Reptile & Amphibian Forums

HI guys,
Just wanted to run something by all of you and see what you think. I have an adult male JCP of unknown age. I have had him for 2 years myself and recently developed a problem.He got an RI in December when I cooled him to breed. I brought him to the vet and he was on antibiotics for 3 weeks. I brought him home and things were fine for about a month, then the RI returned so back to the vet he went again for another treatment. My vet is experienced with reptiles and was recommended by a reputable breeder(NERD). He came home again and a month later developed the RI again. My temps are as follows 86-88 on the hot side and about 78 as the ambient temperature although I raise them a little when he re-develops these symptoms. I reduced the amount of moisture per a recommendation from my Vet so I now keep my humidity at about 45%. My snake has another vet appointment this Friday and I was wondering if anyone had any Ideas, so I may point my vet in another direction, he also seems baffled.
Thanks for any thoughts,
Chris (CJinNH)

PS: attached is a picture of my boy with my wife from last year

thats a tough one. i was thinking maybe its allergic to the substrate but im sure that youve been using the same type since u got it. do you have any other pets (dogs, cats, etc) recently purchased or anything new in your home that could be a contributing factor? also, is that a pic taken last year or do you trade in your wife for a new one each year?
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0.0.1 Colombian Redtail Boa
1.1.1 Sumatran Blood Pythons
1.0 Black Blood Python
1.0 Dumeril's Boa
0.1 Coastal Carpet Python
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python

LOL, no I keep my wife, the pics is from last year.

I'm not an expert but you might try raising the temps on the warm side to the mide 90's. And I have found that at night they like to bask under a ceramic heat emitter or a night light. You can provide almost the same temps at night using either of the above just making sure that they have a cooler side. It sounds like something is triggering the ri to come back or maybe it never fully goes away. I know that you've heard this before, but I am a big believer in heat healing reptiles. If he's in a large cage you might want to put him in something smaller so you can more closely control the temps. If it's nice bring him outside and get him some excercise. Good luck, and let us know what happens.

I had an RI issue w/ my IJ that was resolved w/ high temps...just be sure to keep a cooler retreat available for him. Sounds like you're on the right track with the lower humidity. I've been told that it's not all that uncommon after brumation to have ri issues w/ Carpets. I've never bred them but hope to try next year. I've been reading these posts for months and have finally just "logged in". I'm thinking we live in the same area. I'm in Brentwood right over the Fremont line... you in Fremont??
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JOHN H in NH

yeah I live in Fremont, off of Beede hill rd.

Small world.I'm on Middle Rd. between 107 and 125. You're waiting on eggs to hatch aren't you??
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JOHN H in NH

yeah I have 12 JCP eggs due to hatch on or about the 14th of July, I am a month into this and they are still looking good so I am keeping my fingers crossed, I am going to keep my nicest pair for pets, and I think the rest are spoken for, I also have ball python eggs due about 3 weeks after those. You can email me at mrcelica4u2002@yahoo.com if you want

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1.0 Malagasy Giant Hognose
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
0.1 Guyana Red Tail Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.0 Black Milksnake
0.0.1 Tiger Rat Snake (Spilotes)
0.0.1 Blue Tongue Skink
1.0 White Lipped Python (Black phase)