HELP Kahless mouth problem

**Pareeeee** · 02-06-13, 09:37 AM

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:

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

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 · 02-06-13, 09:40 AM

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** · 02-06-13, 09:42 AM

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** · 02-06-13, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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** · 02-06-13, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

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 · 02-06-13, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

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** · 02-06-13, 10:04 AM

I'm googling reptile vets.

**Pareeeee** · 02-06-13, 10:12 AM

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** · 02-06-13, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 02-06-13, 10:19 AM

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** · 02-06-13, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

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 · 02-06-13, 10:23 AM

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** · 02-06-13, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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 · 02-06-13, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

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** · 02-06-13, 10:47 AM

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.