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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
 Posted - 26/03/2011 : 13:17:14
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Hello everyone, as some of you know I got a lovely big BCI yesterday.
Today I went in to change the water and as I was moving her I noticed I could hear her breathing, alot like she was weezing or out of breath, I know in royals this is a sign of respiratory infection, however I also know she is huge and I thought maybe it's just that she has big lungs that when I concentrate I can hear her breath.
I also noticed a bubble at the corner of her mouth yesterday when I was holding her, I've not noticed any mucus or anything around her nose yet and I've not seen any more bubbles since yesterday.
Do you think this is RI or am I just being overly sensitive to a big snake? |
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7384 Posts |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 14:02:38
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OMG Kelfezond, I do hope not!
It's true that what you describe can be the signs of an RI, but (touch wood) I've never actually had to deal with one, and hopefully there will be more experienced people along soon.
I hope and pray it's a false alarm, but it's far better to be a worrybucket, I think, than ignore these things ... If you read my thread over on health you'll see I'm being a right worrybucket myself, but far far better eh? If there is a problem, keep observing the snake and then whatever it is can be nipped in the bud.
All the very best, keeping my fingers crossed for you. |
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 14:16:25
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Just spoke to the vet, it's RI.
Said to watch her for the weekend and see if it dissapears if not bring her to the vet.
weird thing was he advised me to spray down her viv twice a day to raise humidity incase her airways are dry as where most of the things I've read said the opposite to decrease humidity. |
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7384 Posts |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 14:40:25
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Well, I'm so very sorry to hear.
Could it be that the vet's advice of raising humidity every so often is akin to the 'steam treatment' (though this involves vick and friar's balsam) used to loosen the mucus in a RI? I've read that the steam can also cause extra wheezing etc as the snake finds relief (just like us coughing up gunge) so it could be you notice she's noisier during periods of humidity?
However, I'm no expert, and hope someone more knowledgeable will be along soon.
The only other thing is, when the vet said to watch her over the weekend and see if it disappears - could it be that this sort of thing can be caused by mild stress such as changing homes, and settle once the snake has settled? I know there is such a thing in cats, but obviously don't know the first thing about it in snakes.
If I were you, if I had any more questions for the vet, I'd ring them - that's their job and they are usually very supportive.
All the very very best and hope you get her problem cleared up asap. Good luck! |
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sandi
Sub Adult
787 Posts |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 21:45:55
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So sorry to hear this Kelf, I hope the vet is wrong.
Have you asked the previous owner if they had seen the signs? Do you think they were aware of it before selling her to you? Cant understand how anyone would let a sick snake go without making sure it would be treated so if they were good owners then they either didnt know about RIs or its just begun. If the latter then could just be a stress thing from the journey???? hoping so anyway.
Good luck, keep us posted. |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Florence
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor - Boris
1.1.0 Alaunts - Willow & Brochan |
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 26/03/2011 : 22:35:22
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It seems a very mild case, hopefully she'll be feeling better soon if not the vet should make it go away.
I rang another 4 vets today to get second opinions, 2 were closed so couldn't contact them, 1 I spoke to receptionist who wouldn't let me talk to a vet but decided to give me her opinion, as if the opinion of random receptionist #1 mattered to me? and the last one said the exact same thing, raise humidity raise temperature. Apparently the reason was to clear the airways of the snake.
As for the chap who was selling her to me, I'm an idiot for not noticing it when I was holding her as he mentioned that she doesn't hiss but she is a loud breather. I don't know if that's him not knowing the signs of RI or if he knew, hoped I didn't and tried to blag me off.
Anyway I've sent him an E-Mail, purely because he had a Burmese python in a viv close by and chances are they might both have it, he hasn't replied to me yet though and I sent the email this morning.
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7384 Posts |
Posted - 27/03/2011 : 11:47:55
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Hi, the vendor sounds like the numpty, not you - if he was trying to con you, I reckon he'd have kept quiet about her breathing. Doesn't sound like he realised, and if he did, well ...good thing she has come to you. A Pagan friend of mine would say that it was 'meant'.
With any luck now you can get her sorted out - and it's to be hoped that the vendor has the sense to keep an eye on that burm.
Then once this is behind you you will be able to enjoy owning a really fabulous snake - saw your video.
Erm, don't think I'm being a knowall here, but believe me, many vets' receptionists do know what they're talking about, I've encountered some really knowledgeable ones in my time and they will help if they can.
Good luck! |
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 27/03/2011 : 11:51:45
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I'm surre they do but I was looking for a second opijnion on a vet not just some advice so I needed somebody who was in the same profession.
Edit: and besides her advice was 'if you think there is a problem you should bring her in as soon as possible, shall I make you an appointment?'' just made the impression to me that she just wanted another paying client :( |
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Edited by - Kelfezond on 27/03/2011 11:53:13 |
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7384 Posts |
Posted - 27/03/2011 : 13:25:40
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Ah.
You didn't say at first.
Yes, I would have bristled at that. A good vet receptionist will listen - in fact many act as a sort of triage nurse, over the phone, I mean, and then, if they don't feel qualified to advise re appointment or in a preliminary way (like asking if an itchy dog has been bathed in a new shampoo, say) pass you on to a vet or nurse.
I rang a surgery where I wasn't registered the other day and I admit I tend to garble a bit, but what I was trying to say was, I thought the situation would be clearer if I waited for Surahi to shed, although I was prepared to bring her in straight away if they thought fit. The receptionist was honest enough to say she didn't know, and passed me straight over to a vet, who agreed with me that it was a good idea to wait. I certainly wasn't pressured to bring her in or even register, though I will be registering with them.
I think you were just unlucky - most vets' receptionists are excellent - at least you know which vet to avoid now.
All the best. |
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Edited by - n/a on 27/03/2011 13:29:28 |
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 27/03/2011 : 13:37:39
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| Yeah that vet was I think in fareham, there is a much closer one i'll be taking her to but I just wanted advise from her she didnt even ask if i'd like to talk to a vet :( |
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 28/03/2011 : 10:06:15
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Got Pandora out today to check for any signs of RI, couldn't see a thing. Breathing was silent, no bubbles or mucus.
Think it might have been the long 4 hour drive that had just done her in?
I'm not exactly a vet it's possible I mis-diagnosed her |
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reptilemadd
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 28/03/2011 : 10:27:55
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| Hopefully Kelf (fingers crossed no vet visit needed) good luck |
1.0.0 beardie "magic"
1.1.0 100% Het Clown "Cerberus" and "Artemis"
0.1.0 Poss Calico "Ariadne"
1.0.0 Lesser " Kronos"
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 28/03/2011 : 11:01:30
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| Just rang the vet, they suggested leaving her as she is if the weezing comes back then bring her down |
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n/a
deleted
7384 Posts |
Posted - 28/03/2011 : 11:19:47
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Keeping my fingers crossed - no more wheezing! |
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sandi
Sub Adult
787 Posts |
Posted - 28/03/2011 : 16:26:34
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| Got fingers crossed for her and you! Sounding good though. x |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Florence
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor - Boris
1.1.0 Alaunts - Willow & Brochan |
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STICKS
Yearling
United Kingdom
408 Posts |
Posted - 28/03/2011 : 17:17:37
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| Hi there fingers crossed XX ,May have just been the car journey.Let's know how it go's all the best Dave. |
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Dio
Yearling
United Kingdom
297 Posts |
Posted - 28/03/2011 : 23:48:08
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quote:
Originally posted by BurnedAtTheStake
A good vet receptionist will listen - in fact many act as a sort of triage nurse, over the phone, I mean, and then, if they don't feel qualified to advise re appointment or in a preliminary way (like asking if an itchy dog has been bathed in a new shampoo, say) pass you on to a vet or nurse.
A lot of vets use their nurses/trainee nurses as their receptionist so they are able to give advise over the phone and deal with emergancies. It's one of the things that's making me hmm and ahh over becoming a vet nurse. |
0.0.1 Royal Python (Dio)
0.1.0 Angora Cat (Blue)
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 10:30:27
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Back from the vet's!
Pandora has RI but it's not reached her lungs yet, all in the head. Like a head-cold mixed with tonsillitis I guess.
She had a big injection of antibiotics which will last her until Monday where she'll go back again to see if she's okay :) |
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n/a
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7384 Posts |
Posted - 30/03/2011 : 11:35:14
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Glad you've caught it in time - that sounds encouraging. Good luck with her.
Rub vick on her chest and make her wrap up warm and wear a woolly vest.
Then she'll be your little vested interest ... |
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Kelfezond
The bearded one
United Kingdom
4803 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2011 : 14:57:54
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Another vet appointment today.
She is improving but will still need a few more injections before she's A1 again. |
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sandi
Sub Adult
787 Posts |
Posted - 04/04/2011 : 21:23:18
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poor wee girl, hope its all sorted soon.
Had a bit of a scare with boris last night, thought i heard a weeze. Not a single sound today though and he seems fine but going to keep an eye and ear on him. |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Florence
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor - Boris
1.1.0 Alaunts - Willow & Brochan |
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R.I ?
