Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've recently acquired a Ringed Python and it's a beauty! Seems he/she's developed an upper respiratory problem. The Vet decided not to do anything but had us up the temperatures in the enclosure. Temps have been aaround 90 on the warm side/80 on the cool. After a week, he/she's still "wheezing" and blowing bubbles. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.
~Reptimom

Rings are very interesting pythons. Like any tropical snake, they can get respiratory infections when captive conditions are too cold for an extended period. Probably the person who had the snake before you let this happen?. (Was it the snake on the classifieds recently?)

Anyway, I would contact the vet again. Sometimes extended temps will help, but for many tropical animals that have had an infection for awhile, meds are required. I've used Baytril with success on a sick boa and a sick spotted python. Both recovered. The vet would know the dosage.

I would recommend Baytril at a dose of 10 mg/kg administered orally with a feeding tube. Baytril is the best drug available for reptile respiratory ailments, altough it can cause some skin damage at the site of injection. It is very easy to suspend the proper dosage in water and administer via feeding tube and works just as well.
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Matt & Nicci Turner
www.selectiveorigins.com

I agree: Ringed Pythons are fascinating! Thank you both for the advice. Looks like there's a Vet visit in our future. Thanks again!
~Reptimom