HELP Kahless mouth problem

[Pareeeee]

So I took Kahless out just a few minutes ago, he yawned twice, blew a nose bubble and dripped some clear saliva on me.

I looked up close at his face and this is what I found:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/Pareeeee/IMG_99122.jpghttp://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/Pareeeee/IMG_9913.jpghttp://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/Pareeeee/IMG_9912.jpg

What are those? Ulcers? I tried to lift his little lip (he really didn't like it) I don't see any sores inside his mouth, I may take him out again and try to take a look, he really was struggling and I didn't want to stress him any more.

What do I do? There aren't any nearby reptile vets :hmm: is there anything I can give him? Anything I can order online? What causes this?? What can I change with his husbandry to prevent it from happening again??

I think his humidity is too high - 70%. I've been struggling with it for a while now, had to remove his big water dish and replace it with a tiny one just big enough to hold a bit of drinking water.

[Gungirl]

Nose bubble and clear saliva has me thinking RI.... What you are seeing on his face is most likely just from him rubbing against something. They don't look sore to me but just as if he was to rub on a log or something else coarse.

[Aaron_S]

Where do you live in Ontario?

Do you hear or see any other RI symptoms? Like wheezing or clicking?

Right now, those like superficial sores. Does he rub a lot? Like the lid or furnishings?

[Pareeeee]

Where do you live in Ontario?

Do you hear or see any other RI symptoms? Like wheezing or clicking?

Right now, those like superficial sores. Does he rub a lot? Like the lid or furnishings?

I don't give my location out on any website online (even Facebook).

I hear a very faint pop or click, yes.

I haven't seen him rubbing lately, but he may rub under his hide and I wouldn't know. The only thing left in his tank that's rough is his cork bark hide.

I heard that most RI's clear up on their own if you raise temps, lower humidity...but not sure what temp to raise it to safely. Should I completely remove his water dish for now and just put it in one day per week? I am really struggling to keep his humidity down below 70% (our house is at 50% it's been a disgustingly damp winter, I've even been struggling with mold on our window-sills, etc.)

[Aaron_S]

I don't give my location out on any website online (even Facebook).

I hear a very faint pop or click, yes.

I haven't seen him rubbing lately, but he may rub under his hide and I wouldn't know. The only thing left in his tank that's rough is his cork bark hide.

I heard that most RI's clear up on their own if you raise temps, lower humidity...but not sure what temp to raise it to safely. Should I completely remove his water dish for now and just put it in one day per week? I am really struggling to keep his humidity down below 70% (our house is at 50% it's been a disgustingly damp winter, I've even been struggling with mold on our window-sills, etc.)

You may get rid of the symptoms yes. Doesn't mean the infection actually goes away.

I only meant to ask for a general idea of where you live but it's fine. If you're able to drive to Guelph University I would contact them. They are probably the best to deal with in these cases.

You need a culture done and some meds probably at this point. Waiting any longer and hoping that temps will cure it will probably just result in a further case of RI in which it's probably advanced already.

[MDT]

I heard that most RI's clear up on their own if you raise temps, lower humidity...but not sure what temp to raise it to safely. Should I completely remove his water dish for now and just put it in one day per week? I am really struggling to keep his humidity down below 70% (our house is at 50% it's been a disgustingly damp winter, I've even been struggling with mold on our window-sills, etc.)

If RI is viral, then resolution on it's own would happen (much like when you have a cold). Your body elevates it's own temp (fever) to facilitate "fighting" the infection, by increasing white blood cell activity and immune response.

If the RI is bacterial, then antibiotics would be needed as well. Culture of the secretions would be necessary to determine this.


edit...aaron beat me to it...what he said :)

[Pareeeee]

I'm googling reptile vets.

[Pareeeee]

Can't find any, still looking

Guelph is very far away from me Aaron. :/

I'm calling all the vet clinics around just to see if they do it or know of anyone who does.

Problem is that in the nearest towns/cities that have vets, Ball Pythons are illegal. :(

[Aaron_S]

Can't find any, still looking

Guelph is very far away from me Aaron. :/

I'm calling all the vet clinics around just to see if they do it or know of anyone who does.

Problem is that in the nearest towns/cities that have vets, Ball Pythons are illegal. :(

To my knowledge, aslong as it's legal in your town nothing can happen to you. I could be really wrong but I don't see how a trip to a vet somehow breaks the bylaw.

[Pareeeee]

Just contacted a vet (a little farther than I had wanted to travel) who's not specifically a reptile vet but has done some reptile stuff before - the receptionist took down my number and she's going to ask the vet if he can treat an RI, or if he knows of any other vets in the area that can.

How much does it usually cost by the way? Are RI's common or is it because I've been having humidity battles?

[Pareeeee]

To my knowledge, aslong as it's legal in your town nothing can happen to you. I could be really wrong but I don't see how a trip to a vet somehow breaks the bylaw.

Not sure. Where I live the law is really a grey area, so I'm not sure how legal he is. I've searched and searched bylaws and come up with nothing for or against pythons.

He may have had this longer than I knew about, he's always had a 'whistle' sound when he breathes, ever since I got him. I think when he's nervous he does it.

[Terranaut]

Guelph is the only reptile vet in Ontario I know of. Maybe it's worth the trip ? It's $95 just for the consultation. Tests would be on top of that.

[Aaron_S]

Just contacted a vet (a little farther than I had wanted to travel) who's not specifically a reptile vet but has done some reptile stuff before - the receptionist took down my number and she's going to ask the vet if he can treat an RI, or if he knows of any other vets in the area that can.

How much does it usually cost by the way? Are RI's common or is it because I've been having humidity battles?

The cost depends on the vet and what it is you need. Just be sure the vet does a culture. It may cost a bit more but definitely needs to be done to find out what you're dealing with. Then he sends it off to Guelph U most likely and waits for results.

It's hard to say if RI is common or not. Properly kept, they aren't. It's a essentially a cold or flu. Brought on usually by low temperatures. You should re-check yours.

As stated, you need to find out if it's viral or bacterial. If it's viral, he'll forever have it and it may come back every now and again because there is no cure for a virus.

[MDT]

Not sure. Where I live the law is really a grey area, so I'm not sure how legal he is. I've searched and searched bylaws and come up with nothing for or against pythons.

He may have had this longer than I knew about, he's always had a 'whistle' sound when he breathes, ever since I got him. I think when he's nervous he does it.

i hope all goes well dude...let us know

[Pareeeee]

FOUND ONE found one found one found one

I have an appointment at 3:45pm today! The place is only about a half hour from me - every vet clinic I called said they didn't know of anyone who did that, well they didn't know what they were talking about!

I'm gonna be poor now. Just call me poor Pareeeee from now on.

[puffinluffin]

I have no idea where you are.

However i have done some research.
So you can 'shop around', see whats closest and price it out from there.

There is quite alot of Herp Vets actually. Not sure why someone said only Guelph.
Anywho. There's a few that are highly recommended.

One is in Ottawa ( Carling Animal Hospital)
Rockwood - (rockwood vet clinic)
Barrie - ( Big Bay animal hospital)
Waterloo- (waterloo animal hospital)

There's other in Scarborough, a few in T.O. , Guelph, Windsor, Oakville.

You must live somewhere close to one of those places.
Good luck, hope you get it fixed/figured out at a decent price .

[puffinluffin]

FOUND ONE found one found one found one

I have an appointment at 3:45pm today! The place is only about a half hour from me - every vet clinic I called said they didn't know of anyone who did that, well they didn't know what they were talking about!

I'm gonna be poor now. Just call me poor Pareeeee from now on.

haha, great!! :) Good luck!

[Pareeeee]

haha, great!! :) Good luck!

Thanks! They weren't listed as a reptile vet, glad I started calling around anyway.

[Pareeeee]

Aaron: His temps are 95 on the warm side, about 70-73ish on the cool side, like many people, I don't regulate the cool side.

I think it's his humidity - going to melt some more holes into his tub.

What about Boaz? Is there any danger to him? His cage is dry since he is a desert species, I have a bulb that helps with that as well.

[Aaron_S]

Aaron: His temps are 95 on the warm side, about 70-73ish on the cool side, like many people, I don't regulate the cool side.

I think it's his humidity - going to melt some more holes into his tub.

What about Boaz? Is there any danger to him? His cage is dry since he is a desert species, I have a bulb that helps with that as well.

If they live close together, like enclosures right next to one another then it's possible.

You're cool side seems to be low. Could be the cause. That's a 20 degree drop in a really small space.

[Terranaut]

I said the woman in Guelph was the only one I know of, not the only one.

[mykee]

U of G Small Animal Clinic is THE reptile vet in the country. There is no debating that. It's a fact. If you ever get a culture or a sensitivity done, it will be sent to U of G, looked over, and the proper med will be recommended. Any other vet in Canada is just a middleman.

[puffinluffin]

I said the woman in Guelph was the only one I know of, not the only one.

Oh sorry. I read wrong lol

My apologies.

[puffinluffin]

Thanks! They weren't listed as a reptile vet, glad I started calling around anyway.

No kdding!

[Julius2314]

Im glad you found somebody and i wish ya the best of luck, and hope it gets better soon :) I had a ball when i was a little kid in florida. we was like 2 or more weeks with no power after i think hurricane Francis. and my ball had the same signs. It was a RI.

[Pareeeee]

Back from the vet. Of course he wasn't showing any of the symptoms that he showed this morning, that's always how it goes, isn't it? she did hear a little something in his lungs with the stethoscope. She said that it is possible he had recently had a drink and just regurged some water on me, since he had only shown symptoms this morning and no other time.

Anyway, she wants me to keep an eye on him for a few days, and call immediately if his symptoms come back. If they come back she will give me the medication. I'm supposed to call her Monday regardless of his symptoms.

[Aaron_S]

Back from the vet. Of course he wasn't showing any of the symptoms that he showed this morning, that's always how it goes, isn't it? she did hear a little something in his lungs with the stethoscope. She said that it is possible he had recently had a drink and just regurged some water on me, since he had only shown symptoms this morning and no other time.

Anyway, she wants me to keep an eye on him for a few days, and call immediately if his symptoms come back. If they come back she will give me the medication. I'm supposed to call her Monday regardless of his symptoms.

Good to hear.

[Pareeeee]

Yes, she seemed very knowledgeable. We just stood in the examination room and talked reptiles for a while after the exam, lol.

Oh and she asked me how big the holes in his tub were, and advised me to make them bigger for more ventilation, which I did with my solder gun as soon as I got home.

[MDT]

glad to hear things appear well. also good when you are able to secure a knowledgable reptile vet.

[Julius2314]

Very good to hear :) Hope it all goes well :)

[Pareeeee]

Update - checked on him today and he didn't have any discharge. Hoping this trend continues!

[TeaNinja]

lol, that's funny. i just read your beginning post and thought to myself "could have just drank some water before you picked him up and dribbled it out the mouth" and then i read about the vet visit and had a chuckle. glad no serious RI showed up, that's nice.

[Pareeeee]

lol, that's funny. i just read your beginning post and thought to myself "could have just drank some water before you picked him up and dribbled it out the mouth" and then i read about the vet visit and had a chuckle. glad no serious RI showed up, that's nice.

The thing is, he was 'sleeping' in his hide when I had taken him out, but he must've had a drink not long before.

[jarich]

Did the vet say anything about the damaged scales? Is your snake about to shed?

Im only offering this as one possibility, but if there is some skin irritation it could also be effecting its eyes and causing your snake to...well...cry, for lack of a better word. Humans have ducts that go from your eyes to the back of your nose. (Why your nose runs when you cry) Snake's ducts go directly into the roof of their mouths. Might be a possible explanation of the clear liquid you saw. Again, not saying anything definitively, just a possibility.

[Pareeeee]

Did the vet say anything about the damaged scales? Is your snake about to shed?

Im only offering this as one possibility, but if there is some skin irritation it could also be effecting its eyes and causing your snake to...well...cry, for lack of a better word. Humans have ducts that go from your eyes to the back of your nose. (Why your nose runs when you cry) Snake's ducts go directly into the roof of their mouths. Might be a possible explanation of the clear liquid you saw. Again, not saying anything definitively, just a possibility.

He shed very recently, doubt he will be shedding again for another 2 or 3 weeks.

[rmfsnakes32]

Good that everything turned out good!

[KORBIN5895]

Back from the vet. Of course he wasn't showing any of the symptoms that he showed this morning, that's always how it goes, isn't it? she did hear a little something in his lungs with the stethoscope. She said that it is possible he had recently had a drink and just regurged some water on me, since he had only shown symptoms this morning and no other time.

Anyway, she wants me to keep an eye on him for a few days, and call immediately if his symptoms come back. If they come back she will give me the medication. I'm supposed to call her Monday regardless of his symptoms.

So did she take a culture?