Holding mouth open and drooling

[Slytherin_python]

I recently realized that for the past three weeks, my snake's UTH hasn't been plugged in. Instead a heat lamp was plugged in that's not in use, but it is nearby the UTH cord. I didn't realize that I plugged in the wrong one D:

so I kind of panicked and plugged in the UTH (and moved the heat lamp far away). I got out my little buddy who is pretty cold, and he opened his mouth and seemed to be drooling a little. Although it might be nothing to worry about, it kind of scared me. He hasn't eaten in a week so I was planning on feeding him tomorrow. Unfortunately, there an no reptile vets anywhere nearby where I live at all, and as I can't drive yet I don't think my parent will want to drive me five hours to get my snake to a vet...

[L.West]

It sounds like your snake has a respiratory infection that must be addressed by a qualified exotic vet. Please get your snake to the vet or it won't get better.

[SKO]

It could be worse than an RI. What are the ambient Temps in the room where the enclosure is? Everyone makes mistakes but if you went three weeks without realizing that you need to reevaluate whether you have the ability to care for that animal or not. It's the same as saying you "forgot" your dog was outside in the winter for three weeks. If you also can't get it to a vet, then that's another sign you might need to think about what's best for that snake and get it to someone who can care for it.

[Slytherin_python]

I'm unable to take him to a vet at this time, as the nearest one is pretty far away and my mom doesn't take my ball python seriously at all. I can ask again but if there's any other solution I'd be willing to try it.

[Slytherin_python]

I check on him constantly and am always very good about keeping everything up. I check the temperatures avidly and everything has seemed normal until I realized that the wrong cord was plugged in. My room is really warm, especially at night, so that could be why I haven't seen much of a change in the temperatures of his enclosure.

[SKO]

How are you checking his Temps? Is your room the same temp his hot spot should be? What if the UTH was plugged in yet it over heated? Would you have noticed? This also brings up the question of whether or not you have the UTH on a thermostat or not.

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[Slytherin_python]

Update: My mom finally agreed to take him to a vet!! He is going this weekend. My room temperature gets all the way up to the low 80s at night, which is not too badly off from what it normally is on his warm side.

[WastelandExotics]

Now, I'm not going to be accusatory, so please excuse the blunt nature of these questions - I just need some clarification as I'm pretty lost on a couple of things as far as your setup in concerned:

1. What are you using to measure temps for the UTH?
2. Has the snake been fed in the last three weeks?
3. Have you taken the snake out at all in the past three weeks?
4. What is the humidity like in the tank / how do you monitor it?

Also, if you could get your mom to take the snake to the vet sooner than this weekend that would be great. Can't imagine how uncomfortable this guy is if he does have an RI and to prolong it for much longer than necessary would be cruel.

[Slytherin_python]

I don't have anything to monitor the UTH, but I use the digital zoomed humidity thing to measure humidity and the same with the temperatures on the warm and cool side. For what I've been told, the humidity is fine. I feed Draco once a week and he always eats happily. I fed him last Wednesday so tomorrow is feeding day. I get him out every Wednesday for feeding and for about an hour every Saturday for play time. Sometimes I get him out on the weekdays when I have free time. How/what do you use to monitor the UTH??

and unfortunately there is no available time between now and the weekend to take the poor guy to the vet. I feel really horrible for him and I really don't want him to have to be sick. If there was any possibility at all of getting him to the vet sooner I would take the opportunity. If I were able to drive I could just take myself, but I don't have my lisence yet.

[L.West]

You need to have a thermostat hooked up to your heat source to monitor the temps. To get accurate readings of how hot the temp is getting - you should get a temp gun. The PE1or2 is a cheap option for a temp gun. Walmart carries the accurite temp/humidity gauges - they are about $12 bucks.

Please keep us posted on what the vet says. I am very concerned for your snake. Respiratory infections are nothing to mess with.

But, if you don't address the proper equipment issues - your snake will continue to get sick from lack of proper temps and humidity.

Given your age and money issues - I would honestly suggest that after you get him well again to give him to someone more equipped financially to care for this snake. Vet bills can get very expensive and getting the correct equipment is pricey too.

Later in life when you are a little more prepared - you can always try again but don't let this snake suffer any longer please.

Best of luck to you.