BP gaping/yawning?

[lunasjy]

I have two female ball pythons that are currently gaping. I have other ball pythons as well that I have that do not seem to be gaping as well, but they hide all day so I cannot be too sure.

They currently are showing no other symptoms. Mouths are still nice and pink, not making any noises, active, no mucus, just the gapping. What is weird and if I had nothing to worry about is that there is two of them doing it. Nothing in their enclosures have changed except moving them from news paper bedding to aspen. Their temperatures are 90F on the hot side and the cool side fluctuates between 75-85F.

I can bring them to the vet if needed but they have no other symptoms and here it is a $280 visit per snake plus treatment if needed so I do not want to spend that kind of money for nothing so I would like to be sure before doing so.

Their feeding day was two days ago, but planned on feeding them today (shipment of F/T came in late and arrived yesterday instead of last week). Is hunger a possibility of gaping?

What else could cause gaping and what is the first to last signs of an RI?

[SRMD]

My BP yawns a lot before shedding, after eating.

[T_Sauer]

Generally they "yawn/gape" after feeding to realign their jaws. I have caught some of mine doing it from time to time randomly .... From what you have described I would just chalk it up to them stretching their mouths .... Doesn't sound like RI, as that is usually accompanied with them periscoping or standing straight up in the air and giving a raspy/gurgling sound. .... I don't think you have anything to worry about

[Eric Alan]

Trying to make sure I'm understanding what you're describing: by "gaping" do you mean occasionally opening its mouth similar to a yawn, or do you mean holding its mouth open for an extended period of time?

[Joe balls]

The yawn/gapping I would have to say the same as above. my guys do it more often right before a shed like they are loosening the face skin to come off. Aspen can get dry and maybe give it a mist and maybe mist your snake a little too he may be day from the bedding also and haveing a harder time loosening his shed.

[Reinz]

$280 per visit!!!

WoW!

Where is your Vet, in Beverly Hills?

I don't blame you for not wanting to go there unless.....

[Sauzo]

No kidding lol. My vet charges $53 for the office visit plus whatever else is needed. $280 for just the visit is crazy. Is he using gold instruments, caviar in the waiting room and Italian satin sheets on the exam table? Yawning sometimes is normal, sitting there gaping with their mouth open all the time is not. I would keep a close eye if its the latter and maybe bump the temp up a couple degrees just incase it is the start of RI.

[myztic24]

Wow 280 that is alot

[lunasjy]

It is the only exotic vet in my town and to travel to a cheaper place would cost me the same in travelling costs, so you have to do what you have to do and I would pay almost anything to keep my babies healthy or not have them at all. I found the problem with my girls after I discovered one of my boys doing the same. Recently I changed their bedding from new paper to aspen. I opened my boy's mouth to check for other symptoms and found he had a mouth full of aspen. I checked my girls, one must have gotten the aspen out herself but my pied female had a good piece in there too, I have removed the aspen and things seem to be normal but will keep an eye on them just in case it was a coincidence. Thank you for all your help though!

[Reinz]

Great news!

And glad that you not have to go see Dr Rip Off.