respiratory infection???

lostwithin · 01-20-04, 12:12 AM

Hi., although ive owned my ball for many years ive never had any problems healthwise with her, except of course her tendency too refuse food for longer periods of time then i was expecting, but she has never become unhealthy due too this and i have learned now it is nothing too worry about, but latly, ive noticed while shes trying too find an escape route which she does do at nights from time too time, she was hissing occasionaly, then after closer observation i belive she may be congested she is a slight noise when she breaths if you listen closly, and from time too time she breaths outward quite deeply, and makes a hissing noise, almost as if sneezing some times, n e way she seems quite healthy, and most of the times she makes the hiss noise shes pushing on the lid , so my question is, does this sound like a respiratory infection, or is it simply deep breaths as she trys too escape ?? any adive would be great thanks,

kevyn · 01-20-04, 12:19 AM

Nope. Usually you'll get more symptoms than that. Often times there is no mistaking the hissing, or wheezing. The snake is usually snotty, with some open mouthed breathing. So don't panic, like us they sometimes breath a bit heavier, and ya they do have a bit of snot. I could be wrong, but I think you're ball is fine from what you described. Just keep and eye on her for any other signs of RI. Just try not to get too paranoid, or you'll start to create symptoms where there are none.

David Kwok · 01-20-04, 01:57 AM

I would think differently, it sounds like a mild RI case. Open her mouth and if you see some excess mucus in there it is most likely what it is. Giving her heat 95F hot spot and 85F cool side for a 7-21 days should fix it, if not then you might want to get it on some meds. Chloro palm 250 works well for me.

Good Luck

Dave

Chris Stone · 01-20-04, 07:18 AM

just raise the temperature to about 91 on hot and make sure it has a hide...on both sides...also..make sure that you have an accurate temp reader...and use a heating pad..they work well with a thermostat....oh also a waterbowl.

do u cover the top up with somehtin?/ if you do take it off and try to get the heat to stay up some other way beacuse theere is not enough air flow as it is...especially with it covered

BoidKeeper · 01-20-04, 08:24 AM

Quote:

just raise the temperature to about 91 on hot

You don't raise the temp to 91 because it is already suposed to be between 90-95.
If you suspect an RI then make sure that the hot spot is at least 95, even higher. But as someone has said already raise the cool end to 85. Try to keep it there are night too. Often times peoples snakes are kept in rooms that go down into the 60s at night. So you may have to add another heat pad or a heat light to help add the heat to the ambiant temp.
Also make sure the humidity is up over 60%. Balls can get RI from humidity that is too low. Also a problem in winter.
If after 10 days you still hear weezing or poping or especially if you see any open mouth breathing then it is time to go to the vet for antibiotics.
Keep us posted,
Trevor
PS
Sometimes balls get a bit raspy during a shed cycle too.

mykee · 01-20-04, 06:47 PM

You stole my answer Trevor.

BoidKeeper · 01-20-04, 07:10 PM

Great minds...

lostwithin · 01-20-04, 11:43 PM

hey thanks alot for the advice, i had guessed on my own too raise the temp, and as someone mentioned i thought of covering it but figured the air flow would probably be better so i bought stronger bulbs, hopefully that does the trick, ive been dealing with boids, for years and never had any problems , im hopeing this works out too, thanks again for the advice,
Devon