Possible RI - Advice appreciated

[dakski]

Good on raising cool side temps. You really want cool side temps for a BP to be 78F+. Mid 70's is low and asking for trouble, IMO, especially with mid 70's humidity.

BP's want 88-90F hot spot, 80-84 ambient temps, and a 78-80F cool spot. They also want humidity about 60%. 55%-65% is a good range. 70-75% is an acceptable spike, and an in shed range. However, cool temps and high humidity are both recipes for RI's. BP's do not understand a little too hot or a little too cold, but will try to thermoregulate anyway.

If healthy otherwise, you might be able to nip in the bud by keeping humidity under 65-70% and keeping temps 80-90F in the tub.

If symptoms persist, and you do need a vet visit, the only way to tell what is causing the RI, specifically, is with a tracheal flush/lung flush. They put fluid in the snakes trachea/lungs quickly and then flush it out and culture it. This will determine if fungal or bacterial and what kind, I believe of either, but definitely of bacteria, you are dealing with.

If the vet does not do this and prescribes antibiotics, etc. they are just guessing and they probably are not really aware of how to treat your animal. It is common to do a flush in cases that are really bad/dire, start a common antibiotic, but be ready to change if necessary.

If your BP is eating, not bubbling, not open mouth breathing, not holding his/her head up all the time, etc. there is hope it can resolve itself, or medication intervention will solve quickly.

Remember, reptiles get sick slowly and get better slowly. Slow metabolisms. They also are hesitant to show any weakness as it could be fatal.

What substrate are you using? If it's one that holds humidity well, you might want to switch to one that does not hold humidity as well, such as printless newspaper.

One final note. Humidity too low can also cause RI's. Please do not have a knee jerk reaction and lower humidity drastically either. Over 50-55% and below 70% is ideal, with the goal being 60% or so.