Newb w/ a question

[singingtothewheat]

Well a couple days at the vet couldn't probably hurt but I don't think most vets would keep them. Something is up for sure. But I would tell them you want to know before expensive treatments are done. I guess it depends on your situation.

[The Rev]

Some times the nares may be covered up with stuck shed, Thus forcing the snake to breath out of its mouth making a weezing/coughing sound.

[dr del]

Hi,

So what makes you think it is ill?

And how much experience does this vet have with exotics?

Just trying to work out what sysmptoms it has to see if anything jumps out.


dr del

[Big Thunder]

Dr Del - as I stated the excessive saliva and the coughing noise were first indicators. After my visit to the vet, I learned that when she holds her head vertical and keeps her mouth open that she may be in some sort of gastronomical distress. I'm not sure if that action is considered star gazing or not, but she does it very often.

As for the vet - over 20 years of exotic experience. I found the vet while reading articles by Melissa Kaplan, who specifically recommended her.

[dr del]

Ah.

I'd think about seeking a second opinion.

Melissa Kaplan is an idiot.

Those symptoms are classic symptoms for an RI but I have never heard of them being associated with GI problems? The raised head and open mouthed breathing are known signs of an RI as well. Are there also traces of excess mucus in the waterbowl or smeared on the cage furniture? Can you hear any sounds when the snake breathes (move your ear from her head to the front third of her body to try and determine where they are coming from )?

Anyone every hear of a GI problem that did present with those symptoms?

I'm also curious why the vet feels it is necessary for it to be hospitalised and what carnivore care is exactly? Normally they just get a course of anti-biotics that you can be shown how to inject yourself.

I would imagine the hospitalisation etc isn't going to be cheap?

I don't know where you live but these links might help you find an alternative to double check the recommendations.

Link 1.

Link 2.

Link 3.

If it is a simple RI I would suggest getting a culture to determine exactly which anti-biotic would work best.


dr del

[kc261]

I agree with pretty much every word Derek (Dr Del) said. It definitely sounds like typical RI symptoms, and if you vet is saying those aren't signs of an RI, I don't think your vet knows BPs.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to dr del again.

Blah.

[Big Thunder]

Update - got word from vet that she does have RI not GI. After the vet was able to monitor for a couple of hours, my BP displayed all symptoms that I could only explain to the vet. Weird part - no mucus has been expressed through or around the trachea. She was started on antibiotics today. Vet wants to keep to monitor for two days or so to rule out other issues.

Anyone here ever given injectables to their BP? Looks like mine will have to get a series of injectables.

What about long term? Do BPs recover well? I know I'm moving past glass now and buying plastic to help regulate her environment.