Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This isn't something that I'm dealing with currently, but rather a question I'm wondering from two posts below:
Regardless of the medication that's being used, I know to turn up the temperatures in the cage, but I see a split in opinions on raising or lowering the humidity. I'm curious to know the reasons for each opinion. I used to think that lowering the humidity would help to "dry up" the infection, but then I know that when I have sinus problems, a steamy shower does wonders.
I've seen post advising people to do both about equally as much, so I wonder, which is really best?
-----
--aka DMOG68

I'm by no means an expert when it comes to Boas, but I know raising the humidity works for Ball pythons and Burms. Could very well be different with Boas. If I'm wrong, I'll certainly stand corrected.

Quig

I just got done dealing with a resp infection in my albino boa. I increased the temp and decreased the humidity. I also gave antibiotics and the infection is now gone. My opinion is to dry it up. I am no expert though.

Yes,I too have had success in LOWERING the HUMIDITY.I think drying up the air dries up the mucus and the virus. Ash Lopez
-----

Respiratory infections are not generally caused by a virus. If they are you're screwed and will see recurrent RI's, poor weight, appetite, and eventual death.

Since most RI's that we deal with are a result of poor husbandry, the best thing to do is correct the problem. Other assults on the respiratory tract will also allow a bacterial infection to set in, but they too, are generally husbandry related (chronically too low humidity in a rainforest evolved animal).

The raising of the temperature is to help the animal create a fever, something that it can't do alone and still needs environmental temperartures for. The goal of a fever is to make it harder for bacteria to live. Temperatures over 40C will see most proteins begin to break down (I don't recommend the whole cage at this temp! the protein distruction is not limited to the bacteria!)

The decreasing humidity idea is to dry up the animal's mucous, clearing the airways. My problem with this is that the mucous is still present, and since snakes can't cough, this is not a good long term solution. I do see certain short term benifits though, but most people's success is probably due to the hardy nature of the snake and not the methodology of treatment.

Increasing the humidity allows the mucous to be less dense, and flow more freely--hopefully outward. Again, the animal cannot cough. An abnormally humid environment does allow for a good place for bacteria to grow however.

Honestly, I think the best place for humidity to sit is where it should be in the first place; at optimal levels for the species. An exception is if the DVM prescribes an aerosolized medication but this is rare. The antibiotics will kill the presenting bacteria, and with optimal husbandry practices, your snake will be able to recover quickly.

Ian