I was observing the Suriname red tailed boa that my husband and I have just purchased and suspect a possible upper respiratory infection. He opens his mouth once in a while and I've not seen any other snake do that so I figured I'd take him into the vet tomorrow. He's doesn't have any mucus or clicking or anything else, just the mouth opening.

Right now the temps in the cage are at 90F (at the warm end) and the humidity is around 60% at the moment. He has soaked in his water dish a few times since we got him (3 days ago) and seems alert and even a little defensive (I've notice him "S" back anytime I reach near him). He's a little on the thin side in my opinion as well. Telling my husband that didn't keep him from wanting him though. I guess I have a very determined husband but I always have to end up fixing his messes.

Anyone got any ideas??? Should I wait and observe more before taking him in? As I said, the only sign of anything being wrong that he's showing is opening his mouth a few times. Though as many of the more experienced keepers have said, reptiles rarely show much sign of illness when they are in fact bad off.

Any advice would be helpful, thanks.

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http://dragcave.net/user/manhirwen

Being that he is still a baby, I would not hesitate to take to the vet at all. Although you dont see the mucus etc, those are signs that it is progressing, you night not hear clicking but there could be slight wheezing, do you ever see him sleeping with his head up or any sign that his throat looks swollen (distended, inflated)?

All of the older bp's came thru just fine, but I was told that when they are younger the recovery is less likely (of course I wasnt told this until Aquarius passed) by my friends that took him to the vet, so I had great hope..

Anyway, if makes you feel more comfortable, I would take him in just for a check up.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Is the snake doing this a lot? Snakes will routinely yawn. They will also open and close their mouths to realign their jaws after eating. It is not a constant behavior though. If the snake is doing this frequently there may be a problem. A trip to the vet is a good idea. Since you say the snake is thin a test for parasites is in order anyway.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I say bring him to the vet also, you can never be too careful with babies

Just a thought, I notice our emeralds will often "yawn" after coming out of "blue" just before shedding.

Craig

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Gems of the Rainforest

I've taken him to the vet today. And a few of my suspicions were confirmed and a few weren't. He is underweight, which I suspected, dehydrated, and the possibility of parasites is high. The vet said that he looks like he's breathing fine and that the lungs are ok but his mouth has a high bacteria count so there is a possibility of mouthrot occuring is there. The vet said other than the weight and the dehydration he looks ok but to watch him carefully, up his temps (which they already are) and keep his humidity on the higher range. Also said to bring in a stool sample when I can get one because they want to check for parasites.

Well, there you have it, the vet visit in a nutshell. I told my husband that the snake looked a little thin before he bought it, but it's still alert. I ALSO told him that it probably has parasites, but that didn't stop him. My husband was dead set on getting that snake and there was nothing I could do to stop him. Though I'm not mad at my husband, I don't want to buy another snake from the guy.

Oh well, my hardheaded husband should listen to me next time, I hope.

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http://dragcave.net/user/manhirwen

glad everything is somewhat ohk, good luck with the fecal and keep us updated

I will keep you updated

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http://dragcave.net/user/manhirwen