Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my banded California king snake for about 9 months now. He was always great at eating every Saturday.

This Saturday he didn't eat! I found it really strange. I woke up this morning, Sunday, noticing he was 'clicking' when breathing sometimes and was taking some deep breaths. There is no mucus coming from his mouth or nose, but he seems sluggish.

Someone said it was a respitory problem, and I think it is, but how serious is this?

I turned the heat up to around 85 degrees constantly in the cage at the coolest spot and i've put the cage in a very dark, quiet place so he can rest.

I'm not sure what else to do! The cage is never humid and I clean it once a week. He was fine till yesterday when he didn't eat. Last time he ate was 8 days ago.

Please help!

I wouldn't worry about him not eating at the moment.

For the symptoms, you have two options.

1)Plan A should be to take it to the vet. It's the safest route.

2)Plan B is to sit on it, and watch to see if it gets better with a bit of husbandry tweeking. Be prepared for a quick switch to Plan A though. If things don't get better in a day or two, they'll likely be getting worse whether you can tell or not.
As per your husbandry, what was the hot spot temperature for your snake? Was it allowed to raise it's temp into the 90's if it so chose to? Is the oral cavity nice and clean? Any debris or mucous?

Good luck with this

Ian

Ian, Thanks for the reply.

No, there is no mucus and his mouth is clean looking, tongue as well. He's still breathing a bit hard and clicking when breathing, but he seems more alert today. It's been 3 days now so I have called a vet.

As far as the cage goes, he has a heating pad under the cage that makes a good sized basking spot for him that's around 90 degrees, though I have never seen him stay in there for very long. I raised the cage temp to 85. It was 80 on the warm end(minus the basking spot) and 72-75 at the coldest spot.

Also, I don't think it's helping him any that he's shedding at the moment. His eyes are all grey and he should shed by tommorow. Another stress put on him, ugh.

I'm frustrated right now, however, because I have called 8 vets and they have all given me the run around or told me they are not taking any more clients! My snake is sick! I can't wait a month to get a diagnosis!

Waiting on this one to call me back right now. Crossing my fingers.