I Need Help!

[Zeus-n-Slinky]

I have a ball python who was "blowing bubbles" from his mouth. Does anyone know why this happens? I know it could be a sign of illness but was wondering what exactly or if it could be something else. I'm not sure if it makes a difference or not be he is in the middle of a shed cycle. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Severe respiratory infection, go to the vet NOW.

And when you've done that and begin getting your snake treated, we can check over your enclosure and general husbandry to see if there's anything that can be fixed to prevent this happening again.

 

[xchondrox]

Yet definately a R.I. take it to a vet that has expierence with reptiles or will listen to your adivce. Tell them your snake has a RI and needs a Trachea flush/bacteria culture! If they dont do that and diagnose the improper anti-biotic for the specific strain of bacteria/s thats causing the problems you could end up losing the animal. Lost a nice green&white sanzinia like that.

 

[xchondrox]

also try to lower the humidity the best you can; no water bowl in cage-only offer it every other day, and no misting.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

no water bowl in cage-only offer it every other day

That sounds like a good way to get a dehydrated animal, though, and that won't help either.

 

[xchondrox]

The snake wont dehydrate if its offered water every other day!

You need to reduce the humidity in the cage as much as possible to help prevent further bacteria growth. Clean the cage out well with a 10% bleach solution, use paper towel or newspaper as substrate, and take it to the vet asap it will need medication if its to the bubble blowing stage.

 

[Zoltan]

Can't low temperatures be a cause of this as well? How high humidity is too much for the snake. I think misting is only a good idea if your snake is nearing a molt, it if it's moderately done. In fact, I don't think it's needed at all, if a water bowl big enough for the snake to have a bath in it is available. But of course it depends on the ambient humidity in your house, thus your snake's tank. Sorry about your snake, hope he gets better soon!

 

[Mushroom Spore]

Can't low temperatures be a cause of this as well?

Yep. Respiratory infections are basically the common cold/flu, but they are particularly bad news in snakes. First because most snakes have only one working lung, and second because they rarely show symptoms until it's already gotten quite bad. If they're to the point where they've got fluid coming from their mouth/nostrils like in this thread, it's BAD. Early signs are usually little hissing/wheezing/squeaking sounds, though those noises can also be caused by excessively dry air sometimes.

How high humidity is too much for the snake. I think misting is only a good idea if your snake is nearing a molt, it if it's moderately done.

I don't think any level of high humidity can hurt them, barring two factors: if their environment is actually WET long-term it can cause skin infections, and if their enclosure doesn't have any ventilation then a humid environment is a good way to make a breeding ground for bacteria and sickness (especially with the snake producing waste every so often).

But I don't think regular old air humidity can hurt them, it gets really humid here and I've never had any issues with it. The dry winters yes, but never from high humidity.

In fact, I don't think it's needed at all, if a water bowl big enough for the snake to have a bath in it is available. But of course it depends on the ambient humidity in your house, thus your snake's tank.

Absolutely true. I never mist, and never have.

I have a huge plastic dog bowl for his water, I cover about 85% of the tank screen with a towel, and I use aspen shavings (which seem to leave you with better humidity than reptile carpet does for some reason). Also I live in the southeastern US, which is generally humid for much of the year.

However in this case lowering the humidity is generally suggested for snakes that are *already sick* in the hopes of drying out the fluid that the infection is causing to flood their airways. It won't cure them and is absolutely no replacement for medication from a vet, but it can help make the ordeal a bit easier and maybe give the snake a better chance of making it through.

 

[Jmugleston]

Take the first recommendation. Take it to a vet. It may be husbandry, but check what you have going before you start changing things. RI can be caused by numerous factors. Humidity: Too much or too little. Temps: Too low. Improper thermogradient. It could be the result of a weakened immune system that occured secondary to a primary problem you cannot see. The bubbles are from the mucus building up in the respiratory tract. As mentioned above snakes have only the one lung and they also lack a diaphragm so clearing the mucus is difficult. Usually they will tilt their heads up, contort their bodies, or perch in a way to help drain the fluid. But this is all besides the point. Take it to the vet. Check your husbandry and find out where you are going wrong. Lowering the humidity in a cage that is too dry will only worsen the problem. Check your high/low temps, make sure you have a gradient, make sure you aren't making a swamp in there etc.