Quote Originally Posted by BMorrison View Post
I’d ditch the infrared light for a ceramic heat emitter. Balls are nocturnal or crepuscular if you will and light is a stressor. If the snake is stressed it won’t eat. Your common signs of RI in a ball are elevated head, bubbles around the mouth or mucous in far advanced cases.

If you decide to go to the vet make sure they run a culture to diagnose the type of RI and prescribe either ceftazidime (fortaz) or amikacin. Baytril will commonly be prescribed injection style by a vet that doesn’t deal mainly in exotics and the injections from it can cause some nasty burns.


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Very good point. The culture is quite important, it may end up costing a bit more in the beginning, but once the culture comes back, you and your vet will know exactly what you are up against. Most likely you will get a broad spectrum antibiotic right away, but the culture will show whether you need to change any treatment or tweak it.

Also quite important to try to find a vet that treats reptiles at least somewhat regularly. See if they can also do a fecal while there (might as well get it all done and out of the way...). Even if there is no poop, they can sometimes get something via. a wash, enough to check for parasites (worms) and protozoans such as giardia.

So far the snake doesn't show severe symptoms, so now is the time to treat if treatment is needed. The sooner, the better the chances for a great outcome Parasites and Protozoans are easily treated once you know they are there..