Confusion on RI Treatment

[nbelval]

Okay, I realize it's a URI, I AM taking him to the vet in the morning, or calling so I can hopefully get into the vet asap. I just wanted to know if in the mean time besides increasing his heat, which I've already done, should I decrease the humidity or decrease it to help him further.
The person that told me to increase humidity had experience with RI's in Blood's, the person that told me to decrease had experience with corns and boas. So I was unsure what the protocol for ball's was and I'm still getting conflicting info, LOL!

I guess the general consensus is to decrease the humidity for ball's, and just do what I've been doing until I get him into the vet tomorrow. Even though it "may" clear up on it's own without antibiotics, I'm going to have him checked out since he went through such an awful ordeal. He may have a heavier than normal parasite load because of all the stress so a checkup certainly won't hurt.

Thanks for the advice and if anyone can offer more input on the dry heat vs. moist heat, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

[West Coast Jungle]

First and foremost get his heat up to the low 90's. Have the vet run a culture to find out what bacteria is causing the RI so he can prescribe the proper medication. Different bacteria react to different meds. Without this you could be wasting valuble time with the wrong medication. This should be done ASAP. As mentioned snakes only have one primitive lung and can drown from too much congestion as they cant cough it up like we do. IMO 20 degrees is very cold to ship a BP. As far as humidity I say just keep it a normal 50%. Heat is the biggest help.

Best of luck

[j_h_smith]

first and foremost get his heat up to the low 90's. Have the vet run a culture to find out what bacteria is causing the ri so he can prescribe the proper medication. Different bacteria react to different meds. Without this you could be wasting valuble time with the wrong medication. This should be done asap. As mentioned snakes only have one primitive lung and can drown from too much congestion as they cant cough it up like we do. Imo 20 degrees is very cold to ship a bp. As far as humidity i say just keep it a normal 50%. Heat is the biggest help.

Best of luck

x2

[nbelval]

Update:

So vet gave antibiotics and fluids, we will be repeating every 3 days. Also did a fecal since "Vader" gave us a present at the right time. No added moisture at the moment. He did say both approaches have benefits. Dry helps, but moist does too, it depends on the case and species of snake.
He was appalled that anyone would ship this time of year. He also mentioned that the male I bought and needed so desperately to breed for me (Like now - which isn't happening), looks like a female. So when we go back on Thursday he will probe to double check.
So wishing I could take this purchase back!

[JD Constriction]

x3

First and foremost get his heat up to the low 90's. Have the vet run a culture to find out what bacteria is causing the RI so he can prescribe the proper medication. Different bacteria react to different meds. Without this you could be wasting valuble time with the wrong medication. This should be done ASAP. As mentioned snakes only have one primitive lung and can drown from too much congestion as they cant cough it up like we do. IMO 20 degrees is very cold to ship a BP. As far as humidity I say just keep it a normal 50%. Heat is the biggest help.

Best of luck

[ClemonsKimberly]

He then says, Oh, I hope they are okay, they've been by the door all morning. So every time he made a drop off on his way to me they were blasted with our 20 degree NH air.

Who on earth shipped to you when it was below freezing?? Just wondeing...

[rabernet]

increasing the humidity will help drown the snake! decrease humidity, increase temp, hold off on vet!

i have never given meds to my animals for URI. never lost an animal to uri. all i do is increase temp and remove their water dish. keep their tub/cage clean and dry, and watch the animal closely for a few days. if your ball was blowing bubbles breathing with its mouth open, not eating then maybe a vet.

Increasing humidity helps to break up dried mucus:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ction+humidity

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ction+humidity

You may also want to listen to this episode of Reptile Radio - in which the leading vet in the country, Scott Stahl discusses the most CURRENT methods of treating RI's.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptile...ile-veterinary

[TJ'sHerps]

increasing the humidity will help drown the snake! decrease humidity, increase temp, hold off on vet!

i have never given meds to my animals for URI. never lost an animal to uri. all i do is increase temp and remove their water dish. keep their tub/cage clean and dry, and watch the animal closely for a few days. if your ball was blowing bubbles breathing with its mouth open, not eating then maybe a vet.

I would never suggest that anyone hold off from a vet in the case of something as serious as an RI.