Why is my ribbon snake spinning, gasping, and can't hold its head up?

It sounds like she either is trying to regurgitate a meal or she has a respiratory infection. When was she last fed? How large was the prey? How often do you feed her? Do you hear any wheezing? Any bubbles coming out of the nose or mouth? I don't really have enough information here to be helpful. The yellowing of the scales appears to be mild scale rot. You can try treating her at home with dilute betadine solution (1 part betadine to 10 parts water). If she has yellow scales all over her body you can soak her in a betadine solution bath for 20 minutes TWICE a day every day until the infection clears up. If it is just the location in the photo you can just apply the dilute betadine directly to those areas with a cotton swab. The betadine solution should be 10% betadine and the water should be lukewarm (80-85°F). After bathing, rinse the snake off and apply a topical antibiotic ointment (something like Neosporin will work fine). If the infection doesn't get better or even worsens, discontinue the betadine baths and seek professional help immediately. If you would like to post again with more information or opt for a private consult we may be able to help you better. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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.

Have her examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet. The lump may be a temporary build up of fluid that collects and drains when she changes positions. This can indicate respiratory infection or cardiac disease. Monitor for difficulty or noisy breathing, especially clicking or wheezing. Limit handling to reduce stress until she sees the vet.

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.

She may be stressful or aggravated. Check temps in the enclosure, she may be too warm. If you hear wheezing or popping and see discharge, then have her examined by your veterinarian. She may have or be developing a respiratory infection.

Check her mouth for foreign bodies, injury or infection if she allows. Monitor for persistent or worsening symptoms and have her examined by your vet or a vet experienced in treating reptiles if necessary. If she is behaving and eating normally otherwise, it may be simply something unique she does.

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.