Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have many snakes ranging from Green Ananconda to Burmese Python to a Ball Python. With my largest Burm who is now 13' and who I recently rescued there seems to be a problem. Her hissing seems normal but at times there is this gurggling sound and she opens her mouth seemingly in an effort to breathe easier. I also noticed a mucus of some kind. Just as an FYI she is currently in a 8x4x4 enclosure, minimal ventilation and heat gradient ranges from 92 in day and 79 at night with a 100 deg basking spot. I am sure her living conditions ar up to par. My concern lies with her condition before I rescued her. My next step is going to a herp vet, still I figured I would check here first. Any info provided would be greatly appreciated.

1.0.0 African Rock Python
0.1.0 Green Anaconda
0.1.0 Tiger Reticulated Python
1.2.0 Burmese Python
0.1.0 Albino Burmese Python
1.1.0 Colombian RT Boa (BCI)
1.0.0 Royal Ball Python
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon
1.0.0 Nile Monitor

I'm not trying to discourage you from taking it to a vet but I'm a firm believer in natural healing, without antibiotics, etc, if conditions aren't life threatening. It sounds to me that your snake's conditions are still in a fairly early stage.

Many people, including myself, have cured URIs by increasing the overall cage temps to the upper range of acceptable temperatures. That's the one area that's commonly agreed on.

There's another area, humidity, that isn't always agreed on. Some say to increase humidity, which is my belief, while others say to reduce humidity. Both techniques seem to work so the underlying curing factor appears to be the heat.

I suggest raising temps to 95 on the hot end and low 80s (82-83)on the cool end. Temps for areas between hot/cool ends should be within that range, not higher or lower (proper thermal gradient). I also suggest increasing humidity to 60 - 65%. Eliminate night time temp drops.

You should notice a difference within 2 - 3 days but it could take as long as two weeks to fully cure.

Keep the snake fed & with plenty of drinking water. This will all go towards building up it's natural immune system, naturally.

Keep us posted, please.

Hang in there!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

I forgot to say that if increasing humidity means spraying/misting enclosure, don't spray the snake or allow water or moisture to puddle around, near, the snake. Placing large water bowl under heat source of hot end can work wonders sometimes.

Remember, it's the moisture content of the air that's important.

Later!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

When in doubt, seek good veterinary council; it's invaluable for the long term health of the animal. R.I. can be a lifelong chronic problem if not taken care of early on. There are times when antibiotics are critical to eradicate this problem. BUT, providing the right environment is imperative to have a healthy animal. As HH said, moderately high temps accompanied by high ambient humidity levels (w/out sacrificing air flow) will help ward off the problem. This will go a long way towards recovery but if the infection is too far along, antibiotics will be needed. We've had excellent success with Fortaz.

Rob Carmichael

>>I have many snakes ranging from Green Ananconda to Burmese Python to a Ball Python. With my largest Burm who is now 13' and who I recently rescued there seems to be a problem. Her hissing seems normal but at times there is this gurggling sound and she opens her mouth seemingly in an effort to breathe easier. I also noticed a mucus of some kind. Just as an FYI she is currently in a 8x4x4 enclosure, minimal ventilation and heat gradient ranges from 92 in day and 79 at night with a 100 deg basking spot. I am sure her living conditions ar up to par. My concern lies with her condition before I rescued her. My next step is going to a herp vet, still I figured I would check here first. Any info provided would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>>1.0.0 African Rock Python
>>0.1.0 Green Anaconda
>>0.1.0 Tiger Reticulated Python
>>1.2.0 Burmese Python
>>0.1.0 Albino Burmese Python
>>1.1.0 Colombian RT Boa (BCI)
>>1.0.0 Royal Ball Python
>>1.0.0 Bearded Dragon
>>1.0.0 Nile Monitor
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL