I really need some help

[eckielady]

We have a ball python (We got him a few months ago). We have been fighting a RI and need to pick up more meds today. He is not getting any better. I am basically waiting for him to die and it breaks my heart. He is still wheezing, he has white-cheesy substance all around his mouth, he has lost his teeth and his lower jaw doesn't look right anymore.

Once their lower jaw is malformed is there any hope for them? This is my son's snake and it will break his heart to lose it but I can't stand watching the little critter suffer.

[ballmom]

Have you contacted the breeder or whom ever you got the snake from? maybe they have some advice

[2kdime]

He's got a respiratory Infection and severe mouth rot.

You needed to have gotten a Culture and Sensitivity test when you first took him in for meds the first time.

What medication did you give him at first? You need to use a different one....


Is your vet knowledgeable in herps?

Up his temps to 85 on the cool side and 95 on the warm side

[eckielady]

We got Zylafex (Something like that..it's not near me right now) for the mouth rot but that was a few days AFTER the vet. When we were in there she said he had a little but within 2 days it was really bad. Not sure what happened there. As for the URI we need to get more meds today. I can't remember what it was but it has made no difference. I will talk to her today about trying something different.

Here is my main concern though if he does make it. Will he be able to lead a normal little snake life with his jaw so messed up?

[eckielady]

Forgot to mention that his tank is above our fireplace. It's very warm in there. Also, we got him from a pet store (I know I know) so no help there.

He is in his cage right now with his head up and wheezing bad. Other then that he's been rubbing his head on the cage wall and water bowl. I just worry that we're too late.

[2kdime]

Depends on how bad it is.

I would go to the vet and ask for Baytril, or a different drug than what he gave you before.

YOU MUST ask for a Culture and Sensitivity test to find out what bacteria is causing the RI and mouth rot. Until the results come back, it wouldn't be a bad idea to be using the Baytril to help out.

Once the results come back in, switch medications accordingly or stay on course.

Most times once it clears up, they lead a normal life.

If it's really bad, he may already be on his way down and there may not be anything you can do. You really need to get to the vet ASAP. Him holding his head up and rubbing is a sure sign he's having a hard time breathing.

You say he's above your fireplace? Are you monitoring temperatures and using a thermostat to provide the correct temps on the hot and cool side?

VET NOW

[2kdime]

Here's a couple links to find knowledgeable vets in your area

http://www.arav.org/ECOMARAV/timssne...t_mdsearch.cfm

http://www.herpvetconnection.com/

[kc261]

He's above your fireplace... and it's warm there... do you have fires burning in the fireplace? I would be very concerned that smoke is making the RI worse.

Whether or not you are burning fires in the fireplace, I would strongly suggest getting the snake set up properly (check out the caresheet on this site, or ask for help, but from your limited description, it doesn't sound like proper conditions).

It is also very important to make sure the medicine is working to fight the infections that your snake has. While some medicines are good against most RIs, the only way to be sure is to have a culture taken, find out what bacteria are infecting your snake, and get a medicine that is effective against those specific strains of bacteria. Please get this done right away.

Although I am not a vet, and I don't think even the world's best herp vet could give you a definitive answer based on your limited description, my guess would be that your snake is not so far deformed that he'll have any troubles IF you get the infections cleared up quickly. The lower jaw not looking right may be simply a result of the discomfort the snake is in, causing it to not hold its mouth in the proper position, rather than any permanent deformity.

[eckielady]

Got him to the vet this morning. He has pneumonia. As for the deformed jaw......he's just holding it funny because he has dried gunk all over. She got some of it off but we'll continue to soak him every day or two. I have had many snakes over the last 15 years and am comfortable with his setup. If it was a wood burning fireplace I would NOT put him up there but it's not. There is no smoke or anything, it just stays a nice temp.

I talked to her about the culture and she said they could do it but it wouldn't help much because the infection is way down in his lungs. She said there is no guarantee that the bacteria they find is from his lungs and not from crap on his lip (Outside sources).

We have him on Baytril and we'll see how that goes. If he gets better then we will put him on some wormer just to be careful. She does want a fecal sample but it will be awhile since he hasn't eaten in about 6 weeks. His teeth are still there....I really thought they were missing. I hate messing with his mouth too much though as I'm sure it's very sore. I hadn't wanted to look any harder.

[2kdime]

Hope he makes a full recovery.

If you can monitor the temps though that would really be beneficial in his aid to fight the infection.

With the infection so far down into his lungs, I hope he's able to fight it off.

You COULD ask your vet about using Fortaz as well, it's an antibiotic that's good for a bacteria known as anaerobes which would multiply deep down in the lower oxygenated parts of his lung.