Possible RI

[FireproofGorilla]

Good news and bad news.

I finally got an RTB. She's still in that "everything bigger than me is trying to eat me!" phase and makes sure to keep an eye on you. She's lunged at me once but didn't open her mouth.

Bad news, I have a bigger problem as to I believe she will be more "handleable" once she's acclimated. I got her from a privately owned petstore that gets their reptiles from breeders. It's the same place I got my BP. No problems whatsoever with the BP. I have notice one little thing that's been on my mind. My boa makes a clicking sound when handled and has cracked her mouth ever-so-slightly once in a while. I thought this may be just her being defensive. However, after reading about some early signs of respiratory infections, I'm wondering if this could be one. I switched to 150watt CHEs for awhile. She's in a 50gal tank. The CHEs haven't been keeping the temp up as high as the infrared bulbs did. It hasn't dropped dramatically, but it has dropped a bit. I'm praying this isn't a respiratory infection as I won't be able to get her to the vet for about two weeks. I'm taking the CHEs back and getting infrareds again to get the temp back in the upper 80s (CHEs only get the tank to the mid-to-low 80s). I'm going to get her temps back up and continue to monitor her. I'm going to get her to the vet as soon as I can. Until then, I'm hoping that upping the temperature to the upper 80s (90 in the hot-spot) will catch the RI (if it is one) to receed. I'm going to see if the symptoms will persist. Any advice?

	Ceramic Heat Emitter Ceramic Heat Emitter: A porcelain heating device that screws into a standard porcelain incandescent socket

[angrybananapeel]

I thought this may be just her being defensive.

It may very well be her just not being comfortable with the handling just yet. Plan for the worst, hope for the best. I'm not an expert on dealing with RI but I'm sure others will volunteer info on that. Good Luck.

	Respiratory Infection Respiratory Infection

[jbt123]

Just keep the temps up and the humidity LOW for now, until you can see a vet. She MIGHT be showing the beginning signs, but you really never know. She could have been defensive, like you said. But always err on the side of caution on matters such as a possible RI. They aren't pretty...I lost my baby spotted python at the beginning of this year due to an RI...but I didn't catch her symptoms in time.

I'm sure your RTB will be just fine. Just keep an eye on it!^^

	Respiratory Infection Respiratory Infection

[Hairless]

The clicking sound you are hearing is mucus blocking her nostril cavity. I would also bet that her opening her mouth is because she is having trouble breathing.
I would avoid handling her as this could cause more stress. It's probably a good idea to continue with your plan on going to vet.

[FireproofGorilla]

Yeah. I came home tonight and the clicking sound is more frequent now. Especially when she's handled. I'm going to leave her alone so she can stay as comfortable as possible until she's in the vet's office. I did just switch back to the IR lamps today and I also got her an under-the-tank heat mat in the hot spot so that it'll be easier for her to thermo regulate. I'm calling Monday to make her an appointment. I lost my first BP to an RI when I was in high school and I didn't catch it in time. Due to the increased frequency of the expiratory clicks (Rales as we call them in the medical field), she's going to the vet. I'm a medic, but I'm not sure how different rales would sound in an 18" boa than in a 72" human. It sounds like fluid in the windpipe to me, though. Kind of like a CHF patient, only not quite severe. We're gonna stop it before it gets there. I don't need my BP acquiring it either. Anyone got price ranges for the antibiotic treatment? lol Thanks for all of the input.

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

	Respiratory Infection Respiratory Infection

[angrybananapeel]

good luck

[blondemafia26]

I lost my bp to ri . I would do less handling like everyone else has said until you can get her to the vet . I wish you the best of luck .

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

	Respiratory Infection Respiratory Infection

[FireproofGorilla]

Thanks everyone. Does anyone have any idea to how much the treatment costs? The exam'll only run me $50.

[FireproofGorilla]

Okay, so her temps have been in the 88-94 range in the hot spot for the past two days. That puts the ambient temp around 86 and the cool zone around 80-84. The clicking is now alot less frequent (almost non-existent) and very faint. You REALLY have to listen bc any other noise in the room will overpower it. I think she's recovering and maybe it didn't get as far as an infection. I'm going to see how she's doing in the morning to determine whether or not she needs to goto the vet. I'll probably end up taking her anyway.

[BWSmith]

If it is an RI, it is minor one. It is not unusual for baby boas to make some odd noises and hold their mouth open when being defensive. But a vet visit just to check the overall health is not a bad idea.