Ball Python Contorting and Threw Up a glob of mucus

[DPlant]

So earlier when I was next to my ball python's cage I saw it come out and start contorting and opening its mouth. There was also a loud farting sound that my ball python made. After that I saw it open its mouth and it started throwing up a glob of white mucus. I checked it for RI but its breathing isn't raspy and it has no excessive amounts of saliva. What do you guys think is happening? Should I go to the vet? Should I boost temperature in the tank (currently 75-80, 85 around hot area)? Any help is appreciated thanks!

[Lord Sorril]

I have not seen that before in my ball pythons--even ones with a respiratory infection. It does sound a lot like something I would expect from an RI.

If you think that the snake may be fine: you can examine the sides of the cage and if there are semi-translucent streaks on the walls this would indicate an excess of mucus being wiped off and a RI.

I don't let any of my ball pythons fall below 80F ambient after my first RI run-in due to a 'reputable' breeder telling me to lower the temps of my collection to 75F in the winter to facilitate breeding in the Spring...

[Gocntry]

Are you sure the "white mucus" isn't a partially regurgitated rodent?

That kinda sounds like the mess mine left when she had a regurge.

[Bogertophis]

Are you sure the "white mucus" isn't a partially regurgitated rodent?

That kinda sounds like the mess mine left when she had a regurge.

I agree...at least without seeing it, I'd say this is a possibility, especially since you say there aren't other signs of an R.I.
Snakes cannot actually cough, but now & then one manages to contort & "hack up a hairball", so whether or not you call it a regurge of undigested material...?

[DPlant]

Are you sure the "white mucus" isn't a partially regurgitated rodent?

That kinda sounds like the mess mine left when she had a regurge.

I checked the mucus after it came out and it was just a circle of bubbles. I didn't see any semi-digested carcass so I dont think its a regugitation.

[DPlant]

I have not seen that before in my ball pythons--even ones with a respiratory infection. It does sound a lot like something I would expect from an RI.

If you think that the snake may be fine: you can examine the sides of the cage and if there are semi-translucent streaks on the walls this would indicate an excess of mucus being wiped off and a RI.

I don't let any of my ball pythons fall below 80F ambient after my first RI run-in due to a 'reputable' breeder telling me to lower the temps of my collection to 75F in the winter to facilitate breeding in the Spring...

I will wipe the glass today and check if there are any new streaks tomorrow. I'll also check the ball python's mouth and its breathing. In the case that it has RI, are there any home remedies, such as boosting temperatures or should I go immediately to the vet?

[Ranulf]

A lot of times, the RI is viral and the antibiotics the vet gives you will do nothing but destroy the bacterial balance in your snake's gut, creating a secondary issue. So be wary of that

[dr del]

The farting sound you mentioned makes me think you may have been looking at the wrong end.