Extremely Frustrated - advice?

[lX V1P3R Xl]

I'm getting pretty frustrated at this point and I really don't know what I am doing wrong. My bp is making bubble popping noises again while she breathes. If it’s another respiratory infection it will be her 3rd one in 3 years. As far as I can tell I am doing everything right. Her temps on her hot hide vary between 89-92 by the use of an under tank heater. On her cold side it varies between 78-83. The humidity ranges between 45-65 (I use a damp towel on top). I used to use an overhead lamp all the time (and still use it on occasion during winter) but when I have it on, my BP usually abandons her warm hide and spends all her time in her cold hide. Instead of a overhead lamp, I've been using a space heater to heat up the room she's in to a 78-80 degrees and frankly, it’s quite hard on the electric bill. I was just trying so hard to prevent her from getting sick again I was willing to take the financial hit. However, if she's sick again I seriously have no clue what I am doing wrong and what to do in order to prevent her from getting sick.

Do I have to have an overhead lamp or something!?!

Here are pictures of my cage setup, do you guys see anything wrong? Keep in mind there is an UTH underneath her warm hide. Also, I use paper towel as her substrate because I am allergic to most other "natural" type substrates.







For the picture below, the top temperature is her warm hide, the bottom left is the cold temp, and the right side is the humidity percentage

[JoshSloane]

Are you handling other reptiles frequently? Going to expos or pet shops?

[Jay_Bunny]

The set up looks good and the temps are right. Handling other reptiles and then handling yours can put yours at risk for infection but its not as likely with a good set up. Check her nostrils. Sometimes a piece of stuck shed can get caught and cause them to make some weird noises. If that's not it, it may be time to see the vet.

[lX V1P3R Xl]

The set up looks good and the temps are right. Handling other reptiles and then handling yours can put yours at risk for infection but its not as likely with a good set up. Check her nostrils. Sometimes a piece of stuck shed can get caught and cause them to make some weird noises. If that's not it, it may be time to see the vet.

Unfortunately I can't take her to the vet right now. I just graduated college and still have not had any luck in finding a job. I literally have no money. As for handling other reptiles, I have not handled another reptile for probably about a year since I've been at school. Also, I know stuck shed isn't the issue either, her nostrils look clear. However, she has always had a nostril issue since the day I got her. She makes a squeaking noise whenever she breathes and in the past, the vet said that she must of either gotten injured when she was young, or she was born with an internally deformed nostril. The bubble sound is a different sound then the squeaking sound and she has been staying in her hide all day and night which is abnormal. She usually comes out and explores at night.

[Jay_Bunny]

Any bubbling around the mouth or nostrils? Any crust around the nostrils?

[JoshSloane]

If the snake has a nostril issue it could just be some water that made its way into her nostrils during drinking. When was the last time she ate?

[Albert Clark]

How was she treated for the respiratory infection in the past? Was she placed on antibiotics previously? Sometimes its best to ask for a culture and sensitivity test from the vet with recurrent RI. It seems like when you can afford it this needs to be considered. If that is really what she has or is suffering from. The c and s testing can be pricey but it will tell you a lot. Good luck. Your set up looks really nice and clean btw.

[lX V1P3R Xl]

Any bubbling around the mouth or nostrils? Any crust around the nostrils?

No, no crust or bubbles around the mouth or nostrils yet. If it is another RI, its probably in a fairly early stage.

If the snake has a nostril issue it could just be some water that made its way into her nostrils during drinking. When was the last time she ate?

She ate twice last week after about a month or two fast. She drinks regularly, I see her drinking all the time. She has even drank water cupped in my bare hands 4 times in the past. Water in her nose is a possibility however I heard the popping two days in a row (I haven't checked her yet today). Hopefully if that is the case that won't cause a RI.

How was she treated for the respiratory infection in the past? Was she placed on antibiotics previously? Sometimes its best to ask for a culture and sensitivity test from the vet with recurrent RI. It seems like when you can afford it this needs to be considered. If that is really what she has or is suffering from. The c and s testing can be pricey but it will tell you a lot

She was given shots of Fortaz twice a week for the most recent RI and the two times before that I think it was a different vet prescribed shot however I don't quite remember and I could be wrong. If I end up getting a job soon, I'll definitely take a culture into consideration.

[Kibbleswhites]

Just an FYI and so with it what you wish. Sometimes an RI will cause damage that is not repairable. Ut makes the animal more susceptible to illness in the future. You can look at it like a child with asthma or a dog with flea allergies. It is there to stay and will reoccur occasionally with little fluctuation in things that can sometimes be unavoidable such as pollen in the air, a stressful day or a gulp of water down the wrong pipe. a comprised immune system will always rear its dirty head. I think you are doing everything for your animal and do not see any husbandry issues. Your girl may just need a little more care then the average bear.