What's wrong with my ATB?

[AmandaLynnS1]

My ATB hasn'y eaten in three weeks. He is normally a good eater. Also today when I was handling him I noticed a slight clicking sound when he breathes not constant but just a few times. Otherwise he is drinking water and acting as he normally does.I am making an appointment with the vet for this week. However any suggestions as to what the problem may be is appreciated.

[Beardonicus]

It may be a respiratory infection. What are you housing him in? What are temps, humidty levels at? Give more details and we'll go from there.

[AmandaLynnS1]

Originally posted by Beardonicus
It may be a respiratory infection. What are you housing him in? What are temps, humidty levels at? Give more details and we'll go from there.

30 gallon tank with screen lock top
80-89f temp
mist in morning and evening 60%-90% humidity
If it is a respiritory infection what will the vet perscribe, and is it easily cured?

[BigPlaya]

Respiratory infections are usually cured by an increase in heat for a week or two. You might also want to put it in a cage where you can drill some holes in the side for better air circulation. Considering that the heat looks to be ok, it is probably an air circulation problem. Good luck and I hope someone can add more insight to your problem. Maybe the vet can add also but I would think that he/she would suggest the same thing. You really have to be careful with that type of species as they are very delicate.

[eyespy]

What substrate is he on? Mosses such as sphaghnum and peat frequently carry a mold that causes a fungal RI, aspergillosis. Wood products such as mulch and aspen can also carry it in smaller amounts. Switching to newspaper might not be a bad idea if you are using mosses or any organic substrate to improve the air quality in the cage while you are waiting for your vet appointment.

[Beardonicus]

The first thing I would do is toss out that glass tank w/ the screen top. Those things can't hold humidty worth a crap, lol. Just go out and get an appropriately sized rubbermaid and make some ventilation holes and you should'nt have any problem keeping humidity. One of my ATBs got a small RI when I was doing the same thing you are now (glass tank) and the rubbermaid solved that in a jiffy.

Oh, and if you really wanna hold some humidity, use cypress mulch as a substrate. There is none better at holding humidity.

[reverendsterlin]

RI's are usually cured with anti-biotics, heat and humidity only assist and may work on very mild cases. I don't know who bigplaya is but his advise puts your animal at possible risk of death.

[Beardonicus]

I don't think so, reverend. I had the same thing happen to me that is happening to Amanda and all I did was change my caging and up the temps and humidty and the RI healed in a few days. As long as it is caught early enough, there is no cause for alarm.

[AmandaLynnS1]

Thanks for the help guys. I took him to the vet today and it's a RI.
She tube fed him because he hasn't eaten in three weeks and gave him a shot of fortav which I have to administer every three days. I am going to take a fecal to the vet for examination as soon as I can just to be on the safe side. Although she thinks it is bacterial and not patrasitic. She told me to increase the heat and decrease the humidity until I get a humidity meter. Otherwise she said he is a lively good looking snake with a nice temperment. Does anybody know where to get a humidity gage and what they are called? I got a small under tank heater to increase the heat at night and tomm I'd like to get the humidity meter. Thanks again everyone for the help.

[BigPlaya]

You should be able to find one at home depo or any other hardware store.