Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How contageus is RI? I noticed one of my boas was really wizing(sp sorry) today so I took her to the vet she has RI. Thing is about 3 weeks ago I had put a male in there to see if he was interested, and now he is in with another female. These two show no intrest in mateing could they have gotten RI too? Should I get them on meds now? I have rasied the temp in the cages. any advice is very welcome thanks for your imput.

In a fully developed respiratory infection mucus comes out of the mouth and/or the nostrils. Loads of pathogenic germs are within this fluid and were spread all over the vivarium.

So a strict quarantine is crucial when a boa has developed a RI.

I lost 4 boas at one fell swoop 2 years ago because I housed them together during the breeding season. One developed a heavy RI. Since I disturb my animals as less as possible in the breeding season I noticed it too late. The female infected another female and two males.

The smear showed a very dangerous tribe of Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Although antibiotics were applied, the damage was too huge for a recovery.

Furthermore, in my experience a boa who has once developed a RI is not apt any longer for further breeding projects.
Boa constrictor

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Beware of Commies and Mutts!

It is pretty easy to transmit RI - depending on the strain of bacteria causing the infection. I wouldn't put the other boa on medication just yet. However, keep an extremely close eye on the male. Watch for any sign of wheezing, whistling noise, rattling noises in the lung cavities, or bubbling at the nose/mouth area. RI is very easily transmited through the mucus produced by the infection. I hope this helps.

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