Mom won't let me take snake to vet after saying she would

[zina10]

I read through your other post.

So you say he is still eating and shedding and doing great otherwise?
You said there is no constant wheezing or popping, no open mouth breathing, no mucous...

Honestly, I think he may just be fine then. If its only occasionally and there are no other signs at all plus he is eating and shedding it could just be due to his nasal cavity being slightly narrow as he is growing. Or some other harmless issue that the Vet can't really help you with.

As long as things don't get worse at all, I would not take him to the Vet. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem spending money on the Vet if my animals need it (says the $6500 bill for horse surgery on a old broodmare) but I feel that with reptiles its sometimes not actually a good thing to go to the Vet unless there is a good reason.

Snakes stress, esp. Ball Pythons. There will be temperature inconsistencies on the way and at the Vet. The checkup in itself is stressful.

Again, if things progress, if he stops eating, if anything at all seems worse, of course, go to the Vet. But for now I would hold off. But that is just my opinion, you must do what you feel is right.

However, going behind your moms back and wishes may not be a great idea. If it came to the point that things get bad enough to go to a Vet, I would rather keep talking to her, trying to reason (respectfully). If she sees the snake actually doing bad, she may be more open to this. I would even tell her that I would rather place the snake with a rescue that can take it to the vet, than keeping it and having it get sick enough to potentially die. If she sees how serious you and the situation are, she will probably come around. Lying and being sneaky never works out long-term and if you still live with her and at her house, I wouldn't go that route.

She is probably just stressed, wanting to be able to give you something nice for Christmas. Of course getting your pet healthy is a noble, and RIGHT thing to do, but since the snake isn't really that bad off, she may rather want you to have something more then a checkup. I'm just guessing here...

Make sure your enclosure and husbandry is 100% right and keep an eye on your boy. Don't handle right after eating or for a couple days after.