Help with MD

[margmorgan]

Hi, I have recently acquired a murray darling python and not sure of what sex it is. It is having breathing difficulties and has a swollen mouth. Please tell me what could be wrong! I have taken it to a vet that was not a herp specialist just a vet and they gave me antibiotics but snakee is still not better and that was a few weeks ago

 

[Tristan.C]

Well it sounds like a respitory infection, something stuck in its mouth.... How long ago did you receive the python, and when did it start?

 

[Schnecke]

I'm not able to help, but if you provide a little bit more information, someone with more experience should be able to:

* How long have you had the snake?
* How long have the symptoms been present? (before original vet visit)
* What was the vet's original diagnosis?
* Is it still active?
* Can you tell us a little about the enclosure, size, heating etc?

Hopefully someone will be able to help.

Location information will also enable someone to tell you where the closest herp vet is.

 

[Tristan.C]

^^^^ that

 

[margmorgan]

I have only had him for a couple of weeks but he had it for about three weeks before that. When we decided to buy him we took him to the vet as we were worried about it. The vet said maybe a respitory infection but that is what we suggested it could have been but he didnt know but he called a mate of his whom he said was a herp person. He has only been in his new enclosure for about 10 days. We dont have electricity but I have been putting in hot water bottles to try to heat him when we dont have our generator on.

I am at Gooloogong NSW near Cowra or Orange

 

[Tristan.C]

Wouldnt the hot water bottles cause condensation, increasing the humidity in the enclosure... last thing yoou want if your snake has a RI and HEAT! you need heat.... Why would you buy a sick snake? Its like buying a dog with an ear infection... A reason why the snake may have got the RI was from high humidities or low temps... which you both have, so you arent really going to get no where until both of them are fixed. Thats the first thing you need to look at.
Good Luck,

 

[Chris1]

sorry to say, a snake needs more than hot water bottles for heat, it needs the whole enclosure heated with an extra warm basking spot 24/7 at least till its fully recovered.

If you cant provide good heat, the snake will end up dying, regardless of antibiotics.

CAn someone with electricity take it till its recovered and summer hits? it will be fine over summer with reduced hours of heating, but right now it needs alot more than it sounds like you are able to provide.

 

[Ellannn]

Like Tristan said, the hot water bottle would produce a lot of condensation causing high levels of humidity in its enclosure. Last thing you want if your snake has R.I.

How long are you planning on not having electricity for?

Can you ask the vet to take it until you have the proper equipment and heating to provide the correct care for it?