[Health-General] I think my redtail boa is sick :(

[spigutz]

I got my first snake pet, a redtail boa, about 3 weeks ago. He's about 20 inches.

Here are some pics of him when I first got him.

http://prntscr.com/8d30ym

http://prntscr.com/8d3186

He has something wrong with his mouth, eye, and skin. The mouth looks like he can't shut it because something is wrong with it. One eye is about 2 times as the other one. And his skin has random bumps that are hard. He also has these dry parts on his head.

Here are some pictures of him. (Sorry if they aren't good quality, my camera sucks)

http://prntscr.com/8d32u9

http://prntscr.com/8d32yb

http://prntscr.com/8d330n

http://prntscr.com/8d3358

I had him in a pretty bad cage at first, but now I have upgraded it with a heat lamp. day/night light, a heat pad, a big water bowl, a log-home, and mulch.

Here's a picture of my cage currently.

http://prntscr.com/8d33hg

The humidity is usually around 55% but I spray the mulch until its around 60%-70% but I have to do it a lot because I am at work/school a lot so I don't have time to do it all day. The temperature stays around 75 degrees F-80 degrees F. I change his bowl of water every other day with room-temperature water.

I tried feeding him multiple (dead) pinkies but he has only ate half of one out of the six I gave him, when I left it in his cage overnight. I am now trying to feed him fuzzies to see if it helps.

If you need anymore info about my snake please comment. I look forward to your feedback.

[Jrock23]

Re: I think my redtail boa is sick

Well 1st I can not see the pics and good idea with using mulch because it holds humidity very well. You need to rise the humidity in the cage, you shouldn`t have to constantly stray so much if your using mulch bedding. So my question is, what kind of cage are you using? Your snake is stressed out thats why he or she is not eating. Your snake could also have RI

[Noelle7206]

Re: I think my redtail boa is sick

Even without being able to see the pics, you have taken on quite a bit with a sick snake. Was this a rescue or did you buy him? Vet care for exotic pets is not inexpensive...there's only so much we can do here.

I can't speak for the skin issues...but the mouth and his eye both sound infected & I highly recommend you get him to a vet (experienced with reptiles!) quickly. Take a fresh stool sample too, if he makes one.

His cage temperatures sound a bit low too...75-80* is ok for the cool side of cage, but even a healthy boa needs a warmer area (85* or so) and it often helps a sick boa to raise temps about 3* on both sides of cage.

Recommend you read the boa care guide (on this site). Mouse pinks are too small, feed either mouse fuzzies or rat pinks (dead), & you might want to jiggle them with tongs to get him interested...HOWEVER, if his
mouth is injured or infected, he may not want to eat until that's taken care of....please get him to a reptile vet, ok?

[zamora]

Re: I think my redtail boa is sick

Even without being able to see the pics, you have taken on quite a bit with a sick snake. Was this a rescue or did you buy him? Vet care for exotic pets is not inexpensive...there's only so much we can do here.

I can't speak for the skin issues...but the mouth and his eye both sound infected & I highly recommend you get him to a vet (experienced with reptiles!) quickly. Take a fresh stool sample too, if he makes one.

His cage temperatures sound a bit low too...75-80* is ok for the cool side of cage, but even a healthy boa needs a warmer area (85* or so) and it often helps a sick boa to raise temps about 3* on both sides of cage.

Recommend you read the boa care guide (on this site). Mouse pinks are too small, feed either mouse fuzzies or rat pinks (dead), & you might want to jiggle them with tongs to get him interested...HOWEVER, if his
mouth is injured or infected, he may not want to eat until that's taken care of....please get him to a reptile vet, ok?

I agree with Noelle, your boa sounds like it needs a vet visit, and promptly. Please make sure that the vet you use is trained in exotics, as much as it pains me to say it, vets that don't know about snakes can do more harm than good. Sorry I can't help more, I couldn't see the pictures either. Keep us posted please.

[Joba1972]

Re: I think my redtail boa is sick

Where are you located? Someone here may be able to recommend a good herp vet.

[TammyJam]

Re: I think my redtail boa is sick

I hope this boa gets to a good reptile vet, it certainly sounds like it is very urgent!

Not seeing the pictures at all, can you try to post them correctly?

Let us know the progress, please.

[Elizabeth94]

Re: I think my redtail boa is sick

I had him in a pretty bad cage at first, but now I have upgraded it with a heat lamp. day/night light, a heat pad, a big water bowl, a log-home, and mulch.

When you say mulch, is it a reptile product or something you got from home depot or similar store? You have to be careful if you get bedding that is not rated for reptiles. Some mulches in home depot or Lowes can have harmful fertilizers and additives that will severely injure and even kill your boa.

Just an idea only because I know people like to save money by buying in bulk.. Others have already commented on other possible issues. You don't want to feed multiple pray items in one sitting either, just one appropriately sized rat (seems like you left multiple for him/her overnight).

[TammyJam]

Re: I think my redtail boa is sick

I got my first snake pet, a redtail boa, about 3 weeks ago. He's about 20 inches.

Here are some pics of him when I first got him.
Screenshot by Lightshot
Screenshot by Lightshot

He has something wrong with his mouth, eye, and skin. The mouth looks like he can't shut it because something is wrong with it. One eye is about 2 times as the other one. And his skin has random bumps that are hard. He also has these dry parts on his head.
Here are some pictures of him. (Sorry if they aren't good quality, my camera sucks)
Screenshot by Lightshot
Screenshot by Lightshot
Screenshot by Lightshot
Screenshot by Lightshot

I had him in a pretty bad cage at first, but now I have upgraded it with a heat lamp. day/night light, a heat pad, a big water bowl, a log-home, and mulch.
Here's a picture of my cage currently.
Screenshot by Lightshot

The humidity is usually around 55% but I spray the mulch until its around 60%-70% but I have to do it a lot because I am at work/school a lot so I don't have time to do it all day. The temperature stays around 75 degrees F-80 degrees F. I change his bowl of water every other day with room-temperature water.

I tried feeding him multiple (dead) pinkies but he has only ate half of one out of the six I gave him, when I left it in his cage overnight. I am now trying to feed him fuzzies to see if it helps.

If you need anymore info about my snake please comment. I look forward to your feedback.

Where are you? Have you taken the boa to a vet? That is the best advice we can give you right now!

[TammyJam]

Re: I think my redtail boa is sick

I have seen the pictures and I can only repeat, the snake needs immediate expert attention at a reptile vet!

Also take out the wood chips or whatever that particulate substrate is and just line the bottom with newspaper or paper towel. Clean out the enclosure and take out the rodents, this would be a good start AFTER the vet visit.

[Noelle7206]

Re: I think my redtail boa is sick

Seeing the pix now (thanks Tammy!) and I'm sorry to say your snake is in bad shape. He needs immediate medical care & I hope he can be made healthy again. That swollen eye...an infection of that sort is not only
painful but very likely to affect the snake's brain (in close proximity). Can't stress this enough, this is SERIOUS. Please get him to a vet and good luck. Keep us posted, please.

[bebowebb]

Re: I think my redtail boa is sick

If you notice that I edited your post, it was my attempt at getting your pictures to display in the thread or at least get the links to display as clickable.

Unfortunately I was unsuccessful and you will need to post at least one more post to be approved through moderation (which will take you out of moderation as a member) before those types of changes can take place.