Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I picked up a Burm yesterday that has a pretty bad respiratory infection. I have a vet visit scheduled for Thursday evening, but was wondering if there is anything that I can do until then to help him out. Should I do anything differently with the typical temp and humidity requirements while he's fighting the infection? I'm sure the vet will fill me in on Thursday, but just wanted to ask.....and vent.
I feel really bad for him....He is wheezing and opens his mouth a third of the way pretty often (I assume to catch his breath). I wasn't really able to find out anything about his past though. I do know that he's gone through at least three owners, but I wasn't able to determine his age. I'm guessing that he's between two or three years. I know that they can reach his 9 foot plus size within a year, but he is underweight, and I'm just assuming that he wasn't fed a consistant healthy diet. I feel pretty confident that this will probably be his first visit to a vet. None of the previous owners appear to have been able to provide a descent living enclosure or stable diet so I seriously doubt they had money for vet bills either. I don't understand how people can feel comfortable purchasing an animal that they will be required to be the sole provider for...(enclosures, correct temp range, humidity, stable diet, fresh water, vet visits, etc), and not even look into their own financial and personal situations to make sure that they will be able to, or want to handle it.
Well, anyway....sorry for going on forever here, I'm just going to do my very best to get him fixed up and provide him a long, healthy and happy life.

Rattler, the first thing you might wanna do is raise the temp up to 90 degrees. It may help. Probably wouldn't hurt to try and feed him if he's underfed. I'm glad it got into the hands of someone who can take better care of him. As far as why people do this, I think it has alot to do with the very low cost of purchasing a big snake. Burms and Retics are both to underpriced as far as I'm concerned. At the right place you can get either for 50 bucks or less. It's sad, but a reality. Good luck with him.

yea..definetly raise the temps to 90-95 on the hot..and take lots of cash with you to the vet.
seriously though..good move on the vet...they will get it fixed right up

I agree that raising the warm side of the cage is a good idea. Snakes can't create their own fever, an important part in fighting off pathogens. If feeding this guy use a small prey item as risking regurgitation is the last thing this guy needs at this point. Humidity needs to be monitored and withen normal limits. If this guy tolerates handling well, it is also beneficial to keep the nasal area clean; a light wipe with a moist cloth is fine enough. He's probably going through alot right now with a new home and all (fine as it is), so stress is also depriving this guy and needs to be limited.

As an aside, because it doesn't apply on such short notice, but medical insurance is available for pets as it is humans. Do a search on pet insurance and at least one company will insure herps (I bet you have more in the USA, I'm in Canada). I won't get started on vet fees, but keep in mind that the expertise used is at least equalled to all but the most advanced human care.

Thanks to all for the advise....I jumped up the temps on the warm side. He is a typical burm (pretty easy to deal with) so I will try and keep the nostrils cleaned up. I noticed that he is rubbing his nose on the cage so I'm sure it's bothering him. Hopefully keeping the buildup cleaned up will releive his stress a little bit. I didn't realize that I could get insurance on pets....Will have to check into that.

also in addition to raising the temps like both previous posters said it helps a lot to raise the humidity up to about 85%. It will help prevent his lungs from dring out anymore. Todd

OK.....It's hanging between 60 and 70 right now. I'll try and get it up a bit.

what type of cage are you housing it in? you probably already said.. but i would definately raise the temps and the humididty. i had to do the same thing with a carpet python and a burm that had horrible RI's and they got over it in about 1 week. if you are housing it in a large aquarium with a screen lid or a cage with alot of ventilation i would close it off to help keep the humidity up as well as the temps, shower curtains work great.