Sick snake. HELP!

[otiswest]

Hi friends,

One of my young balls is very sick, most likely with a RI. As far as I know, he developed the RI while I was out of town last week, and in the last 48 hrs. seems to have gotten much worse. He's exhibiting all of the classic symptoms of RI. Since we don't have enough vets that can properly treat him where I live, he won't be seen for another day and a half. What can I do, other than raising the temp, to help him out and make sure that he survives long enough to get meds.

I guess I should ask about other peoples' experiences with RI. How quickly can it kill a young snake? As bad as he seems, is his immune system strong enough to fight it off for a week or more? He's not going to have to wait another week to get help, but I have to assume that he's been sick for a week or so.

I'm so worried sick about him. Somebody give me some advice to help him get better and/or make it long enough to get to the doc.

[JLC]

They're pretty hardy snakes. He'll most likely be ok to wait one more day to see a vet. But I would definitely schedule a visit asap.

In the meantime, bump the temps up a few degrees, as you already mentioned...and make his enclosure as dark and secure as possible. Don't mess with him or do anything to add to his stress levels unless it's something essential.

You said "all the classic symptoms" but without detailed descriptions, it's impossible to guess how far along or how bad he really is. I haven't personally had to deal with an RI, so I can't give a personal story....but I wish you all the best with him!

[Elise.m]

Just asking cuz I've never really seen it be asked - How would one transport a sick snake to the vet? In a pillow case?

[otiswest]

Thanks JLC. The "classic symptoms" I referred to are as follows: mucus bubbling at tip of mouth/nose, lots of yawing, mucus visible in his mouth, lots of mucus on the sides of his enclosure, tons of forcefully rubbing his snout on things, popping while breathing, occasional (2-4 times a day that I have witnessed) "sneezing" or coughing ... and of course, he appears to be really stressed. He did not go into either of his hides all day today and was constantly moving to and fro rubbing his face on things.

I'm so stressed out about this right now because this is my first experience with any sort of illness in my snakes, so I just can't tell how far along the sickness is. I made an appt with a vet I don't know and has not seen my BPs before just to get him to a doc ASAP.

If anyone reads this thread and has had experience with this before, please give your input on how far along or serious this sounds to you. I might be able to relax a bit if I know that George will make it to his vet appt Fri. morning.

[Dixie Serpent Den]

We have had to deal it RI's and my vet is on speed dail. Do you have belly heat or back? If you can get it on belly heat that would be best. Get it to the vet asap and get it on meds.

We had one get a RI when we first started breeding two years ago. We had back heat on our racks. So, we got a tank and put a heating pad under it and got the temps in the lower 90's. We had a dark sheet we put over it to make is dark for the snake and help with stress. I took it to the vet, got the pills and made sure not to miss one dose.
Now we have a racks that have belly heat to prevent that from happening again. Just to be save be sure its not around no other snake if you have more. It can spread and will.
I hope this helps and I wish you luck.....

[Dixie Serpent Den]

From what you are saying it's sounds pretty bad. There are 2 kinds of meds they give, a shot and pill. If this vet doesn't know snakes he may not do the shot, which yours may need. The meds to give him is Baytril, it helps with most RI's. Ask the vet for it and if they will do the shot ask them to give it then and you can start the pills at home.

[Dixie Serpent Den]

Just asking cuz I've never really seen it be asked - How would one transport a sick snake to the vet? In a pillow case?

I took mine in a pillow case

[otiswest]

He has had belly heat and infrared from above on warm side since I set up his home. The temp on his warm side (digital temp gauge just under substrate, not directly above UTH) very rarely gets above 90. There's a UTH and a 100watt infrared bulb above, so I don't understand why it's staying so cool on that side. I have spent the last three hours NON-STOP searching this forum for help, so I know now that his enclosure isn't staying warm enough consistently enough, and that is probably why he has gotten sick.

There is another snake in a separate enclosure about 4 feet away. Can she become infected if they never come in contact with each other while he is sick?

[Dixie Serpent Den]

I just know that I was told to put mine in another room away from my other snakes for safety and to be sure they don't get it.

[justind]

If you can separate the snakes it would be a good idea, but it is unlikely your other snake will become sick from the respiratory infection of another snake. Most respiratory infections are caused by opportunistic bacteria that are present in healthy snakes. The bacteria don't harm the snake until the snake's defenses are weakened due to poor husbandry or stress.

Here is a episode of reptile radio where Dr. Scott Stahl talks about this and some other stuff, it's pretty sweet.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptile...ile-Veterinary