Ball hasn't eaten in 6 months, just threw up.
- Thread starter loganh83
- Start date
not sure about the temp...the snake is with a friend...I will find out more soon. It had been eating for 8 months or so before beginning his fast. I have soaked him before to help in shedding...will try again. Thanks for the advice.
Sounds like the "Throw up" could actually be "Couch up". In other words...mucus. Snakes open their mouths to breathe when they are congested. THis explains the yawning.
Get some TC tablets from any pet shop and raise the temps. Disolve the TC powder in water and change it out every other day for 10-14 days.
Have your friend buy a $1.99 thermometer too.
Don't ignore this situation or "Wait it out". 6 months is a long time.
Get some TC tablets from any pet shop and raise the temps. Disolve the TC powder in water and change it out every other day for 10-14 days.
Have your friend buy a $1.99 thermometer too.
Don't ignore this situation or "Wait it out". 6 months is a long time.
Everyone is spot on so far. The supposed "vomit" from a snake that hadn't eaten in 6 months was likely to be mucous from a respiratory issue.
Immediately, you need to increase the temperatures into the proper range. If I were you, I would switch over to a plastic tub style setup. This will allow the snake to be in a much warmer and more humid environment than the glass tank can provide.
You are looking for a 92 degree hot spot with an ambient temperature no lower than 82 degrees everywhere else. A thermostat will allow you to more accurately control the temperatures.
Once you have the caging right, give the snake a few days to settle in and see if the respiratory issues get any better. If not, you'll need a vet to administer antibiotics to fight the infection. Make sure that your vet uses subcutaneous injections - the vets I know that treat RI have found the usual oral antibiotics to be almost worthless in treating ball pythons.
Resume feeding attempts once the caging is set up right and the respiratory issues are resolved. Sometimes putting a meal in a sick snake can make things worse, as the energy required to digest a meal has to be diverted from fighting an illness. Depending upon the condition of the animal, you may want to use a dropper to get some fluids in the snake during treatment. A water/pedialyte mixture sometimes helps jump start their system while you try to fight the infection.
In short:
Set the cage up right
Call a vet
Hope that helps.
Immediately, you need to increase the temperatures into the proper range. If I were you, I would switch over to a plastic tub style setup. This will allow the snake to be in a much warmer and more humid environment than the glass tank can provide.
You are looking for a 92 degree hot spot with an ambient temperature no lower than 82 degrees everywhere else. A thermostat will allow you to more accurately control the temperatures.
Once you have the caging right, give the snake a few days to settle in and see if the respiratory issues get any better. If not, you'll need a vet to administer antibiotics to fight the infection. Make sure that your vet uses subcutaneous injections - the vets I know that treat RI have found the usual oral antibiotics to be almost worthless in treating ball pythons.
Resume feeding attempts once the caging is set up right and the respiratory issues are resolved. Sometimes putting a meal in a sick snake can make things worse, as the energy required to digest a meal has to be diverted from fighting an illness. Depending upon the condition of the animal, you may want to use a dropper to get some fluids in the snake during treatment. A water/pedialyte mixture sometimes helps jump start their system while you try to fight the infection.
In short:
Set the cage up right
Call a vet
Hope that helps.
To add to all the GREAT advice... he needs to get off the current bedding. Humidity can be a big factor and moisture can be trapped in the bedding.
good luck with the snake, not sure I could leave my pets for that long without a webcam or something lol.
BreellaBlue87;2967199; said:
Do you suggest a better bedding? Also used a type at petco that is light straw colored and fluffy. I cant think of the name. Maybe aspen shreds or something. I will tell my snake caregiver these suggestions.
When using a rubbermaid tub how do you ensure air flow/security/heating etc..? Any design suggestions? I am pretty sure he has outgrown his current enclosure and needs a replacement.
Thanks to everyone for thier advice.
Brooklynella;2962080; said:Sounds like the "Throw up" could actually be "Couch up". In other words...mucus. Snakes open their mouths to breathe when they are congested. THis explains the yawning.
Get some TC tablets from any pet shop and raise the temps. Disolve the TC powder in water and change it out every other day for 10-14 days.
Have your friend buy a $1.99 thermometer too.
Don't ignore this situation or "Wait it out". 6 months is a long time.
What are TC tablets?
