RI - Puffy cheeks

[Rickys_Reptiles]

I have a female pastel who is roughly 13 years old. Last year she was near another snake that had a RI. At that time I separated the 2 snakes and treated the snake that was ill. This female has been alone for roughly 6 months or so. She has been eating regularly for the past few months without any issues. She doesn't have any bubbles or make any kind of wheezing sounds.

Yesterday I went to check on her and noticed a small (maybe 1/4" long) "string" of thicker spit, possibly clear mucus, that went from her cheek/lip and stuck to her body (her head was resting on her body). Her lips do not align when her mouth is shut; it almost looks like her upper lips/cheeks are slightly puffier. I have seen this with snakes before they shed, and when they have a RI. She just shed recently, so I know she isn't going to shed again.

Am I just being over cautious? Do puffy cheeks and a bit of spit leave me reason for concern?

She has been living in my quarantine room for the past few months. I recently put her back into the snake room and realized the thermostat was messed up. So, for the past week her tub has been only around 82 degrees. She doesn't have a hot spot. Her quarantine tub is 85-86 degrees throughout. The thermostat in the snake room is now fixed, and the internal tub temp in the room is now 85-86.

I’m nervous now, about putting her back into the snake room.

[bcr229]

No harm in putting her back into QT while you keep an eye on her. It could be nothing, and if it is the very beginning of an RI then observing her for a day or so before making a vet appointment won't change anything.

When I had to take mine to the vet for an RI the vet said that the germs that cause it are present much of the time, like cold/flu/MRSA/etc. for people, and when the snake gets stressed or its immune system is compromised then it can flare up.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

No harm in putting her back into QT while you keep an eye on her. It could be nothing, and if it is the very beginning of an RI then observing her for a day or so before making a vet appointment won't change anything.

When I had to take mine to the vet for an RI the vet said that the germs that cause it are present much of the time, like cold/flu/MRSA/etc. for people, and when the snake gets stressed or its immune system is compromised then it can flare up.

Yeah, I checked on her last night and again this morning. I don't see any bubbles still, and no more signs of any thicker spit. Her lips still don't touch when her mouth is closed though. I wonder if thats maybe just a form of her showing her age? I've never really noticed before.