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our ball is acting strange

isa3324ky Feb 21, 2008 12:48 PM

I am concerned that she can't see. We treated her for mites three different times (last time about 2-3wks ago) She(?) hasn't eaten in 8 weeks. The mice just crawl around and the last time she even tried to strike, she hit a rock. She rubs her head up and down the glass rolling her mouth open sideways. She does this yawning thing 1/2 way and curls up with her head straight up. Her eyes look all black. I was told that the betadine bath and mineral oil would do the trick w/the mites and not hurt her. Now I'm not so sure. She is 1yo. I was told not to worry until she hasn't eaten for 5mo. That seems long to me. She never had a problem eating weekly. She only likes live white mice. Won't eat the dark ones or dead ones. but now, none at all. please help us.

Replies (4)

winnipeguy Feb 21, 2008 01:53 PM

Some of those symptoms seem like a respiratory infection. (ie. "yawning", rubbing her face, and poor balance shown by missing her target). Also, I have seen Balls with stuck eyecaps that appear to have black eyes. Tell us about your husbandry, in detail. What type of enclosure, screen top, temps on both sides, humidity, how long between mite treatments, etc.
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James.....
"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought the beast back."

winnipeguy Feb 21, 2008 01:58 PM

look for other symptoms you may have missed. Bubbles from the nose, wheezing or whistling when she breathes, condition of her vent ("gaping", any build up of feces or blood, etc). I'd also inspect her very closely for any signs that she may still have mites. If her enclosure was left with even one of those little buggers after you treated her, she will have them all over again.
-----
James.....
"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought the beast back."

j3nnay Feb 21, 2008 09:26 PM

Betadine bath and mineral oil?! I haven't heard of that.

The best treatment for mites is a good long soak in lukewarm water that's less than 1/2" deep, in addition to provent-a-mite in the cage (follow directions on the label), and maybe some reptile relief on the snake. Provent-a-mite and reptile relief are both perfectly safe to use on your snake, provided you follow the directions.

Don't worry about her not eating until she starts to look thin. If you begin to see a prominent backbone, then worry.

Like winnie said, the symptoms you are describing sound more like a respiratory infection than blindness. Check for drool or bubbles in the mouth, and if there's drool or bubbles...take the snake to a vet.

Black eyes on a ball python are pretty normal colored eyes. Yes, check for an unshed eye cap just in case, but my guess is that the issues are from an RI.

Make sure to offer the mouse only once a week, and only for 15-30 minutes at a time. You don't want to stress the snake out by leaving in the mouse too long, especially if its alive and crawling on it. Imagine if your dinner crawled on you when you weren't feeling hungry!

~jenny
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"Polysyllabism in no way insures that what you're saying is actually worth being heard." - Blake (an e-friend of mine)

"I have never made but one prayer to god, a very short one: "O lord, make my enemies ridiculous." And he granted it." - Voltaire

isa3324ky Feb 22, 2008 07:55 AM

There is no drool or bubbles or fluid when she rubs the glass.
Nothing abnormal looking anywhere on her. I haven't seen any mites after this last treatment. As for Batedine bath/mineral oil rub, I found this treatment under Ask:snake mites, one thing lead to another and there it was.
As far as RI, do they hold their head up straight? She points up when curled and looks uncomfortable. We don't hear anything weezing or any sounds really. I feel so dumb and helpless. Our boa had no probs (27y ago). Now, my 14yo son thinks I should know these things.... We are perplexed for sure. With all the "experts" out there, it's scary. How do we find a "good" vet?.

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