Help please -.-

[DeadRebel]

I bought a new bp today and he keeps opening his mouth (not continously but about once every 15 minutes) He looks very healthy, eats a fuzzy rat every week (he is 4 weeks old) and he is not about to shed.

Why is he doing this? And is there anything I can do.. or should I simply let him?

Thanks for your help!

(I used to have a BP but he's never done that.. so I'm wondering what's going on)

[mark129er]

I don't know much about bps so i don't want you to get worried, but open mouth nreathing can be associated with ri (respiratory infection). Where did you get it? pet store or breeder? I'm sure others will be able to tell you more.

Best of luck, Mark

[DeadRebel]

I got him from a pet store but the lady who sold it breeds them (he is one of hers) He did it once at the store when I was holding him.. it looked like he was going to bite me, I found it odd because they're usually not aggressive.. but I noticed he didnt want to attack or anything.

;\ I really don't want anything bad to happen to him :(

[sapphire_moon]

I agree with mark, the only times I've ever heard of a BP opening their mouths ( when not eating) is because of an RI or to realign their jaws......if he keeps doing this tomorrow then I would take him to a vet ASAP. Especially if you don't know what it is!

[DeadRebel]

Ok thanks a lot *still extremely worried*

[Yve]

b.p.'s yawn...ocasionally...don't know why they do this...but they open their mouths really wide for a few seconds and then close. It almost looks as if they're stretching or something? If the mouth is constantly gaping that might be an r.i.....gently press up against its throat and see if mucous comes out of the nose or mouth...that would be a sure sign of r.i., weezing as well......it wouldn't hurt to give him a check up regardless as he is new in your collection...better to be safe than sorry...

[DeadRebel]

This is only my third snake and I'm very new with them.. I'm scared that if I press at the wrong place I could hurt my BP.. or make things worse if he does have an RI.

Is there any risk in slightly pressing his throat or should I wait until I go to the vet tomorrow? (I hope it won't cost too much to check him.. buying the equipement quite borke me ;x)

[Yve]

if you GENTLY press that area it is very pliable and you won't hurt the snake but if you are going to the vet tomorrow than don't bother, just tell the vet your concerns and they will let you know what the diagnosis is...I think that is the best bet.

[mark129er]

Make sure you provide an update after your visit to the vet, I'll have my fingers crossed for you.

mark

[MontyPython]

My ball python had an RI and yawned a lot of the time, when he did this i could see excess mucus in his mouth, like he was drooling, and bubbles coming out of his nose when he breathed. He's all better now, has been for quite sometime, and every once in a while he'll still yawn when I take him out, it's just something they do sometimes, like right after a meal (realigning their jaw). Hope all goes well with your ball!

[DeadRebel]

I looked in his mout and there was no mucus but I won't take any chance.. I'm still taking him for a check up ;x

[lilyskip]

hmmm, that's weird. yawning is normal, just definitely not that often. what are your temperatures like?

[Linds]

If the vet suspects an RI (which would be my first guess from what you described) make sure you have a culture done so you know what bacteria is treating it and what type of antibiotic to treat it with.

[DeadRebel]

Ok I took him to the store where I bought him (they have a vet that works there) and he is keeping him for a few days and will treat him for no fee.

I'm so happy because I doubt I could currently have afforded the antibiotics ;x They said there would be no problem at all.. so everything should be fine ^_^

Thanks to everyone for your advice!

[MontyPython]

If you couldn't afford the antibiotics, you have no business keeping a snake!

[DeadRebel]

Hey calm down! I just bought it and the cage and lamps and heating pad so I'm broke right now.. next pay check comes in only next Friday so don't be bragging.. it's not my fault.

Besides I think it's better that I want to care for it so much rather than simply flush it down like other people might have done.

[daver676]

Make sure you get the same snake back, and they don't just switch it with another.

Dave

[DeadRebel]

Yes ^^; He has black stripes under his eyes so he's clearly identifiable. I chose him out of the others they ha because of these lines ;x

[lilyskip]

Originally posted by DeadRebel
Besides I think it's better that I want to care for it so much rather than simply flush it down like other people might have done.

Woah...we're not trying to jump down your throat here. Just consider it this way: it's good that you want to care for it, but that's what is REQUIRED when you buy a pet. It's not something that you should be proud about...it's mandatory that you should want to care for an animal that you own. Some people don't, and obviously this is a really bad thing. But those people that do are simply doing their job as a pet owner.

What's important to keep in mind is that really caring for a pet means not purchasing it until you have enough money stowed away in the case of an emergency vet visit or antibiotic treatment. As a pet owner, you should never find yourself saying, "i don't have the money to treat my snake." Take a hundred dollars or so from this coming paycheck and just put it away out of reach, and that can be your emergency fund. Again, just because you don't flush it down the toilet...that's not something to be proud of. You did a good job seeking treatment for it, now you just need to make provisions to follow through for that treatment in case you one day have to pay for it yourself.