Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know most of the symptoms of RI(I think). My friend thinks my new ball may have a ri. The ball holds his head up but it could have been in a defensive position. There is no discharge from his mouth but his breathing is heavy. I wasn't sure it this was just something with bp because I have only had a corn snake. I would like to help the snake instead of bring it back. What do I do to help it out and does this sould like a ri?

Do you hear wheezing? is the snake eating still? is the snakes head up all the time? there is another disease that symptom is star gazing INCLUSION BODY DISEASE VIRUS or IBD. might read some stuff on the internet and see if it could be that.

It sounds like the start of a RI. No discharge is a good thing.
Go to a plant store, or pet store and get a bag of sphagnum moss(around $5), soak a large hand full in warm water for a few minutes, then RING OUT ALL THE WATER, so it is damp but not wet, when you squeeze it no more water should drip out. Place some in your snake's hide box and spread the rest around the cage, repeat this every day or every other day, depending on how fast your moss is drying out, the moss usually stays moist for about two days, Don't let the moss dry out for to long a couple days in dry moss and that can make it's RI even worse. Also crank your heat up to 95-98 degrees. Keep this up for about two-three weeks, if it stops holding it's head up, and the heavy breathing stops, try to feed it a small meal. If you can't get moss you can try the same with paper towels. I had 3 balls fall victim to a RI this year and all have recovered beautifully. Good Luck!

Jay Cassidy

cavemanreptiles.com