RI: Clean out her nose?

[ratchet]

So after noticing an RI in my three year old ball and taking her to the vet (got her injections, vet said he wasn't too worried as the infection was still in it's early stages and she seemed very healthy otherwise), I've noticed she is starting to hold her head up more to help with her breathing. I know it's only been three days since I've started giving her the injections and it's not an instant fix, but I'd like to help her out more... she is in the smallest room in the house with a humidifier and temps stay above 80 always. Is there something I can do to clean out her nose to help her breathe more? My husband took her to the vet as I was working and he said that was the first thing the vet did (it was a drop off appointment, so my husband wasn't there to see how the vet did it and he didn't ask how he did it either). Thank you! Any other tips with dealing with RI's are appreciated. How long does it usually take to clear up?

Thank you!

[Rickys_Reptiles]

If you want to help her, leave her alone. Trying to clean out her nose will likely stress her out more than anything.

[dr del]

So after noticing an RI in my three year old ball and taking her to the vet (got her injections, vet said he wasn't too worried as the infection was still in it's early stages and she seemed very healthy otherwise), I've noticed she is starting to hold her head up more to help with her breathing. I know it's only been three days since I've started giving her the injections and it's not an instant fix, but I'd like to help her out more... she is in the smallest room in the house with a humidifier and temps stay above 80 always. Is there something I can do to clean out her nose to help her breathe more? My husband took her to the vet as I was working and he said that was the first thing the vet did (it was a drop off appointment, so my husband wasn't there to see how the vet did it and he didn't ask how he did it either). Thank you! Any other tips with dealing with RI's are appreciated. How long does it usually take to clear up?

Thank you!

Did the vet take a culture first? I ask as the snake raising its head for long periods is a sign the congestion is worse not better.

[J&A exotics]

If its a viral antibiotics won't help you could try fogging f10sc. I used this to clear mine it takes about tens days. You can youtube how to do the treatment.

[ratchet]

Did the vet take a culture first? I ask as the snake raising its head for long periods is a sign the congestion is worse not better.

Yeah, but she started doing that maybe a day after her first injection, do you think that maybe it might take a bit for the meds to kick in? I'll see how she's doing after work today, she was laying flat on top of her hide this morning, which was nice to see. I'm just curious as to how long the meds take to start making an improvement, but I guess it'd vary from snake to snake and also depending on the conditions and everything... the vet didn't take a culture, he offered but he said he was confident of what it was and seeing that this was her first infection in the three years of her life and she seemed healthy in all other aspects, he said he was confident in giving us the medication for the infection.

[ratchet]

If you want to help her, leave her alone. Trying to clean out her nose will likely stress her out more than anything.

That makes sense... the injections are probably stressful enough as it is. This being my first experience with a sick snake, I'm just trying to figure out everything I can do to help her. Thanks!

[ratchet]

If its a viral antibiotics won't help you could try fogging f10sc. I used this to clear mine it takes about tens days. You can youtube how to do the treatment.

Okay. My other snakes are fine (I have been doing my best of keeping her clear from my other snakes and I clean up after dealing with her before caring for the others), so I'm thinking it's not viral. I have been doing a Vicks and Eucalyptus sauna with her as well. Thanks for the link!

[Rickys_Reptiles]

That makes sense... the injections are probably stressful enough as it is. This being my first experience with a sick snake, I'm just trying to figure out everything I can do to help her. Thanks!

It's a stressful experience for you, and even more stressful for your snake. It can take a week or 2 before the meds even start to make a difference, so just be patient.

[Skiploder]

Okay. My other snakes are fine (I have been doing my best of keeping her clear from my other snakes and I clean up after dealing with her before caring for the others), so I'm thinking it's not viral. I have been doing a Vicks and Eucalyptus sauna with her as well. Thanks for the link!

Do not do the vicks/eucalyptus sauna. It's a bad idea for several reasons. If you need to nebulize, either ask your vet about nebulizing an appropriate antibiotic therapy of nebulize F10SC.

I'd love to know who has been going around recommending the eucalyptus/vicks treatment....I'm seeing a lot of people casually bringing up this treatment and it needs to stop.

[ratchet]

Do not do the vicks/eucalyptus sauna. It's a bad idea for several reasons. If you need to nebulize, either ask your vet about nebulizing an appropriate antibiotic therapy of nebulize F10SC.

I'd love to know who has been going around recommending the eucalyptus/vicks treatment....I'm seeing a lot of people casually bringing up this treatment and it needs to stop.

Actually, the vet said it wouldn't hurt... Why do you think it's so bad? There's posts online where keepers have said it's never failed them when it came to getting rid of an early onset of an infection. I know not everything online is something to go by, but I haven't come across anyone saying not to use it. I actually had another snake keeper tell me to do it when I first noticed the symptoms.