I just noticed my BP, Schemer, ticking this evening. Funny thing was that I took a sick day from school today. I checked out his mouth and he seems to have some bubbles (but not mucous) in there. I called my vet up and it indeed sounds like RI. He's been hogging heat on his hotspot since his last shed on the 19th, but I decided to observe for more symptoms before I started to worry. I thought it was nothing at the time. I'm scheduling an appointment for RI medication; the doctor mentioned shots. Here's the vet: http://www.southviewanimalhospital.c...tes/Clean.aspx

The owner, Dr. Foster, has a great rep as a reptile specialist there, it seems. Hopefully I can get in with him. The appointment is $54 and shots are $15-20.

I mentioned that case of scale rot he had on one scale, and he said it's common for one problem to lead to others. He also said I did the right thing( read more here: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...74#post1689674 ) Coincidentally, that case of scale rot is starting to fade. From what he told me, my health problems are humidity related - it's been too low. Ever since I switched to my 30 gal and started using paper towels, my humidity has averaged at 40%. I decided to opt for a larger water dish, but to no avail. I'm now covering 2/3 of my screen with tin foil, keeping the center open for ventilation and placement of my ceramic heat emitter - I need to keep the ambient temps and humidity up.

Temps have always been correct, but I've had trouble with humidity. His hotspot is normally at 88-90 but I've upped it to 93-94 for the duration of his RI. Ambient is around 84-85 & the cool end is 78-80.

I just hope he gets through this. He eats regularly, defecates and urinates regularly, and even sheds normally. It's hard to imagine he had something wrong with him. Has anyone else had terrible luck with husbandry and health issues on their first snake?