Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im in the process of making a vet appointment. In the meantime, does this sound like an RI or something worse? I have heard on the other forums of keepers finding their python/boa dead in its enclosure with a pool of gooey clear substance next to it. Anyone with knowledge of what this is??

Well I wont be able to get to the Vet till Saturday. But I discovered something interesting on a website. It states

"Some reptiles may exhibit signs of respiratory infection as a signal to you that they have been handled enough or want (or need) to be put down. My female Burmese python would start dripping saliva from her mouth in copious amounts when she'd decided she had had enough out and handling time at education events. When I saw the saliva start oozing from her mouth, I knew I needed to put her away off exhibit immediately."

I didnt handle him barely at all when it happened, but all of the sudden a ton of liquid started dripping out. Also, I havent really heard any wheezing. Maybe here and there, but it doesnt seem to be the standard wheezing associated with an RI. I hope my case is the same as the one that the author of the article mentioned.

In my experience any liquid coming from the mouth or nose is a sure sign of RI. Wheezing may not be present at the very beginning, but it will definately show up later. I know that mammals can "slobber" as a sign of nervousness, but I've never heard of a reptile that does that. Good luck. One of my balls has been suffering from RI for about 3 weeks now. Baytril shots just arn't helping as well as they normally do. Looks like its back to the vet for me.

1.1 DH snow columbians
0.1 Columbian boa
0.3 Ball Pythons
1.1 Borneo Bloods
2.2 Kenyans
0.0.18 03' kenyans
2 dogs
3 cats
1 ferret
1 wife (she's the meanest one I have

Well i experienced this this yr when my 10 1/2 yr old boa passed away .She had gotten a RI in december last yr when power was lost for a few days and i was out of town. She was also gravid well VERY GRAVID so i did minimal medications and upped her heat .After giving birth to 42 healthy babies she passed away 2 weeks later .it was as if she knew she had to deliver healthy babies so used up her energy and health to do that with 99.9% succes only had 2 slugs and 2 still bor with 42 babies .The night before she passed away i founda very large totally clear mass of fuilds in her cage substrate i was panicked but could do nothing i thought maybe she had passed a large mucus deposit . thenext morning my Baby was gone. hopefully it was nothing but between her and a rescue suri i had they both had a large clear mucus deposit before the passed away . i hope it is nothing but IMO be prepared for the worst .
Good luck with you boa
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Thanks to you and the other person for youre responses. Sorry for your loss and hopefully I dont have to endure that with mine.
I began calming down a bit after more research but soon after I smelled a horribly foul odor and went to his enclosure to discover he just defacated really runny grayish brown feces in the corner of his cage. It had more of that clear gooey liquid surrounding it. Looks pretty bad.
The sense of urgency has now increased and Im forced to miss work tomorrow to take him to the vet. Ill post an update for those who may be interested in the diagnosis/outcome. Thanks.

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1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa "Gimli"
0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer "Kira"

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