I Think My BP has RI

[agl017]

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)

I do have a heat regulator

[tttaylorrr]

I do have a heat regulator

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

[hilabeans]

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

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!

[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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[zina10]

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..

[agl017]

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.

[tttaylorrr]

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.

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

[agl017]

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

[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.

[agl017]

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.

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.