Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a male blonde trans pecos rat snake that is about 5 feet. He recently got a minor respiratory infection. It's not a bad infection yet. He's just doing a little bit of gaping at the mouth and you can hear him breath every now and then. There is no fluid coming out of his mouth and he is still very strong and active. I called the dealer I got him from and he told me what I should do. I keep him in a rubermaid. He told me to cover up some of the holes but leave enough so he doesn't suffocate. After I covered up the holes I turned his heating pad from low to medium. After that I gave him and the enclosure a heavy misting to where it would condensate on side of the tub. He said to keep the humidity up until he was better. He said that I would notice when he was better and after he was back to normal that I could fix his enclosure back to normal and resume feeding. He said it might take 1-2 weeks. Does this all make sence and will it work? Thanks and please let me know.

Well... theoretically, a problem with the enclosure might have caused the URI in the first place, so returning it to normal might just cause the same problem over again. Then again, what was your humidity prior? Humidity that's TOO high can be just as bad as it being too low. But if the snake's getting sick you definately need to check the parameters, both heat and humidity.
But it's true that at this point you may be able to help the snake without a vet. Just keep a close eye on him. If you see any discharge or he really seems to be struggling to breathe, take him in right away.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

I would take him in anyway and nip it in the bud. Why give it a chance to turn into something worse? Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry