Vet Visit

[heathers*bps]

Yes, I did forget to mention fungal, mainly because personally I've never dealt with it nor seen it myself in any animals, I suppose this would be treated differently.

Most RIs can be treated just fine with Baytril and good husbandry, and some simple treated water. If your BP can't recover from an RI, you are doing something wrong. I have treated everything from colubrids, to boids, to monitors for RI, and I have NEVER found a case of RI serious enough to need to waste money at a vet.

How would one go about getting Baytril without first going to a vet? Baytril also has failed before at curing RI's. Why, you ask? Because the type of bacteria causing the RI is immune to that type of antibiotic. Thus, going back to the first point of needing a culture. See how this works?

Congratulations on being a cure all handy man. I, for one, would not put my snakes health at further risk, and even their life, for the simple fact of saving a few dollars.

- - - Updated - - -

Can we make an exception for the guy that's owned a snake for all of three days now and take Monty to the vet if I wanna' waste a little bit of money?

I'm honestly hoping that the wheezing is actually just heavy breathing. I don't hear him doing it all the time, generally just sometimes when he's active or when I've had to pick him up. When I got him from my buddy, he didn't have a UTH, just overhead. It also seemed like his cage hadn't been cleaned in quite some time, some of the aspen bedding was stuck to the bottom of the tank, I'm assuming because of urine. I've fixed that up and husbandry is pretty good. Just went ahead and put him in a new tank since I was planning on getting a BP anyway, but I ended up getting him for free along with his cage. Humidity might be a little high, haven't quite got that exact yet, but warm side sits around 89-92 and the cool side is about 77-79.

Should I feed him tonight or wait until after the vet visit tomorrow or wait for a few days? I was told that he hasn't eaten in about 4 weeks. He doesn't appear too skinny to my untrained eyes though.

I would bring your cool side temps up to 80-82 degrees. I would also suggest holding off on feeding him, since you will be moving him and the vet will be handling him and checking him over. You don't want a regurged rat laying on the vet table.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I would wait until after the vet visit to feed. A day or so more isn't going to be an issue.

[MMReptiles]

Can we make an exception for the guy that's owned a snake for all of three days now and take Monty to the vet if I wanna' waste a little bit of money?

I'm honestly hoping that the wheezing is actually just heavy breathing. I don't hear him doing it all the time, generally just sometimes when he's active or when I've had to pick him up. When I got him from my buddy, he didn't have a UTH, just overhead. It also seemed like his cage hadn't been cleaned in quite some time, some of the aspen bedding was stuck to the bottom of the tank, I'm assuming because of urine. I've fixed that up and husbandry is pretty good. Just went ahead and put him in a new tank since I was planning on getting a BP anyway, but I ended up getting him for free along with his cage. Humidity might be a little high, haven't quite got that exact yet, but warm side sits around 89-92 and the cool side is about 77-79.

Should I feed him tonight or wait until after the vet visit tomorrow or wait for a few days? I was told that he hasn't eaten in about 4 weeks. He doesn't appear too skinny to my untrained eyes though.

If he's actually a male, a mature one at that- I wouldn't be shocked if he refused food for the breeding season. I've had males go 6-8 months striking on food because they are so intent to breed. If the snake is only doing a little wheezing, it could be a number of things. Some snakes do it when very active. Some for stress, some saying "leave me alone".

If all the previous owner had was an overhead light, it's very possible the air was very dry, and he's simply not hydrated enough, and there is a small piece of shed skin/dust in his nose causing the wheezing as well. Frankly, I'd give him time and wait to see if he improves or if the wheezing gets worse. Based on what you've said, nothing is screaming RI to me right now- and frankly- if I took every snake I've ever heard wheeze or hiss to the vet, I may as well just house my collection there.

I wouldn't feed him anywhere near a vet visit, the stress could induce a regurge and end up being worse overall for the snake. Either feed him now and hold off on the vet, or wait until after the vet for feeding.

How would one go about getting Baytril without first going to a vet? Baytril also has failed before at curing RI's. Why, you ask? Because the type of bacteria causing the RI is immune to that type of antibiotic. Thus, going back to the first point of needing a culture. See how this works?

Congratulations on being a cure all handy man. I, for one, would not put my snakes health at further risk, and even their life, for the simple fact of saving a few dollars.

Many people become good enough friends/have worked with a vet enough that if they need Baytril can simply go and ask for it, and get it at cost from the vet. Sure- Baytril has failed at curing RIs, I never recommended it in the first place now did I? I said in general it does a pretty good job if you go that route. Frankly, 99% of RIs can be fixed at home with simple husbandry issues.

I'm not being a cure all handy man, I'm speaking from years of experience treating RIs, and what has proven to work time and time again for me to treat every single RI I've come across. Frankly, in my eyes, you "further risk the snake's health" by stressing it out so much with an unneeded vet visit. I don't go to the doctor every time I get a cold do I? Or take my cat every time he gets a sneeze.

As the OP stated- the original husbandry was way off, if there is an RI, it's minor. Proper husbandry can and will probably fix it.

[The Serpent Merchant]

And that might be fine for a very experienced keeper but not for a very new keeper. For someone new to BP's a vet is the best choice. Telling a new keeper not too is irresponsible.

[MMReptiles]

And that might be fine for a very experienced keeper but not for a very new keeper. For someone new to BP's a vet is the best choice. Telling a new keeper not too is irresponsible.

A new keeper with good advice and proper care is better than 90% of the crap vets out there. Bps are not difficult, telling him to jump the gun and rush to the vet is irresponsible.

[BWyant]

If all the previous owner had was an overhead light, it's very possible the air was very dry, and he's simply not hydrated enough, and there is a small piece of shed skin/dust in his nose causing the wheezing as well. Frankly, I'd give him time and wait to see if he improves or if the wheezing gets worse. Based on what you've said, nothing is screaming RI to me right now- and frankly- if I took every snake I've ever heard wheeze or hiss to the vet, I may as well just house my collection there.

As the OP stated- the original husbandry was way off, if there is an RI, it's minor. Proper husbandry can and will probably fix it.

Anyone else think this could be the case?

When I got Monty (his name seems to have been changed to Mr. Snakey Snake), he did have a lot of left-over shed on him. I mentioned it in a previous thread, but nobody mentioned that it could be causing the wheeze. I thought that it was a possibility because the wheezing has gotten less as I've gotten his husbandry slowly up to par over the last couple days.

I'm not on a shoestring budget, I can afford the vet visit, I'd just rather not if folks think this is probably the case given the information I've provided. I don't want overreact in a effort to win the pet owner of the month award and have it cost $200. Maybe tomorrow I'll just take a ton of pictures of him so ya'll can act as my veterinarians? Would that be a good idea?

[Mike41793]

A new keeper with good advice and proper care is better than 90% of the crap vets out there. Bps are not difficult, telling him to jump the gun and rush to the vet is irresponsible.

Thats why we have a section on here with a list of good herp vets.

Bringing a snake to a good herp vet if a new keeper suspects somethings wrong (like an RI) is like the opposite of irresponsible.

[I-KandyReptiles]

Anyone else think this could be the case?

When I got Monty (his name seems to have been changed to Mr. Snakey Snake), he did have a lot of left-over shed on him. I mentioned it in a previous thread, but nobody mentioned that it could be causing the wheeze. I thought that it was a possibility because the wheezing has gotten less as I've gotten his husbandry slowly up to par over the last couple days.

I'm not on a shoestring budget, I can afford the vet visit, I'd just rather not if folks think this is probably the case given the information I've provided. I don't want overreact in a effort to win the pet owner of the month award and have it cost $200. Maybe tomorrow I'll just take a ton of pictures of him so ya'll can act as my veterinarians? Would that be a good idea?

IMO, I'd take him to the vet anyways. A check up wouldn't hurt for your new addition

[heathers*bps]

Anyone else think this could be the case?

When I got Monty (his name seems to have been changed to Mr. Snakey Snake), he did have a lot of left-over shed on him. I mentioned it in a previous thread, but nobody mentioned that it could be causing the wheeze. I thought that it was a possibility because the wheezing has gotten less as I've gotten his husbandry slowly up to par over the last couple days.

I'm not on a shoestring budget, I can afford the vet visit, I'd just rather not if folks think this is probably the case given the information I've provided. I don't want overreact in a effort to win the pet owner of the month award and have it cost $200. Maybe tomorrow I'll just take a ton of pictures of him so ya'll can act as my veterinarians? Would that be a good idea?

You do realize that there is one person against going to the vet, compared to the what, five, of us saying you should go?

It is ultimately your decision, but if it were MY snake, it would be going to the vet appointment tomorrow.

[MMReptiles]

You do realize that there is one person against going to the vet, compared to the what, five, of us saying you should go?

It is ultimately your decision, but if it were MY snake, it would be going to the vet appointment tomorrow.

One person who took the time to think and evaluate all pieces of information over 5 people who like to jump the gun with no information and praise vets? I fail to see how this is a relevant piece of information. Then again, you probably take all of your animals every time they look at you funny, for no reason at all Makes perfect sense.