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We've had the vet do every test I can think of. Fecals, CBC, more blood work, x-rays and a barium study. No diagnosis.

Now tonight after her shot (Fortaz, 1cc, every 3 days)and right before I clamped the lid down on her soaking box, I noticed her breathing. You could hear it clearly. The most troubling thing is I could hear both, her exhalations and inhalations. It's never happened before. Not both.

Something clearly been wrong, but now it's getting VERY scary. She's been on the meds for over a month now, I raised her temps (92-95 hot side, 77-81 coolside)and her humidity (it was believed the RI was caused by not enough humidity)and still no progress.

The next step, my vet said, is going to be exploratory surgery, an endoscopy. I don't want to do it if it's not neccesary, but at this point I just want to get her well again. It was painfull to sit there and listen to her struggle for breath. I don't know what to do. Any advice would be tremendously appreciated.

RayRay

p.s I took some video feed of it with my digital camera. I'm trying to figure out how to link it so everyone can hear it first hand.

Is this by chance a super tiger retic? I have learned that supers are more susceptible to URI's.

I would suggest Ray that you use strictly homeopathic treatment methods on this snake. Very high humidity (75%-85%), steady warm/hot temps (85-92 range) low stress, frequent feedings of smaller meals. (I suggest smaller meals so as to not physically affect the mucus pockets that are likely lodged in the airway in a possibly negative way). I have yet to see a snake actually cured by vet prescribed antibiotics in any permanent way when afflicted with an URI, but I have however experienced/witnessed long term success using homeopathic methods. I think it is much better ultimately to work on strengthening the snake's immune system rather than attempting to use antibiotics that were originally developed for use in other mammalian life forms. I think that a lot of these antibiotics can actually be very harmful to the snakes themselves and their vital organs.

>>We've had the vet do every test I can think of. Fecals, CBC, more blood work, x-rays and a barium study. No diagnosis.
>>
>>Now tonight after her shot (Fortaz, 1cc, every 3 days)and right before I clamped the lid down on her soaking box, I noticed her breathing. You could hear it clearly. The most troubling thing is I could hear both, her exhalations and inhalations. It's never happened before. Not both.
>>
>>Something clearly been wrong, but now it's getting VERY scary. She's been on the meds for over a month now, I raised her temps (92-95 hot side, 77-81 coolside)and her humidity (it was believed the RI was caused by not enough humidity)and still no progress.
>>
>>The next step, my vet said, is going to be exploratory surgery, an endoscopy. I don't want to do it if it's not neccesary, but at this point I just want to get her well again. It was painfull to sit there and listen to her struggle for breath. I don't know what to do. Any advice would be tremendously appreciated.
>>
>>RayRay
>>
>>p.s I took some video feed of it with my digital camera. I'm trying to figure out how to link it so everyone can hear it first hand.
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Believe in yourself and your abilities and you can accomplish anything.

Hmm im not experienced in this area.But where do you get homeopathic stuff Brian? my mom is a natural freak and does all that, but where do you get that stuff especially made for reptiles?

I have dealt with this with several Burmese who seem to be especially susceptible to URI. I live in Las Vegas and while I do everything to keep the humidity up, they still have problems, especially since they like to come out of their rooms.

They may not like it but you need to keep the heat at 90 degrees plus and high humidity. I treat with Amakacin Sulfate injections every two days. Your vet should have a weight administration table. I have it take as long as five months to clear up. The cultures that we have performed so far show that it is a Sudamonious Strain of bacteria.