Sick snake, can soemone help?

[Allies_snakes]

Hi there,
I would like to get a few opinions about my snake (16mnth spotted python) the last few days she has been blowing her throat up. She is about to slough so I dont want to touch her. If I go near the enclosure she blows her throat up, there is a mild crackling sound as well.
I got an opinion from someone already that suggested that it is either a Protazoan infection or she is doing it as she has started eating bigger prey. I didnt mention before that she has this crackling sound when she does it. Not all the time, but I can hear it a little.

She will be going to the vet tomorrow to make sure. Importantly, Im new to the brisbane area, can anyone recommend a good vet that specialises in snakes? Im in Morningside (East side).

Kind regards,

Ali.

[deadflesh]

Straight to the vet!
That's a sign of respiratory infection.
Tell them that you need an injection of baytril.

[Allies_snakes]

nice one thanks mate.

[symbol]

Yes I would also say its a resp infection. Get it treated asap if not sooner!!!

[reptilesDownUnder]

Hi Ali,

A few vets are listed here:

Veterinary doctors recommended by members

There's also:

Deborah Monks - http://www.bbevs.com.au/home.html

I don't really know what you mean when you say 'blowing her throat up'. One of my Children's pythons developed a swollen throat quite rapidly. I fed him and the swelling disappeared almost immediately. I put it down to oedema of unknown origin. I know of someone else who had an experience like this. If there's a wheezing sound as she's breathing, it could be a respiratory infection (as suggested above). Taking her to a good herp vet is definitely the best action. The "Protazoan infection or she is doing it as she has started eating bigger prey" opinion makes no sense to me at all. If it is a respiratory infection, it's most likely bacterial, but possibly viral or fungal.


Good luck with your snake (and let us know what happens),

Stewart

[Allies_snakes]

Thank you all so much, we are on our way to the after house vet. Much thanks.

[reptilesDownUnder]

Originally Posted by Allies_snakes

Thank you all so much, we are on our way to the after house vet.

Do you mean an after hours vet? Make sure that they know something about reptiles, because seeing a vet who has no experience with reptiles is probably going to be pointless.

Stewart

[Allies_snakes]

Hey Stewart,
Thanks so much, I took her to the after hours vet, who consults with Debbie Monks. He was quite experienced and I was happy with his diagnoses. Deff. a respiratory infection. He gave her a shot of the baytril and I am going to see Debbie tomorrow to follow up with another injection (he thinks she will have to have a course of them and possible be given injections to do at home).

Her practise is quite close to where I live, so pretty happy with that. I am very particular about who my snakes see, not that I have ever had to take them much and I was please with his level of knowledge and that he refered me to Debbie.

Just have to see now how my snake goes with the medicaiton and hope that we have treated her in time.

Again, thank you so much.

Ali.

[reptilesDownUnder]

Hi Ali,

Glad to hear you managed to see someone. You'll definitely have to have a course of antibiotics - giving one injection of Baytril to a reptile is pointless.

I hope you continue to keep us informed of your snake's progress (by posting updates to this thread).


Stewart

[Armand]

yeh good work mate taking it to the vet was a good choice.. my snakes are going to the vet tomorrow for a check up and ill get into a monthly habbit of taking them.. let me encourage everyone to do this even if it cos a few dollars but its very helpful even if you go every 2 months or so..

[mrmikk]

Don't worry abut 'opinion' just take your snake to the vet, you are at Mornignside, try Deborah Monks at Brisbane Birds abd Exotics Veterinary Service at Upper Mount Gravatt, Kessels Rd.

Good luck

[Allies_snakes]

Yes, will keep you updated on her progress, sorry about the PM Stewart, just getting used to how this site works.
Cheers.

[MrBredli]

Have you determined how the snake developed the RI? It is usually something to do with the captive husbandry (being kept too cold is the most common cause) and if the cause is not remedied the same thing will happen again. What sort of tempertures does the snake have access to (previously and now)?

[Allies_snakes]

Yes, she was in victoria with me for 4months, vet thinks combinaiton of change in temp (cairns to melb) and I went from a heat rock to heat light, but possibly not hot enough at the time. That is all sorted out now and fingers crossed she will be ok.

[Allies_snakes]

Just to let those of you who posted replys and helped with info about my spotty, she has been seeing Debbie Monks, Debbie gave her 2 injections of Fortrum over 3 days and has supplied me with 7 more doses for the course of 3-4wks.

Bindi (spotty) is doing really well and seems to be her normal happy self. We went and saw the guy at Everything Reptile at Manly and changed her heating from a rock heater to infra red bulb with thermostat control.

Was deffinately not warm enough and the change of temps from Cairns to Melb to Bris was the problem. She and the other snakes have been well travelled, but they are permanent Brisbane residents now.

Thanks guys for caring and your helpful knowlegde.

Ali.