Crappy Day

[Colonel SB]

Well I was cleaning cages yesterday and when I got to my quarentine cge I noticed my latest Nicaraguan B.c.i has RI :( this really sucks. I've never had a sick snake before, it's crazy because the rest of the snake in my Q rack are fine???? Anyways I bumper her temp upto 31 under the hot area and 29 overall temps, plus I also replaced the water dish with a smaller one to reduce the humidity. If there is anything else I should do lemme know.

Damn I gotta find a good reptile vet in the area.

[Mike177]

I also replaced the water dish with a smaller one to reduce the humidity

Contrary to popular belefes i would raise the humidity if anything. i know alot of people say rase the temps, lower the humidtity but i know alot of snakes that have died from RI because of that untill the owner relized that lowering the humidity was a bad idea so every time his snakes had an RI he rased the temps and the humidity and hasent had a snake that didnt overcome it (It not like his snakes gets RI's all the time he just has ALOT of snakes). lets think about it for a sec. an RI is a bactereal Infection and where do bactereal infections thrive in?..... hot dry areas. so i would try raseing the humidty if anything.

[Bartman]

what does RI stand for and what are some of the symptoms to see if your reptile has it?

[Colonel SB]

RI stands fora respitory infection. Usually open mouth breathing, bubles from the nose.

[BoidKeeper]

How far along is she? If she is already at open mouth and bubles in the nose I'd start the antibiotics. If you can just barely hear her and its just a wize and a pop then a week of heat and humidity should do it. But if in a few days you don't start to see change I would go to the vet. If heat is going to fix the problem it will start to work in a few days but keep it up for a week or more to be sure. But like I said if there is no noticible change in the first few days of elevated temps then it time for drugs.
Good luck,
Trevor

[Oliverian]

where do bactereal infections thrive in?..... hot dry areas. so i would try raseing the humidty if anything. I would think bacteria would thrive in warm, wet areas, no? But I don't know much about treating RI's, so mabye increasing humidity does help in some way.

[Linds]

Colonel SB,
I would recommend going to the vets at the High Park Animal Clinic on Dundas Street in Toronto (416-763-4200). Its not local for me either, but IMHO its worth the drive. Its the nearest one I trust. If you are looking for something closer, click <a href="http://www.icomm.ca/dragon/canrepvt.htm#ont">here</a> for the Ontario Veterinary Listing ;) In the meantime I would also recommend quaranting her from the rest of your collection.

Originally posted by Oliverian
I would think bacteria would thrive in warm, wet areas, no?

Yup, you are correct. Bacteria LOVES moisture, as does mold.

[Colonel SB]

Holy Crap linds thata 3 hour drive for me so I'm gonna pass on that vet. I've got a good local vet that is only 10 mins away, she goes in on thursday. I wanted sooner but that as the quickest they can taker her.