gaping mouth?????

[LLinz]

So I've had my royal python, Sneezy for just over 2 weeks now. He ate a rat on his second week of being home, had some retained shed on his head and neck, he went blue a few days ago, and he shed it overnight. I've noticed a few times that when he's coiled, hell sometimes leave his mouth gaping a little bit. How worrried should I be? (No near by vets that treat snakes around here) is it worth the stress to take him to a vet asap? Or is it not an issue? He's been acting totally normal, no other symptoms of a health issue.

[infernalis]

pictures???

[LLinz]

I'll try to get some tonight, he's coiled up in his hide right now, hiding his little face. His mouth only gapes occasionally, like every few days for an hour or so. Well that I've seen, I don't spend 24 hours a day watching him obviously

[bo2as]

Hmmm Sneezy? is it bc he sneezes?

[LLinz]

No lol, no sneezes from him!

[LLinz]

Actually, that reminds me, my bf heard a sneeze-like sound from him yesterday....

[Boss Heterodon]

Quite possibly an Respiratory Infection, which requires vet treatment (the vet should prescribe you an antibiotic like Baytril). He's also relatively new, so stress could be playing a role here as well. Stress weakens the immune system, which can make the animal more suceptible to parasites and infections.

How far away is the closest vet to you? Many vets that don't specifically state they specailize in exotics will still see the animal, and an RI is quite easy to treat. Our vet we take all our reptiles to isn't a specialized exotics vet, but is trained on it. Should a problem arise he's unsure of he calls down to the nearest exotic veterinary practice for advice and information.

[Lankyrob]

If the mouth is staying open for an HOUR at a time that is not natural, i would be getting him checked asap. Let us know how it goes.....

[LLinz]

Yes, I'll get him checked, with him being so new, I'm worried about stressing him out by taking him to the vet, but I guess that's what I'll have to do.

[shaunyboy]

Originally Posted by Boss Heterodon

Quite possibly an Respiratory Infection, which requires vet treatment (the vet should prescribe you an antibiotic like Baytril). He's also relatively new, so stress could be playing a role here as well. Stress weakens the immune system, which can make the animal more suceptible to parasites and infections.

How far away is the closest vet to you? Many vets that don't specifically state they specailize in exotics will still see the animal, and an RI is quite easy to treat. Our vet we take all our reptiles to isn't a specialized exotics vet, but is trained on it. Should a problem arise he's unsure of he calls down to the nearest exotic veterinary practice for advice and information.

i don't think the snake is stressed the first thing a stressed snake tends to do is stop eating

its hard to say without pictures

re baytril
baytril is a broad spectrum anti biotic its always best to get a tracheal swab or winpipe flush done to see if the lab can identify the specific bacteria therefore prescribe the exact antibiotic for the snakes needs

is your snakes throat puffing out like what a frog does when he croaks (not as puffed up but along those lines)

it could be a ri but it could be just the way he's sitting

pictures would help a lot

cheers shaun

[LLinz]

Well I just got home from work, and he is 'dancing' around, playing in his tree and going all over his tank, so he seems pretty content! He's having a rough time shedding though, I've been misting twice a day now since he's been blue. His head shed, but his body is coming off in strips. I'll try to get a good pic of him doing the mouth thing soon. Any other symptoms I should look for?

[sickvenom]

what are your temps?

[LLinz]

I have only seen him do the mouth gaping thing when he was coiled up in his hide during th day time. No other strange or different behaviors that I have seen. Wow you guys sure know your stuff!! I just don't want to make unnecessary vet trips (lack of $, and don't wanna stress out Sneezy)

[LLinz]

My temps are just below 90 during the day and about 80 at night. I just got a bigger UTH and will be building a new enclosure soon.

[Lankyrob]

IF the temps and humidity arent spot on then his sheds will be bad. You mention that you spray but what % humidity do you raise it to and how low does it drop?