RI in baby ball

dnhhensley07 · 10-24-11, 02:37 PM

My ball is about 2 feet long and under a year old I am told. It looks like he's gotten an RI. We noticed it on Saturday. I am new to the whole snake thing. Called the pet shop where I got him and they said to dry him out by increasing the temp in the cage. Then if he's still foamy in a week I am to take him in to the vet for a shot. Is this something that can clear up on it's own?

Do I still feed him? Since he's struggling with all the foam in his mouth.

Thanks for any info!

**millertime89** · 10-24-11, 03:33 PM

Can it? yes. Will it? well it depends on how bad it is.

Lankyrob · 10-25-11, 05:20 AM

I would suggest that if it is gotten to the stage of foaming at the mouth it needs a vet NOW. If you catch an RI really early then increasing the temps can help but it sounds like it needs medical attention.

mykee · 10-25-11, 09:46 AM

Drying out a ball pythons environment is the opposite of what to do, increase the humidity as high as you can while also increasing the temperatures. If you see outward signs of an RI, it's progressed and you need a vet. BTW, tell the pet shop they're idiots for passing on bad info.
Also, you rarely see RI's in babies, they are very resilient. You can literally toss a baby ball pyhon into a snow heap for 10 minutes, bring him inside and once it warms back up he'll be fine.
My guess is this animal is in dire need of a vet trip because some bad things have happened if a baby ball has an RI.
Good luck.