Why is my ball python breathing visibly and struggling to shed?

Thanks for reaching out about Lilith. Check and correct husbandry parameters for temperature range. Try increasing to 90-95 F in the warm end, to try and stimulate the immune system. Continue to monitor for nasal discharge or increased oral mucous. If the condition progresses, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

Wheezing can be a symptom of serious respiratory infection (either bacterial or fungal). Ideally, he should be seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles for diagnosis and to begin the appropriate medication. Monitor the humidity in his enclosure as this can complicate respiratory infection.

A respiratory infection will need to be diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Antibiotics are typically required to treat RI. Other symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, discharge from the nose or mouth and gaping (resting with the mouth wide open). During the exam, your vet can examine Kaa's eyes to diagnose retained eye caps. He or she should be able to remove them. In the meantime, monitor temperature and humidity. Soak Kaa in a warm bath to facilitate shedding if there are still "bits" remaining.

Hi, and thanks for your request. If your Ball Python consistently experiencing shedding problems, it usually means the enclosure is too dry. Please follow the suggestions you can find on this link: http://livingartreptiles.tripod.com/id100.html

Thank you for reaching out about your ball python - she is really cute! There are a few things you can try/check for the appetite. Often times, when we are seeing issues with appetite, the first thing we try to do is check the husbandry and ensure that it is as perfect as it can be. Sometimes in between seasons the temperatures can get off in the enclosure, and I would recommend checking that first. Also, the humidity can affect the shedding intervals, in addition to the temperature. I would recommend evaluating the temperatures in the enclosure with digital thermometers to ensure that they are appropriate. Also, based on how she looks in the photos, she appears to be in fair body condition, so she may also be regulating herself as far as her weight/appetite goes. This would be a bit of an exception for a ball python, as most of them will overeat and become overweight. But, there are exceptions to the rule and maybe she is one of them! For the prey items - I like that you are using a separate container, and that you are warming the prey items in warm water. Please ensure that the water gets them to body temperature for rodents, which is around 100-102F. Often snakes will eat prey items that are cooler than that, but if a snake is being picky I try to encourage owners to get them measure the temperature to ensure it is warm enough. I hope that this gives you a place to start, and if she doesn't eat despite all of these changes, I would recommend a veterinary visit for her!

She is stunning. The best way to confirm good health is to have her examined by an experienced herp veterinarian. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. In the meantime, make sure she is active and alert. Look for missing scales or injury along the length of her body. Check in and around her mouth for discharge, redness or swelling. Offer appropriately sized prey. At her age, she is probably eating hopper or weanling mice depending on her weight. When feeding any reptile, it is important that the temperature is species appropriate. A cold snake will not eat. If you feed pre killed, be sure to completely thaw it and allow it to warm to at least room temp. Some owners choose to feed in a container other than the enclosure. A snake should not be handled after feeding to prevent regurgitation. Follow the link below for more information regarding care. http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html

Bowie looks as if he is going into a shed. If you're saying he has recently shed, the blue eyes may indicate infection or other condition. The wheezing is concerning since it may indicate a respiratory infection (RI). Ideally, Bowie should be physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. If a RI is diagnosed, antibiotics can be administered or dispensed.