ball python respitory infection

[texaschaos]

i have a 2 year old cinnimon ball.. she has had her mouth open and has had problems breathing.. i took her to my vet and she said she has respitory infection. she told me to give her antibiotic shots every three days, replace the bedding with newspaper and separate her from the other snakes, and keep it really warm.. does anyone have any other suggestions or anything to help me? this is my first time dealign with this..

[LadyViper]

Sounds right except I would probably replace the bedding with towels, but I would have to ask myself "How did my snake get the infection", It may be nothing that could have been avoided but, a double check never hurts. I hope your snake gets better soon. Cinninmon balls are beautiful.

What kind of inclosesure do you have?
What kind of substrate do you use?
What is the room temp and the cage temp.?

[LadyViper]

BTW, if you have any questions about vet care. Dr. White is one of the best reptile vets in Houston. 713-789-8320... www.briarcrestvet.com

[texaschaos]

just put regular towels in there? she is about 2.5 or 3 feet, i just put her in my spare tank which is a ten gallon. the usual tank is a 40 long. i use the white snow bedding. how warm shound i keep it. i moved the tank from my garage to my room. i dont have a thermostat so the temperature is not constant. i just ordered a thermostat. i have a underpad heater and 2 noctournal heat lamps.. how would she get the infection.? would it be the temerature changing, the humidity changing? i am new to all of this so any help would be great.

[LadyViper]

I think the weather changing may have played into your snake getting sick if your keeping it in the garage. However, if your garage is climate controled that wouldn't be true. Your snake got sick for the same reasons probably a human could. Your snake caught a cold just like any of us could. Temps not consistant or got to cold, or to wet.

I was refering to regular bath towels, they can be washed daily if needed.

Your snake should have a hot or basking area of atleast 95 degrees and cooler side to regulate itself. Themostate can be purchase for a few dollars at any pet store. I use the digital kind that cost around 8.00 dollars at petsmart.

I use snake approved aspen bedding for my balls. You can also use repti-bark or cypress mulch if your on a budget. I am not sure what snow white bedding is, but I wouldn't use anything but, the kinds I mentioned and they are not exspensive.

I think a undertank heater and 2 heat lamps on a ten gal would be so hot it could kill your snake. Be careful not to over heat your snake too.

Keep us posted on your snakes progress...

[texaschaos]

i just bought a thermostat it was 35 dollars.. i have a digital thermometer in the middle of the tank and i try to keep it about 80- 85. in the ten gallon i have one 75 watt infered bulb, and a undertank heater. shoud i get two thermometers one for the warm side and one for the other? and the warm side needs to be 95. i have them in my room now and i was wondering if the ceiling fan will dry them out. the cages have screen tops. i ahve been putting a towel over most of the top. the bedding is called desert snow i got it from fosters and smith

[Viper]

The fan may dry her out. However, the big culprit this stime of year is your home heat. Heting dries out the air, so you may want to give her a soak every week or so, especially if you notice her having and stubborn sheds. You can also use clean cypress mulch for the substrate (make sure it is pure cypress with no dyes, oils, cedar, or pine) which will help hold humidity if you lightly mist it every couple of days.

But be careful covering her enclosure. Fresh air is important, too.

Also watch keeping the tank near a window. A cold window will suck the heat through the glass.

And, yes, a thermometer at each end is a good idea. They are pretty cheap.

Hope this helps.

V

[texaschaos]

ya it does.. thank you so much.. i have been soaking her every other day since she got sick.. the vet said to use warm water.. so whould i try to cover the top at night when i have the fan on?

[LadyViper]

If you need to sleep with the fan on, I would say yes cover the tank only at night, but be sure to take it off daily. I am still concerned about an under tank heater and a heat lamp on a ten gallon. please watch the temps. closely.