Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About two weeks ago, I raised the humidity because Daphne was in shed. During that time, I noticed that sometimes when she breathed, there would be a soft whistly sound. I only heard it a couple of times, but when I had her out a few days ago, she whistled some more.

Also about two weeks ago, I had Daphne out and she started crawling down the chair. As I was picking her back up, she opened her mouth and I ended up with a clear, slightly viscous liquid all over my pants and all over the chair. I assumed it was water and that she had just taken a drink before I got her out, but could it be a sign of RI?

what do you think?

and for RI, should I raise or lower the humidity/temp? ehhh I feel kind of foolish now *sighs*

I'm looking for a herp vet in my area and I hope I can get Daphne good and healthy again.
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.Owen.:.

Go Tulane Green Wave!

"That Owen kid...man...he really loves that snake of his." ~Owen

0.1 red blood python (Daphne)
1.1 Borneo pythons (Augmented and Diminished)
1.0 Okeetee corn snake (Ozzy)
0.1 ball python (Caroline)
0.1 common snapping turtle (Fluffy)
0.1 Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle (Smeagol)
1.0 fish (Hannibal)
1.1 dogs (Beowulf and Honeysuckle)

Owen,from my past experience of R.I. a bubbly mucose from the mouth and nose is USUALLY accompanied by OPEN MOUTH BREATHING.When you open her moth there should be abubbly mucose if not it's just water.Just in case TURN UP the temps and lower the humidity.Yes,that's right.I have always lowered the humidity it has worked for me .I haved snakes cleared up within one week.I hope she doesn't have R.I.

For treating the onset of RI I have heard to lower or to raise the hunidity from many knowledgeable snake keepers. The only thing that seems to be in agreement is to raise the heat. I prefer to raise the humidity and this has worked very well for me in treating RI with pythons as dry air can be one of the causes of RI. Bill.

Hey,
Though I agree that bubbly (stringy, sheeting, mucous) viscous discharge from the mouth, is usually a good indicator that the snake might be suffering from a bout of URI, it is not always the case, and the animal should be looked at closely, to be sure that the symptoms are not being confused with regurgitated water. Some animals do exhibit milder signs of an URI, by drooling or coughing with no mouth gaping what so ever, and again, the mouth must be examined for wet and drooling signs that might otherwise go unnoticed. When wrapping your fingers gently around the throat of the snake, and pressing into the throat (gently), you hear a gurgling sound, that is a tale-tell sign of an URI.

I have recently treated two separate cases of RI, with anitbiotics and high heat on one animal. The one animal being treated with the high heat, is still showing some signs of drooling, however this particular animal is also, being treated for a stomatitis, and was put on Fortaz (Ceftazidime). The other black blood, also being treated was not put on high heat, which is the preferred method barring antibiotic use. Albeit, the second bloods cage, did not allow for me to elliminate the gradient, and she was subsequently put on Amikacin and has since recovered.

The second animal contracted the URI, by aspiration of vomitus into the trachea. Vomitus is laden with bacteria that can cause a host of symptoms not related to an animal being put into a cold situation, and can contract an URI, in that way. In either case, the two are being treated for URI, with antibiotics. I must point out though, that if you have the proper means to heat a cage with no gradient, and can increase the heat properly to within 87-90, over-all, then that would be the better and safer route to take and if antibiotics can be avoided that would be the way to go. Again, the cases are all relative and a good vet should be consulted should there be any indication that the animal is not showing signs of recovery with the heat treatment.

It is important to know the signs and know what to look for, and also, know when you are out-gunned by a tenacious case of URI.
-Angel
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"Until we lose our self, there is no way of finding our self."
-Henry Miller.

Hey,
For RI, you should not have a gradient within the enclosure as the cooler side will usually keep the infection from abating, and can even cause it to not heal at all. So an overall temperature of 89-90 degrees is recommended for the enclosure until you see signs that she is on the mend.
-Angel
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"Until we lose our self, there is no way of finding our self."
-Henry Miller.