How to prevent BP from Stargazing?

[tomjones456]

I noticed that my BP for a while now has been making sneezing sounds, and often put her head out, laying it on top of her hide in an upwards position. Noticed just now she was putting her head straight up. Are my temps too low? What should I be doing to prevent? Hot spot is about 89-92, cool side at 83

[NH93]

Sounds like a respiratory infection, which is often caused by too law of temps (and proper or high humidity with the low temps). A couple ways to deal with that; make use of the search bar on this forum

As for stargazing, I don't think that is what yours has (but I could be wrong) but that is a neurological condition and can't really be "fixed"... if I'm not mistaken.

However, very important:
- What are your temperatures (cold side/ambient, hot side, hot spot)? Edit: I see you've address that already! My apologies. They seem pretty good.
- What kind of thermometers are you using?
- What heating methods do you use?
- How are you regulating them?
- What does your hygrometer read at, percentage-wise? (And what kind of hygrometer is it: dial or digital?)


A photo or very detailed description of the overall tank setup would be helpful as well!
Please and thank you

[CORBIN911]

Does she breath with her mouth open aswell, Best thing to do, is take a Qtip or BBQ wooden toothpick, and insert it horizontally (dont stab) but try to get the snake to open its mouth, and look for mucus/whiteish mouth.

This sounds like a R.I, If you do see these, a Vet will be required.

As for temp readings what are you using to get these?

[tomjones456]

Does she breath with her mouth open aswell, Best thing to do, is take a Qtip or BBQ wooden toothpick, and insert it horizontally (dont stab) but try to get the snake to open its mouth, and look for mucus/whiteish mouth.

This sounds like a R.I, If you do see these, a Vet will be required.

As for temp readings what are you using to get these?

I've already took her to the vet about a year ago. She gave me batril for oral injections and I did that for a while, doesn't seem to get much better, though it doesn't seem too bad. She does have mucus in her mouth yes. I use thermostats with probe on hot and cool side

- - - Updated - - -

Does she breath with her mouth open aswell, Best thing to do, is take a Qtip or BBQ wooden toothpick, and insert it horizontally (dont stab) but try to get the snake to open its mouth, and look for mucus/whiteish mouth.

This sounds like a R.I, If you do see these, a Vet will be required.

As for temp readings what are you using to get these?

I've already took her to the vet about a year ago. She gave me batril for oral injections and I did that for a while, doesn't seem to get much better, though it doesn't seem too bad. She does have mucus in her mouth yes. I use thermostats with probe on hot and cool side

[CORBIN911]

I've already took her to the vet about a year ago. She gave me batril for oral injections and I did that for a while, doesn't seem to get much better, though it doesn't seem too bad. She does have mucus in her mouth yes. I use thermostats with probe on hot and cool side

Get a new vet. From what it seems you didn't get a Culture done to figure out what bacteria is present with the snake to cause this infection. Try to find a HERP specialized vet, because if this has been going for this long its very worrying. Make sure there are no other snakes near this one as well if you have more.

[tomjones456]

Sounds like a respiratory infection, which is often caused by too law of temps (and proper or high humidity with the low temps). A couple ways to deal with that; make use of the search bar on this forum

As for stargazing, I don't think that is what yours has (but I could be wrong) but that is a neurological condition and can't really be "fixed"... if I'm not mistaken.

However, very important:
- What are your temperatures (cold side/ambient, hot side, hot spot)? Edit: I see you've address that already! My apologies. They seem pretty good.
- What kind of thermometers are you using?
- What heating methods do you use?
- How are you regulating them?
- What does your hygrometer read at, percentage-wise? (And what kind of hygrometer is it: dial or digital?)


A photo or very detailed description of the overall tank setup would be helpful as well!
Please and thank you

Temps- Hotspot 89-92, Cool side 80-83
Thermometers- Acu-rite Thermometer with Probe
Heating methods- 1 lamp, and heating pad on hot side
Humidity - 39%. Pretty hard to adjust the humidity after trying many methods

[tomjones456]

Get a new vet. From what it seems you didn't get a Culture done to figure out what bacteria is present with the snake to cause this infection. Try to find a HERP specialized vet, because if this has been going for this long its very worrying. Make sure there are no other snakes near this one as well if you have more.

Apparently the one I took her to was a HERP specialized vet. There are other ones, but hours away from where I live

- - - Updated - - -

Get a new vet. From what it seems you didn't get a Culture done to figure out what bacteria is present with the snake to cause this infection. Try to find a HERP specialized vet, because if this has been going for this long its very worrying. Make sure there are no other snakes near this one as well if you have more.

Apparently the one I took her to was a HERP specialized vet. There are other ones, but hours away from where I live

[CORBIN911]

Well there is a vet appointment needed

Aswell to up humidty what kind of tank? Glass?

If so cover 3/4th of the top with tinfoil, and use Cocohusk substrate that is moist with water. Mist 1 time daily, And add 2 water bowls, with 1 on cool side 1 on warm side.


When you take him/her to vet make sure to ask them to take a culture to figure out WHICH bacteria is causing the infection, to then proscribe the proper medication needed.

[Mephibosheth1]

I use a water bowl under a heat lamp (adjusted low with a dimmer) that is set up in a cardboard cutout that covers half the screen lid. I cover the other half with paper towels, and spray them every day when I'm trying to boost the humidity.

Changing to a more absorbent substrate will work too, but be careful about over-misting...if it's soaking wet it can be just as bad as it being too dry

[Skiploder]

I noticed that my BP for a while now has been making sneezing sounds, and often put her head out, laying it on top of her hide in an upwards position. Noticed just now she was putting her head straight up. Are my temps too low? What should I be doing to prevent? Hot spot is about 89-92, cool side at 83

Odds are that she is elevating her head in an effort to ease her breathing.

The fact that antibiotic treatment alleviated or lessened the symptoms for a period of time is indicative that your vet is not doing the job you paid him to do . In many cases where the culture is not performed or is incorrect, treatment with a less effective antibiotic results in a temporary or partial alleviation of symptoms which ultimately return once therapy is stopped.

However, infection with a virus would present much in the same way. The RI is the result of stress from the virus which in turn causes a drop in the effectiveness of the immune system. The antibiotic treats the symptoms but does nothing to deal with the virus. After antibiotic therapy is stopped the snake eventually regresses.

So to answer your question, you can stop the stargazing behavior by properly treating his underlying ailment.