Help! Ball Python is sick!

[RockStarZeus]

Hello all, this is my first post and unfortunately it's a crummy one.

My fiancee and I have a ball python that we got from a local pet store about 2 months ago. The story we were given was that some girls had brought the snake in because they didnt want it any more. He seemed to be in relatively good health when we got him, and is one of the most social snakes I've ever seen.

3 days ago our power was shut off because our roommates didn't pay the bill. Salazar (our snakey) got very cold before we were able to make arrangements to get him in a warm place again, but he seemed to be ok once he warmed back up.

Yesterday he was listless but seemed to be ok for the most part. Then today around 5pm, he regurgitated a bunch of clear, mucusy liquid. Probably about 1/4 to 1/2 a cup worth. Since then he has regurgitated several more times, although nowhere near as much, generally only a teaspoon or two each time. Each time he cramps/contorts for a minute or two before he does it.

We tried soaking him in about 90 degree water for a little bit, and this seemed to help, as he was much more like his normal self. Shortly afterwards he peed/pooped a large amount of liquidy mucusy fluid very similar to what he had regurgitated earlier.

At this point I would appreciate any help/suggestions that you could give. I know that the best think would be to take him to the Vet, but we are unfortunately completely broke until monday. I am mostly looking for suggestions to keep him as safe and comfortable as I can until I can get him in to see the Vet.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, we love our Salazar and it kills us to see him like this.

[rabernet]

If there's any way at all that you can get him into a vet before Monday, please do so. He does not have the ability to cough like we do to clear his lungs, and if he's expelling as much as you say - he's having a tough time breathing.


In the meantime - keep him warm - keep the temps in the low 90's, and increase the humidity to about 70%. The humidity will help to loosen the mucus. Just to be clear, if his symptoms seem to improve, do not assume that it's going away - a RI can only be treated with antibiotics, and preferably injectible ones.

Also, check these links to make sure that the vet that you take him to specializes in exotics, and isn't a vet that normally primarily sees dogs and cats and an occassional reptile.

http://www.arav.org/Directory.htm

http://www.anapsid.org/vets/index.html#vetlist


Good luck, and let us know how he does!

[frankykeno]

Grrrrr have to spread more love around before I can give some to you my friend. Excellent post Robin!

[RockStarZeus]

Thanks for the info. That's pretty much what we have been doing (Keeping his temp up) and he seems much better today. He will, of course, still be going to the vet ASAP, but for now he seems to be maintaining pretty well. He doesn't seem to have a whole lot of energy, but he isn't contracting anymore, and he isn't holding his head up with his mouth open either. We will continue to monitor him and keep him warm until we can get him into the vet.

And just so you know, normally we would take him to the vet immediately, but we really don't have the money at the moment. Our landlord decided he wanted his daughter to live in this house so we were given an eviction notice. Every penny we could scrape went into the deposits for the new place (plus some pennies from selling off my PS3 and computer), and we're completely tapped until monday.....

[RockStarZeus]

Grrrrr have to spread more love around before I can give some to you my friend.

What's that supposed to mean?

[rabernet]

What's that supposed to mean?

She liked my initial post to you, and was going to give me postive reputation points for it. If you notice under each person's name in a thread is a scale icon - click on that and you can leave a "I agree" comment or "I disagree" comment and add to that person's reputation.

You have to give reputation to a given number of people before you can give again to the same person.

[elevatethis]

I would honestly take him to the vet anyway, money or no money. Most vets bill for their services, so if you put down at least a partial payment of the cost, I don't think you'll get turned away...

This infection can ONLY be cleared with antibiotics or it is going to keep coming back.

[rabernet]

And just so you know, normally we would take him to the vet immediately, but we really don't have the money at the moment. Our landlord decided he wanted his daughter to live in this house so we were given an eviction notice. Every penny we could scrape went into the deposits for the new place (plus some pennies from selling off my PS3 and computer), and we're completely tapped until monday.....

I'm so sorry you're going through that - please keep us updated with his progress!

[RockStarZeus]

I would honestly take him to the vet anyway, money or no money. Most vets bill for their services, so if you put down at least a partial payment of the cost, I don't think you'll get turned away...

This infection can ONLY be cleared with antibiotics or it is going to keep coming back.

Around here, they're a bunch of heartless *&$@#*). My dog bruno broke his leg 2 months ago, and we called every vet in 2 counties. NONE of them would take even a partial payment, let alone bill later. I had to return my 360 to Wal-Mart to get the money, as I was in a similar situation money-wise at the time. The only thing the vets around here care about is cash....

[elevatethis]

Well that is very unfortunate...where are you located? Maybe someone on here lives near you and could offer assistance...