URGENT need help bad.

[LINEBACKER 2]

My boa has on occasion a slight discarge from her nose. Noticed it this morning. It's not present now.

What the hell do I do about this. The vets around here are retards when it comes to snakes and whatnot.

What causes this. The only thing that has changed is her bedding. I went from pet-store bought aspen to factory shredded aspen from a factory.

Let me know how I can fix this with out her dying on me.

Steve

[concept3]

it probably a respitory infection, I heard lowering the humidty can help stop it from gettin worse but anti biotics will most definetly be required

[LINEBACKER 2]

What sort of anti-biotics, dose and how often? Anyone have any experiences in this?

What I don't get is, her cage is not exactly humid.

Steve

[thunder]

yes, i agree most likely a respiratory infection. it has nothing to do with her bedding. first, make sure she is quarantined from any other snakes you have, as this is a catching disease.
if you do not have a good herp vet near you, i would suggest posting a message on this forum.

http://www.alexhuereptiles.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=30

here you can ask questions of a very knowledgable herp vet and he will give you detailed answers. in fact you may not even need to post a question as there are probably already threads about the same problem. he most likely guide you through the necessary husbandry changes, and give you advice concerning medication, which will most likely be necessary.

[LINEBACKER 2]

Cheers, thanks alot.

I'll do that right now.

Steve

[Joe]

The best bet would be for you to get a culture done of the mucus... then you know exactly what you are dealing with, Im sure most likely a general antibiotic and some heat treatment would be fine but always best to check it out, as for the vets not being really up to par, they usually send the cultures off to be seen by a profesional, and for them perscribing meds..you can always look up if the dose is sufficiant.... Good luck bud
Meds (http://64.4.36.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=971c0e6687d12137425489f10ec8df95&lat=1092179250&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2finfo%2emed%2eyale%2eedu%2 fyarc%2fvcs%2fdrugs%2ehtm%23anti%2dinfectives)
I cant get the link to work sorry!

[timfriesen32]

One of my boas had a respiratory infection when I got him, it was just in the bigining stages and all I had to do was crank the heat up 5-8 degrees and remove his soaaking water bowl and replace it with a small drinking water dish. I did this for about a week, but it only took a couple of days before his raspy breathing went away. He's been fine every since and that was a year and a half ago.

[Invictus]

Steve, have you called the Calgary Avian and Exotic Pet Clinic? They specialize in reptiles and birds. The vet there is awesome from what I've heard. Give them a call.

[LINEBACKER 2]

I'll look into that. I've got a few words of wisdom from a few vets, and they're all reassuring. I'm not overly worried right now.

Steve

[thunder]

i'm glad ur getting the help u need. good luck!

[tHeGiNo]

They are treating the problem with medications and some minor husbandry changes though, right?

[bigpops]

I am also glad that you are treating this problem with such care...good job buddy

[augerdvm]

Steve:

First of all I really dont think the vets in your area are RETARDS....they may not treat herps but that NO REASON to bash them

Second of all...how do you expect to get help when you dont describe the discharge from the snake...is it thick, thin, wet, dry, colored or clear...all this makes a difference to help rule out the problem

The advise on increasing the ambiant temperature 4-5 drgrees is valid and many snakes will overcome early respiratory disease by "boosting" their immune system

If you're going to own a herp..make sure you have at least a contact name of a vet that deals with them..they might not be in your area but if you need them you can call....the resposibility is YOURS...not the vets in your area

[bigpops]

Actually...just out of curiosity, can you describe the discharge?