything again? What should I do with my other 3 snakes? Oh he is going to the vet. But I want to prevent any of my other snakes from getting the RI. And I can't put one in each room... what should I do?

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Originally Posted by Kilo

should I do it before I get him to the vet? Will he just re-infect everything again? What should I do with my other 3 snakes? Oh he is going to the vet. But I want to prevent any of my other snakes from getting the RI. And I can't put one in each room... what should I do?

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When you take him to the vet see if someone could start sterilizing his enclosure.It should be done as soon as you leave home so it will be ready for him when you get back.Meanwhile you need to check everything and find out whats not working properly.Please do not let his hot side drop below 92.Keep us posted

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Originally Posted by joepythons

diaphram(spelling).

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*diaphragm :P

There's something about me and spelling errors that makes me just have to correct them...

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Originally Posted by JasonGranger

*diaphragm :P

There's something about me and spelling errors that makes me just have to correct them...

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Thanks:) .Sometimes i get to writing things and my brain forgets some words lol.

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Originally Posted by joepythons

When you take him to the vet see if someone could start sterilizing his enclosure.It should be done as soon as you leave home so it will be ready for him when you get back.Meanwhile you need to check everything and find out whats not working properly.Please do not let his hot side drop below 92.Keep us posted

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I will definitely do that... but what about my other snakes? are they in danger...? The best I could do it replace the battery on the acu-rite. I'm currently lowering my CC so that I can purchase my rack and t-stat. I'm going to side with everyone else now. A dimmer and a UTH are a crap combo!

Dude, I'm really sorry to hear that.. My first BP died of RI cause my temps were wrong, and it was from Petco. It sounds like somehow your guy had it transferred to him, if your temps are really right, then I would like to know what caused it. Please keep us posted. I'm pullin for you and Ceasar!

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Originally Posted by Kilo

I will definitely do that... but what about my other snakes? are they in danger...? The best I could do it replace the battery on the acu-rite. I'm currently lowering my CC so that I can purchase my rack and t-stat. I'm going to side with everyone else now. A dimmer and a UTH are a crap combo!

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I can not remember if URI is able to be transfered to other snakes or not.What i use is some hand sanitizer after each snake or enclosure i touch.This way i feel confident that if someone has something it does not get transfered to the rest.I buy the hand sanitizer at Walmart in the economy size.As far as your other snakes it never hurts to clean there enclosures to make sure;) .

Also it would probably be a good idea to work with the healthy ones first, then the sick one, so you are less likely to transfer anything.

UPDATE: Ceasar visited the vet today! We started with wieghing him... het weighed in a 135 grams. then we took some x-rays to take a look at his lungs. Well he had a very small RI forming! He was given a shot right there on the spot and I have to give him one more in 3 days! (10/15) So he should be just fine... I'm still stumped as to what caused it... but thanks to everyone who took the time to read my OP and reply with advice and comments!

I dunno what You guys are talking about, my snake had RI before, i treated him myself with raised humidity and raised temp.... its not rocket science, paying for a vet is wasting your money in that case....

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Originally Posted by LaZyLuke

I dunno what You guys are talking about, my snake had RI before, i treated him myself with raised humidity and raised temp.... its not rocket science, paying for a vet is wasting your money in that case....

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I am so sorry but on this one I have got to reply........ I am a proud owner of three wonderful snakes, but if one were to get sick, with whatever RI is,.. I would definately be heading to the doctors immediately. I am not able to handle a sickness in a snake that I have no clue what to do.... .I would also do the exact same if my five year old son were to get sick with something other then the common cold or flu... that is precationary and only expected..... Now on a good note- - - thank goodness that you are able to take care of your snakes vet needs when others of us have no clue what the sicknesses are or even what the symptoms are.

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Originally Posted by LaZyLuke

I dunno what You guys are talking about, my snake had RI before, i treated him myself with raised humidity and raised temp.... its not rocket science, paying for a vet is wasting your money in that case....

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Well since you have revived a thread that's almost 3 yrs old..... first off :welcome:. secondly I don't know how much experience you have with snakes, or how familiar you are the anatomy of a snake.
Respiratory infections are something to be taken very serious with these animals, I congratulate you on healing your animal of it's RI. unfortunately most RI's require a treatment of antibiotics.

IMHO a $45-50 trip to the vet is a small price to pay for the well being of a pet

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Originally Posted by LaZyLuke

I dunno what You guys are talking about, my snake had RI before, i treated him myself with raised humidity and raised temp.... its not rocket science, paying for a vet is wasting your money in that case....

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There is nothing about providing the BEST care possible for your snakes that is wasting your money on.

llovelace- Thank You :].

Maybe its the part that when I was sick on common sickness when I was little, usually I took Tylenol(or some other painkiller) and stayed in bed.... If You study the "modern medicine" very carefully you will see that statistics show that antibiotics are VERY OVER PRESCRIBED to people (why? cuz the doctors doesn't give a crap about Your digestive system - makes his job quicker!), any organism have his own Immune system that can handle infections and viruses at moderate stage.

My snake is not a python - its a Salomon island tree boa, my knowledge about anatomy of this animals and its immune system is limited (as I do not have a degree in that case, I usually ask people with years of experience since they have the hands on knowledge about the topic, and that what the person said - rase the temp, and humidity if that doesn't help then head to the vet since it might be serious)... and to mention that when I bough my snake he was starved for several weeks (since he is wild cought and all he eats its geckos), had lice and was really sick (RI).... I bough him (or rather rescued the guy) on one of the reptile expos in Hamilton from a "professional breeder" - he never visited a vet, and he is very healthy now, beside that one episode of drool, which I'm currently looking after.

I found this post because last night when i picked my snake up he drooled on my hand (he is not coughing or has any problems with breathing, but I have fed him a day before that, so that was probably the reason - as i researched further I found out that sometimes this may occur)..

I had many different animals before and I never went to the vet right away and in 80% of the cases the info from the breeder or a pet store clerk (not a part time high school kid, but a person that own these type of animals for years- its very good to make friends among people like that) was enough. No animal ever died of sickness or was permanently damaged during my career so I can say I'm successful in my practices.

Sorry for the long reply, I had to cover few things here....Cheers

Hi,

I have never kept those - but I do know my ball pythons, corns or house snakes have never drooled on me because they had eaten the day before. :confused:

This may be because I don't handle them for 48 hours after eating but I have heard of them spilling water back out if they had been drinking right before you picked them up.

But the other possibility is you had an RI which you didn't treat but did manage to supress the symptoms without getting rid of the underlying cause.

So any weakening of the immune system or change in the environment can lead to an apparently new bout of infection.

I am glad your guy didn't have any problems with parasites or anything though - those are the main thing I would worry about with a wild caught animal.


dr del

I work at the Kansas Hospital Association. I have met almost every CEO of every hospital in Kansas. Yes, accidents do happen. However, I can promise you they work VERY hard to prevent them. Miracles also happen, sometimes in leaps and bounds.

My mom was sick awhile back, and she thinks the same as you. Doctors aren't necessary. However, when her infected appendix started to seep, the pain was too great. My mother could have died, and it could have been avoided if she had went to the doctor sooner.

The reason doctors and vets charge so much is becuase medical school is expensive. They are professionals and non other should diagnose any person or animals. When you get into a field so massive, accidents appear to be bigger too. So, before you go insulting my friends, maybe you should do a little research.

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Originally Posted by LaZyLuke

and to mention that when I bough my snake he was starved for several weeks (since he is wild cought and all he eats its geckos), had lice and was really sick (RI).... I bough him (or rather rescued the guy) on one of the reptile expos in Hamilton from a "professional breeder" - he never visited a vet, and he is very healthy now, beside that one episode of drool, which I'm currently looking after.

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I am just curious how you got rid of the lice? Primarily since lice are a mammalian parasite. I highly doubt your snake had lice, maybe mites. In that case, mites are not endemic to the Salomon Islands, so I would say that your "professional breeder", is not very professional, since my bet would be that your snake got mice from his facility.

Lastly, it is evident from your last post, that you do not have very much experience, so if I were you, I would refrain from handing out treatment advice until I got a little more personal experience.

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Originally Posted by Kilo

Ok this is wierd! I really can't figure out why a snake would drool. I was holding Ceasar today (my Het Albino, not sure if that matters) and I looked down to see a big line of drool going down my arm. I saw the last drop leave his mouth so I know it was drool. What does this behavior symbolize? Is he sick? Is something wrong with my baby boy? Or is he just a little drooler.

(I instantly put him back!)

Thanks,

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you said you were holding him ?

snakes have a tendacy to basically spit up water they have just drank if they are held shortly after drinking .
i have never seen an actuall drooling snake so im going to lean twords the fact that he was drinking water shortly before you picked him up .

and when you picked him up since they dont have a way to hold the water down , he got worked up by being picked up and the water (WHICH WOULD RESEMBLE DROOL ) started to come back up and out his mouth ..

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

I work at the Kansas Hospital Association. I have met almost every CEO of every hospital in Kansas. Yes, accidents do happen. However, I can promise you they work VERY hard to prevent them. Miracles also happen, sometimes in leaps and bounds.

My mom was sick awhile back, and she thinks the same as you. Doctors aren't necessary. However, when her infected appendix started to seep, the pain was too great. My mother could have died, and it could have been avoided if she had went to the doctor sooner.

The reason doctors and vets charge so much is becuase medical school is expensive. They are professionals and non other should diagnose any person or animals. When you get into a field so massive, accidents appear to be bigger too. So, before you go insulting my friends, maybe you should do a little research.

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Are You seriously compering appendix to flue? Is there something wrong with me when i think there is a slight difference between them?

muddoc- yes I meant mites, the "professional breeder" was in quotes for a reason. It was sarcasm I was using, the snake I bought was starved for several weeks since they did not switched him to mice, and had mites and had a RI.... I treated everything myself, Mites- powder and spray on detergent that killed all of the mites, cold- raised temp and humidity, feeding is still tricky since he has to smell a gecko to eat (lucky enough he eats off my hand so I grab gecko+mouse and when he smells gecko he opens his mouth and i twist my arm so he will grab the mouse)....

TheVipersHouse- no I can distinguish drool from water, slight texture difference, and It wasn't water(I like how You guys assume my IQ being below 80), I'm still looking after him now- he ate 2 days ago so he shouldn't be sick but i raised temperature and bump up humidity quite a bit just in case....

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Originally Posted by LaZyLuke

TheVipersHouse- no I can distinguish drool from water, slight texture difference, and It wasn't water(I like how You guys assume my IQ being below 80), I'm still looking after him now- he ate 2 days ago so he shouldn't be sick but i raised temperature and bump up humidity quite a bit just in case....

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well considering i wasnt speaking to you in fact my post was for the OP , so i will say that yes your IQ is below 80 , because if you read my original post and look at the name in the quote you would have known it wasnt for you , so yes again i will say i think your IQ is below 80 because apparently your not very good at reading ..

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Originally Posted by TheVipersHouse

you said you were holding him ?

snakes have a tendacy to basically spit up water they have just drank if they are held shortly after drinking .
i have never seen an actuall drooling snake so im going to lean twords the fact that he was drinking water shortly before you picked him up .

and when you picked him up since they dont have a way to hold the water down , he got worked up by being picked up and the water (WHICH WOULD RESEMBLE DROOL ) started to come back up and out his mouth ..

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This is what happened with my normal about a year ago. I picked him up after a little drink, or so I discovered later, and he lowered his head below body level and some drool came out. Needless to say, I freaked and took him to the vet the next morning. After a careful examination, he was determined to be fit and healthy. I brought him home and kept a watchful eye on him. Nothing ever came of it.

However, I think its good that you are playing it safe and getting your guy on some medication.

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Originally Posted by TheVipersHouse

well considering i wasn't speaking to you in fact my post was for the OP , so i will say that yes your IQ is below 80 , because if you read my original post and look at the name in the quote you would have known it wasn't for you , so yes again i will say i think your IQ is below 80 because apparently your not very good at reading ..

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Oh my bad sir, someone mentioned that thread was over 3 years old so I did not think that someone will be dumb enough to answer the original post, again my apologies sir.

only reason i posted on the OP's post is because what i was reading can only be added to and his situation looked to be a similar from the water example. and for someone that needs help like this in the future can refference the post and since no one else brought to light the condition of snakes spitting water back out after being picked up right after getting a drink i figured it should be added so future refferences can see all aspects and determine what they need to do next ..

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Originally Posted by TheVipersHouse

only reason i posted on the OP's post is because what i was reading can only be added to and his situation looked to be a similar from the water example. and for someone that needs help like this in the future can refference the post and since no one else brought to light the condition of snakes spitting water back out after being picked up right after getting a drink i figured it should be added so future refferences can see all aspects and determine what they need to do next ..

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:] - that is all....

my snake is doing the same thing!!! i was just holding him having fun and them BAM tons and tons of drool on my pants. i SAW it come out of his mouth, i smelled it, and it didnt smell at all, so this is weird and im scared for my little kiko!!! i am going to the vet soon!!!

i vote RI no matter how perfect your temps and humidity are it can still get an RI

this is a thread from 2006 what the heck?

Yeah, this is a really really old thread, but for the person that just posted about the 'drooling,' I thought I'd respond. It could be an RI. I would look for open mouth breathing, feel for wheezing in the chest when you're holding them, and watch for continued thick discharge.

But it could be something else. If they just took a really big drink not too long before handling, sometimes the handling makes some if the water come back up. It doesn't happen often, but it can. I had this happen with one of my bloods a few years ago and was really concerned and went to the vet and cultured her and everything, but she was completely fine. She never showed any other symptoms, just one episode of the same kind of thing. They are big drinkers - I should have realized. :8: