Agree with @caron and think @ballornothing is likely correct with the ri, he has a lot of experience, so I would do what he suggests! Another thing to look for is mouth gaping, not yawning but being slightly open, gasping a little and sometimes fluid like discharge around the mouth area. The only reason I feel he would sleep with his head up, is it’s easier for him to breathe that way? Remember snakes technically have 2 lungs but really one does almost all the work, so ri or breathing problems can be serious in theses animals. I am sure you have, but make sure the temps are on point.
Keeping the head up. I had one with an RI and this is exactly what it did. If it was me, I would definitely have it checked. Better to be safe then sorry. I had to give mine shots to help it clear up, but it was in bad shape. I also received mine from a local show and did not notice it right away. This was way back in time and at an Ohio show in Columbus. All the others I bought over time there where all good.
Ok. So Monday is the earliest the vet can see him. I will monitor until then and make sure he is warm enough. Question. He is due to have his first feeding this weekend. Do I try his first feeding tomorrow so he has time to digest before the vet on Monday, or do I push the feeding out to after the vet?
If it were me I’d wait. He may not feel like eating and if he is already holding his head up he would most likely have difficulty with handling a rodent. I think treating the possible RI is way more important than giving him a meal at this point……
But others may disagree here.
@ballornothing Don Should @doogie87 Jeremy keep this snake in a very warm tub with very high humidity until Monday! I know a steam from a shower for instance is great for pneumonia.
Or would this not be necessary or not be a good idea?
Don’t feed. Warmer tub, don’t raise humidity. Don’t get crazy with the heat. 88-92* tops. If the animal seems more uncomfortable than it is now drop it back down.
Ok. His enclosure ambient is 74 degrees and 60% humidity. His hot spot is around 90. The exotic pet place here said to soak him in a small tub with the lid on for a bit. Kinda of like a steam soak. Is that not the way to go? Thanks again everyone!
I would raise the ambient to 78-82. i wouldn’t do a steam soak personally but others with more experience may say different and I would listen to them
I would raise ambient temps ASAP, that’s pretty cool for a ball python
I have a under tank heater on one end of the encloser. Thermostat is currently set to 93. Just using paper towels for substrate right now. What is the best way to raise the ambient? Do I turn that under tank heater up, or do I need to add a lamp? I covered one side of the mesh top of the encloser to help hold in heat and humidity
For that type of enclosure, overhead heating and a good substrate will be needed to maintain appropriate temps and humidity.
Any of mine that are in glass enclosures have a ceramic heat emitter regulated by a herpstat, and a thick layer of 45% ecoearth coconut husk, 45% coconut chunks and 10% sphagnum moss. Although I’ve mainly switched over to using the huge storage bins from target as they hold heat and humidity better
You could move your cage to a warmer room, turn up the house heat, use a room heater for a few days until you get the supplies needed to keep his ambient temp up, hot spot temp is fine like @ballornothing said 92 is the highest to go and don’t increase humidity or soak him yet, more humidity can exasperate a ri depending how bad/far along the infection is!
I can go get a cermic heat emitter for him today, but the thermostat I have is a reptitemp. Would that same thermostat work, just swtching thecermaic heater for the under tank heater? And moving the sensor to the inside of the tank obviously
Looks like my local place also has eco earth cocnut fiber substrate and I have some moss arriving from amazon tomorrow
Ok. Ceramic heater installed. It is now around 91 on his warm side and about 79 on the opposite end. I will work on the new substrate tomorrow. Thanks again everyone!
Just out of curiosity, you said huge storage bins but could you please give me the dimensions?
Thanks Hilary!
Glass is the worst and hardest to keep settings good. Sounds like you already have the top covered. Covering it almost completely would help keep the heat in. Just leave the area around the light or heat open. Placing a towel/blanket over the back and side will also help. I would cover half it the tank (cold side) with it.
He seems much happier now and does not seem to be getting any worse. Will update everyone after his appointment Monday.
Update: Vet says that overall Reggie looks great! They did hear some weezing so they are going to do a couple weeks of antibiotics. Thanks again everyone!
Well Jeremy that’s certainly great news! I’m so glad that the vet prescribed antibiotics for him though. Maybe he will be able to relax with his head down soon! Thank you for the update!