Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,
I have a sub adult male ball, I've had him for over a year and he's almost three feet long. I was holding, and this clear fluid started coming out of his nose pits and or mouth. This happened a few months ago, but before it was in a very small amount and I didn't worry about it. He "dripped" quite a bit this time. I was wondering if you all have any ideas about what it is/ what I should do? I am willing to take him to the vet, but won't spend more than $50 on him.

Thanks in advance,
Taylor

50 bucks! Are you serious? It's going to take a bit more money than that.

You should strongly reconsider aquiring anymore animals.

RayRay

Depends on where you live and what the snake has. I can get out of a vet's office for a URI for under that amount if it's not a complex problem.
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Eryx - All the fun of a boa in a convenient pocket size!

""""""I am willing to take him to the vet, but won't spend more than $50 on him. """""""

Good to see you care for your vets well being.

Maybe next time you should think about vet bills BEFORE you buy an animal.. Or better yet, house it properly to avoid vet bills.

Take it to the vet and pay what you need to pay to get it healthy. It's your responsiblity. And then rectify whatever living conditions caused this problem.

I sure hope you're kidding too.
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That is an absolutely disgusting attitude to have in response to a living thing. How would you like if you had pneumonia and your parents said we'll pay for your treatment up to $50, after that we'll just let you suffer til you die or if we can be bothered footing an extra bill we'll just kill you outright?! People like you shouldn't own animals.

I Agree Listen mr/mrs. put a price on a life the pneumonia analogy is perfect Do you realize that a Reptile can't cough that crap up or sneeze due to no diaphram in addition a snake only has one fully developed lung call it part of becoming snakes along time ago anyway point being that poor snake is Gradually Drowning on that crap thats literally filling it's lungs with fluid show alittle concern and compassion it's a living and in my opinnion intelligent creature that as also previously pointed out is totally dependant on you for it's survival My Vet Bill for Coffee which was a 12' Argentine Boa I rescued from someone who like you wanted to place a price on her life after breeding her and getting his money off the babies and leaving her outside in cold weather in a rabbit cage with no shelter or heat source I got her and took her to the vet and the vet charged me $40.00 to examine her and roughly $75.00 for the shots she had to have and she ultimately never recovered she just kept relapsing each time I took her back they like you are individuals and every life is precious I agree pay the cost what ever that may be where you live and have that snake treated
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Courtney1245

living animal completely dependent on you isn't it?
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Rob Talkington

Did you hold him after he drank water subsequent to a dry water bowl? Snakes almost never drip fluids during resp infections unless they just drank water prior to the exam - respiratory secretions during infections are too thick to actually "drip" except in unusual circumstances. Additionally there will be obvious signs of respiratory distress; mouth breathing, head held up often in vertical position, crepitation (sounds of fluids in trachea/lungs in bad cases), restlessness.

Again, if imbibed water (very recently drunk) MIXES with respiratory secretions you may get dripping when the snakes head/neck is held in the down position. Barring this situation there will be mimimal or no dripping. Also, during the restlessness of an active resp infection the snake will smear secretions on the sides/front glass. This mucus will dry leaving residues of mucopolysaccharides/bacteria, and it is infectious. These mps's are what make the secretions thick and in MOST cases too thick to actual drip.

If infections are caught early thermotherapy (raising the temp to the upper limit of the preferred temp range) is usually sufficient to nip the resp infection in the bud. For a BP this would be low-mid 90's. This should be done regardless of antibiotic treatment.

Hope this helps and good luck!
Scott J. Michaels DVM

I don't think he had drank prior to me holding him (and in any case he always has water available), but none of the other signs of a respiratory infection are present. I'm going to up the temps some, and hold him a good bit and see if it happens again. If not, I'll go back to normal. Thanks very much.
As for the rest of you... I figured when I put down the cost I'm willing to spend I'd get a few insulting replies about my "cheapness," but it is a bit ridiculous for some of things you said. I've had tons of animals, of tons of different species (mostly not reptiles), and pride myself in taking top notch, pracical care of all of them. I want to emphasize practical, because I have a certain value for each of my animals, and wouldn't exceed that limit. I love them, but if they can't pull through with good care, I just can't afford more. That's just the way I and my family lives. We drive practical, efficient cars, make good investments, and get a few animals, take good care of them, and when their time comes to go that is it.
For future reference, I was looking for some things I could do short of a vet trip, as that is not always necessary. Not insults on my care etc... Thanks again to the guy who replied with some helpful info.

Taylor

Your philosophy is deranged.

Your value of life is VERY skewed.

I'm extremely fortunate i'm not in your family, pet or otherwise.

RayRay

p.s You love your animals about as much as Richard Simmons loves women. Your a disgrace.

Please do the reptiles or any other animal a huge favor and do not bring them home! You say your whole family believes this way?

So what happens if you get sick or another family member does do you just send each other on there way to suffer!!!!

Give me a break, adopt all your reptiles out to homes that will take proper care of them.

No, because human beings are very different than animals. Animals have one life, here, and when they die they're gone. Human beings have souls, and are treated accordingly. I'll live in a cardboard box before I'll let one of my family members not get the best medical care or whatever. Animals are different, especially $30 ball pythons. I'm not going to reply to the other guy.

You can Believe what you want small minded one But Animals do have spirits contrary to your perception that mentality has be perpetuated by people for decades centuries for that matter to make themselves feel superior and in alot of ways we are infact inferior Animals don't kill each other for the hell of it or destroy the enviroment by producing noxious chemicals nor do they stab each other in the back for monetary gains the only time they kill is for survival and most of the time peacefully co exist I agree you don't need pets
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Courtney1245

$50.00 huh? How about I take that sweet little "$30.00" snake off your hands for you. I'll even give you the whole $50.00 that you are "willing" to spend on it. Look at it this way, you can take the $20.00 that you will make off of this deal and take your modest family out to a modest dinner at McDonalds. I'll even throw in some fries. You should seriously think about not owning reptiles, I treat mine as members of the family...not disposable objects. Shame on you.
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annjaret

"When I die, I want to come back as one of my animals."

AMEN TO THAT!!!!!!!!!! I second that motion
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Courtney1245