Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Everyone,

I purchased a ball python and three days later it was spitting bubbles. I picked her up on when the temps were approx. 50deg and put her from the seller's car to mine where I had the temp blasting at max heat. She was in a rubbermaid with a towel wrapped around it 3 or 4 times. Drive time to my pre heated rack at 95deg was 15 mins.

The next day I fed her and she took a live crawler rat. Two days later like I said it was spitting bubbles.

My question is... what is the minimum time (considering my hot spot temp was 95deg 24/7 and it would be in that rack for the entire 3 days before it showed up) would it take for a RI to manifest itself to this stage of bubble blowing? PLEASE any information is more than greatly appreciated.

Thx
Dave

Is your snake getting any better with ideal husbandry returned?

Unfortunately looking for a timeline on RI developement is pretty shaky. The amount of variable factors is immeasurable. Are you asking if it is possible that this RI developed because of the transport? It is very likely. It doesn't take long for mucous build-up as it's the first line of defense to an irrited respiratory system. With that said, animals with RI's may go a while without any symptoms whatsoever, until something arrises like a cool day in that car, and then the festering infection explodes.

If I was in your situation I would be tempted to place blame on the seller, but I would also realize that it is very likely nothing wrong was done with the exception of a cool transport. Now you're faced with either asking for a return or refund which will depend on the integrity of the seller, or decide to keep the snake as your own and deal with the RI. It sounds like you probably caught it early, so treatment should go well, and shouldn't cost you too much.

If the snake doesn't turn around after a day or too of higher temps, then a vet visit is your best decision.

Good luck !

Ian

This is one of two.

Once I recieved her she spent 15mins max (with the heat in the cart blasting at 90deg F) in the car before she was put in her 95deg F preheated rack (I preheated the rack 3 days before and was holding a steady 94-95deg F hotspot and a 80deg F cool spot 24/7. There were two water dishes, one at the hot end one in the middle of the container. I'll get more of the time line down and post again. In the mean time if anyone has any info please fire away.

Thx
Dave

i know this si a little late, but maybe it will help others out there. i live in montreal quebec and we get some pretty nasty winter days here, and the safest way to transport in those conditions is to use a deep rubbermaid and fill the bottom with hot water bottles, and place a towel over it, then wrap your snake in the towel itself. it will minimize the cold exposure. i wouldnt take posession of a snake in cold weather that wasnt safely transported; something will go wrong, and vet bills are extremely expensive for treating herps

Ian