BP with chapped lips and funny noises??

[rynthae]

Hello,


I have two ball pythons (housed separately); they are typically both very good eaters, and I have not had issues at all in the past. The younger one, Tiamat, recently has not been eating for about a month and a half now, despite offering food multiple times. I chalked it up to pickiness at first and didn't think it was very unusual, but recently have become more concerned; he seems very lethargic (more so than is typical), having little to no movement throughout each day, and within the last day, I have noticed that his mouth seems extremely chapped and dried out, and he will keep his mouth very slightly ajar, as if it bothers him. He also has been making clicking sounds. Upon checking the inside of his mouth, however, it appeared fairly normal with no extra saliva or anything like that. He has a reliable overhead heat source from a strong basking lamp and an elevated basking spot underneath it, and has a large source of fresh water in which he can easily soak.


I am uncertain of the age of the snake, but he is still young, and about two and a half feet long at a guess.


Any insight on what might be going on would be hugely appreciated, as I am very concerned about Tiamat. Thank you so much for your time and patience.

-Rynthae

[interloc]

With the mouth agape, "chapped" lips, and the noises, sounds like you have a respiratory infection on our hands. I'm not really qualified to give advise on how to cure it, but best thing to do is get it to a vet. These things are dealt with best when caught early. It is a serious problem for a snake because the really only have one lung so when it gets infected badly, results can be heart breaking. Vet is your best bet. Good luck.

[kitedemon]

I am not sure I'd guess RI but mouth rot perhaps. Either way it is enough to say VET now loudly and with 100% confidence. It is time to go. Cultures that allow targeted antibiotics are always best, they also are many times more useful before any antibiotics are given.

[FireStorm]

I would agree...sounds like a RI.A vet visit is the way to go. What looks like "chapped lips" may be dried mucous. In the mean time, what are your temps/ humidity and what are you using to measure?

[mbuehler]

I'm not a prophet, but I see a vet visit in your near future.

I had two girls with RIs recently and they had the same exact symptoms as yours. Once I got then on baytil it cleared up lickity split.

B

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[dr del]

Hi,

Pictures would really help if you can get some clear ones.

[rynthae]

Here are the pictures, as requested. If it is not clear, the inside of Tia's mouth looks normal, only the "lips" show dryness and discoloration.

[dr del]

Hmmm,

What are you using as a substrate?

Can you try and tell where the clicks are coming from on the snake - the nose/ head area or further down the body?

When was the last time he shed?


dr del

[Kaorte]

Could this just be a case of really bad nose rubbing?

[rynthae]

I use aspen for the bedding. The clicks sound as though they are coming from the head/mouth, and are definitely not coming from the body. I have tried listening along her body, and I do not hear anything -- no weezing, clicking, or bubbling. The sound only comes from the mouth, it would seem.

The last time Tia shed was about 1.5 to 2 months ago, and the shed was not completed all in one piece. Could this be caused by a bad shed? As I've said, I cannot see any symptoms evident within the inside of his mouth, or any strange sounds coming from his body (just the head).

Tia does have a habit of nose-rubbing, and always has, so I suppose that could have something to do with this. He rubs his nose on the glass of the tank, on his hide, on his water dish, and on the climbing branches in his tank. This is nothing new for him.