Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My female BRB has started drooling, is that normal for BRBs?

Specs of the cage: melamine enclosure that is 24" x 48" x 20" tall, heat pad (self adhesive under melamine) at one end of cage, 150 watt basking lamp at other, coconut bark chunks soaked with water as substrate, 75-80% humidity, 70 degrees on cool side, 78-80 degrees on warm side. Night temps dropping to about 66-68 degrees. A hide made from a large Rubbermaid shoe box filled with moist sphagnum moss with 3" entry hole and several 1/4" holes for ventilation that sits 1/2 way between warm and cool side. Glass doors with a 3/32 inch gap to allow air movement. Also 2 vents at either end that are adjustable to allow further air movement if needed (they are almost fully closed to keep humidity up). A large water bowl is located on the cool side right above the heat pad.

Another note: I do not run the heat pad and spot at the same time, at least not for a long period of time. I run the light on a timer during the day, and overlap the heat pad for the last few hours to get it up to temp before the light shuts off

Snake specs: female is about 4-1/2 feet long around 2-1/2 years old and I noticed today that she is starting to shed (turning hazy) but was drooling for about a week prior.

Male is about 5 feet long wild caught, so I don't know his age.

I transferred the pair into this cage about 10 days ago, and the male has eaten one med/large rat since then. The female has not eaten at all since the transfer. (I think it is due to the shed)

That is all of the info I can think of, any ideas why she would be drooling?

Thanks in advance for any advice, (sorry so long)

Matt

It could be excess saliva produced by a respiratory infection, or it could be just her individual quirk...Melissa Kaplan has noted that her burmese python would drool when it was tired of her handling it, but it had no illness, just liked to drool...this doesn't sound like your case. I would ask Jeff Clark, he might know.

Matt,
. My BRBs never seem to drool. They will spit water back up if they get picked up with their heads low right after they take a drink. When they have respiratory infections they usually have watery exudate from their mouth and nostrils. Respiratory infections in snakes often clear up with a slight increase in cage temps. I have had good luck using Amikacin to treat respiratory infections in snakes. Many good herp vets use Amikacin or Baytril treating respiratory infections. You covered ALL the DETAILS in your description of the problem)
Good luck,
Jeff

>>My female BRB has started drooling, is that normal for BRBs?
>>
>> Specs of the cage: melamine enclosure that is 24" x 48" x 20" tall, heat pad (self adhesive under melamine) at one end of cage, 150 watt basking lamp at other, coconut bark chunks soaked with water as substrate, 75-80% humidity, 70 degrees on cool side, 78-80 degrees on warm side. Night temps dropping to about 66-68 degrees. A hide made from a large Rubbermaid shoe box filled with moist sphagnum moss with 3" entry hole and several 1/4" holes for ventilation that sits 1/2 way between warm and cool side. Glass doors with a 3/32 inch gap to allow air movement. Also 2 vents at either end that are adjustable to allow further air movement if needed (they are almost fully closed to keep humidity up). A large water bowl is located on the cool side right above the heat pad.
>>
>>Another note: I do not run the heat pad and spot at the same time, at least not for a long period of time. I run the light on a timer during the day, and overlap the heat pad for the last few hours to get it up to temp before the light shuts off
>>
>>Snake specs: female is about 4-1/2 feet long around 2-1/2 years old and I noticed today that she is starting to shed (turning hazy) but was drooling for about a week prior.
>>
>>Male is about 5 feet long wild caught, so I don't know his age.
>>
>>I transferred the pair into this cage about 10 days ago, and the male has eaten one med/large rat since then. The female has not eaten at all since the transfer. (I think it is due to the shed)
>>
>>That is all of the info I can think of, any ideas why she would be drooling?
>>
>>Thanks in advance for any advice, (sorry so long)
>>
>>Matt

Except, I don't know as much as him. A roommate I once had owned a burmese with respiratory infection and we used amikacin.
The only indication it was sick was the drooling.

I also want to commend you because of all the specifics you provided. I see so many people who don't do that. They cannot get a proper response without doing so.

Linda

Matt,
Sounds like you have a nice setup. For that large an enclosure I would remove the 150w spot lamp (they do not need the bright light)and replace it with maybe a 100w spot incandescent night light (blue)and I would leave it and the heat pad on 24/7. I would want the warm side in that large of an enclosure around 80-85, the cool side should stay around 70 with the heat pad. If the cool side does get too warm then you could use a thermostat to adjust it. You can also adjust the wattages on the spot lamps for the optimal temps (or use a thermostat).Are there enough hides for two adults? I've found a thick layer of moss over the wood chips keeps the humidity high (and the wood chips damp) and also gives them many opportunities to hide. I think its getting too cool at night with just the heat pad.
Hope this helps,
Paul

i think jeff covered it...i just wanted to tell you how impressed i am with all the attention to detail. more herpers should stay awake. it's apparent you have your eye on the ball.

good luck, chris

Thank you for all the kind words. I have another question for all of you, She is still drooling, she did shed, and still has not eaten. She also has what appears to be a swollen throat. I talked to the breeder who I bought her from, and he said that the female she came from did pretty much the same thing when she was pregnant. I do keep the male and femle together, so I am guessing that it is possible....isn't it? She also has done some strange things since the shed. One day she spent 4-5 hours directly under the spot light. She later retreated to the hide. Any ideas regarding what she may be up to?

Oh, almost forgot, the drool... it is the consistency of jelly and is perfectly clear. What's up?