never seen this before.

ilovemysnake · 01-03-14, 03:01 PM

turbine's been out of her tunnels for about 2 hours now cruising around, maybe hunting. she's never really done this, she's usually hidden.

im watching her and she points her head upwards, and rapidly opens and closes her mouth at least 12 times. i've seen snakes "yawn" (turbo does it after eating), but this was not like anything i've seen.

Jinxygirl · 01-03-14, 03:18 PM

Not quite sure but if she is making any weird clicking sounds or you see any bubbling coming from her nose then she may have a respiratory tract infection. Keep an eye out for any other strange behavior.

**Aaron_S** · 01-03-14, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovemysnake

turbine's been out of her tunnels for about 2 hours now cruising around, maybe hunting. she's never really done this, she's usually hidden.

im watching her and she points her head upwards, and rapidly opens and closes her mouth at least 12 times. i've seen snakes "yawn" (turbo does it after eating), but this was not like anything i've seen.

Take a video or pics.

Check for bubbles being blown out of the mouth.

It is possible that the snake is trying to remove something from it's mouth.

Since you co-habitate it is imperative that you check on the other and ensure it doesn't show the same symptoms if it's an illness.

Sharlynn93 · 01-03-14, 04:12 PM

I don't know what rat snakes humidity levels are supposed to be but I noticed in the pic of ur enclosure that the eco earth was so damp there was condensation on the glass...since she burrows it may have been too much moisture which may have caused an RI?

ilovemysnake · 01-03-14, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharlynn93

I don't know what rat snakes humidity levels are supposed to be but I noticed in the pic of ur enclosure that the eco earth was so damp there was condensation on the glass...since she burrows it may have been too much moisture which may have caused an RI?

That picture was taken right after the enclosures were set up. I had to throw the condensed eco earth in a bucket of water to break it apart. But its dry now. I didnt use alot of water. About half as much as it said to.

Im going to check it out. Humiditys at around 30% in her enclosure.

SnakeyJay · 01-03-14, 05:09 PM

Open the mouth with a clean business card or Q-tip.. You'll see if there's anything stuck in the mouth... If not then keep an eye on the behaviour... If it persists then get him to a vet and bump the temps up a couple of degrees.

Personally I'd now separate them as there's a possible risk of respiratory infection and don't want it passed on.

ilovemysnake · 01-03-14, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakey-Jay

Open the mouth with a clean business card or Q-tip.. You'll see if there's anything stuck in the mouth... If not then keep an eye on the behaviour... If it persists then get him to a vet and bump the temps up a couple of degrees.

Personally I'd now separate them as there's a possible risk of respiratory infection and don't want it passed on.

Theyre not together. What temperature should I bump it up to? Shes at 87º right now. Shes warmer than turbo, she seems to enjoy the heat more than turbo does.

SnakeyJay · 01-03-14, 05:34 PM

Well 85 is the recommended temp I think? So your already there anyway.... To be honest if your worried I'd just go to a reptile vet. Peace of mind is worth a few £ to me where my boas are concerned.

ilovemysnake · 01-03-14, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakey-Jay

Well 85 is the recommended temp I think? So your already there anyway.... To be honest if your worried I'd just go to a reptile vet. Peace of mind is worth a few £ to me where my boas are concerned.

i need to find a reptile vet. i dont know why, but no one will email me back. i've been emailing people for 2.5 months now, and no one emails me back when i ask if they take exotics.
we used to have a vet that i took all my pets to that would take exotics, but the vet that worked there that works with my "exotics" (my birds, rodents, and reptiles) apparently doesnt work there anyway and i didnt know that.

her only "weird behavior" i see, is that she's been scouring the enclosure and is a bit more aggresive then usual. im trying to feed her right now, so maybe she's just hungry.

**Aaron_S** · 01-03-14, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovemysnake

i need to find a reptile vet. i dont know why, but no one will email me back. i've been emailing people for 2.5 months now, and no one emails me back when i ask if they take exotics.
we used to have a vet that i took all my pets to that would take exotics, but the vet that worked there that works with my "exotics" (my birds, rodents, and reptiles) apparently doesnt work there anyway and i didnt know that.

her only "weird behavior" i see, is that she's been scouring the enclosure and is a bit more aggresive then usual. im trying to feed her right now, so maybe she's just hungry.

How about calling the vet offices instead of e-mailing? Usually works much better.

E-mails end up in junk folders.

ilovemysnake · 01-03-14, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

How about calling the vet offices instead of e-mailing? Usually works much better.

E-mails end up in junk folders.

ill try and do that.

Starbuck · 01-03-14, 05:55 PM

I've worked at quite a few vets offices, we rarely used our email to receive information, just to contact clients and send reminders. If you want answers you need to call. And I'd try to have at least 150 $ ready for the apt just in case they need to do cultures etc. Bring pictures of your enclosure, but don't waste your time with a non exotics vet unless you have no other options.

ilovemysnake · 01-03-14, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starbuck

I've worked at quite a few vets offices, we rarely used our email to receive information, just to contact clients and send reminders. If you want answers you need to call. And I'd try to have at least 150 $ ready for the apt just in case they need to do cultures etc. Bring pictures of your enclosure, but don't waste your time with a non exotics vet unless you have no other options.

i think she may be fine. she just ate, and went right into the tunnels. maybe she was hungry, or like aaron said, was clearing her throat.

poison123 · 01-03-14, 06:20 PM

I've had snakes eat that were in the first stages of URI. Still keep a good eye on the snake.

Terranaut · 01-03-14, 06:25 PM

So your going to a vet over a snake with some substrate stucknin it's mouth?

But seriously..you have been keeping these guys for a couple months....they are fine...not everything they do is an "event" I predict your snake is shedding and trying to start the head from coming off. Gonna feel silly calling a vet for that....right?