My new snake isn't eating, has cloudy eyes, and wheezes. What's wrong?

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.

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.

Any new pet should be examined by a veterinarian within 72 hours of arriving home to confirm good health or to treat any preexisting conditions. If she is having difficulty breathing, she should be seen sooner rather than later in case she has or is developing a respiratory infection. Monitor for lethargy or discharge from the nose or mouth. Increase humidity or soak in warm water to facilitate shedding. You can also use commercial shed sprays that can be purchased online or in most pet stores. Follow this link for more information regarding care of ball pythons: http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html

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.

Thanks for reaching out about Fred. No, pythons do not have echolocation capabilities. Eyes can be cloudy pre-shed (called "in blue") or from infection. The clicking noise is probably an indication of a respiratory infection. check the environmental temperature and correct any deficiencies. A veterinary visit is recommended for antibiotics. Good luck.

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.

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.