escapee found with possible r.i. ?s

[Kryptonian]

A little over a week ago my bp exotica pulled a houdini. Her cage was closed with clips still on the lid but she was gone. I can only think she made the ultimate squeze out.
Anyhow she just made an appearance crawling out of the insulation in out basement near the ceiling. Its cold here so I'm sure she has been chilled. She may have the begginings of an ri. She weazes slightly, and has the occasional click or pop. No mucous no open mouth breathing no bubbles,no gazing.
Shes a little dehydrated.
My question is do you think with special care at home with an up in temps and humidity and some extra feeding she could get better or should she see a vet immidiately? If I can attempt to make her better at home how long should I wait for syntoms to improve before I know she must get antibiotics?

For now im putting her in a bin with water and extra humidity and heat and will offer her food tommorow after she has had a chance to rest.

[mpkeelee]

RI's suck!! if i were u i would go to the vet and get a culture done to make sure. if its taken care of soon it will be easier to get rid of than waiting and less of a risk to ur snake. if u do decide to wait (u shouldnt) once u see mucus in the mouth and go to the vet. bump up ur humidity and raise temps a few degrees. soaking helps break up the mucus so soak for about 30 minutes everyday in warm water.

[JD Constriction]

To quote a ball keeping DVM:
If it's the beginning stages then you can try to treat it with heat therapy, 90 degree cold side, 95 degree hot side. Humidity is a good thing but it must be a 100% DRY cage. If the substrate is wet at all replace with dry immediately. Wet + Cold = RI

I've heard of full blown cases curing themselves with just heat therapy (in the high 90s constantly) and a dry cage, but I would go the vet route at that stage if it was me.

A vet trip is never a bad idea though. Ask beforehand what their process is for diagnosis and medication, if they suggest orally injected baytril then you are probably better off with a different vet. There are much better means of treating an RI.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

[BallsUnlimited]

bring to the vet get a culture done and put him on the correct meds. Keep his temps up and leave him be. Your gonna want to keep him hydrated well while hes on meds so a 80-85 degree bath for 10-15 mins will take care of that. Make sure you do it everyday through out the treatment. I just had to do this myself and all worked out very well.

[Kryptonian]

Since her syntoms were mild I decided to give her a week before diciding to go to the vet. Its winter here so with her immune system needing to work harder I wasnt keen on stressing her out and risking a chill for a vet trip unless neccasary.
Within a couple days of heat and humid therapy her syntoms disapeered and have been gone since. If they return she will go in but I think shes in the clear. I am keeping the temps and himidity up for a while in case.