July 14, 2026
Respiratory Infection in a Ball Python
Open-mouth breathing and mucoid discharge in a ball python, RI workup.
Fix the husbandry, treat the infection, check the mouth.
🐍Exotic (Ball Python)⚖️1.2 kg🦠Exotic / Respiratory📋Routine
Ball python ~1.2kg, adult female. Open mouth breathing, bubbles from nares, wheezing. Owner keeps her in a glass tank, ambient temp ~72F, no heat gradient. Eating fine until last week. Resp infection?
OpenVet
Moderate EvidenceBased on 5 clinical references
🐍RESPIRATORY INFECTION, HUSBANDRY-DRIVEN — Open-mouth breathing + nasal discharge + suboptimal temps = classic RI. Fix husbandry AND treat medically.
Husbandry Correction (Most Important)
- Warm side: 88–92°F, cool side: 78–80°F, radiant heat panel with thermostat; humidity 55–70%
- Substrate: Coconut fiber or cypress mulch; avoid cedar/pine (toxic)
- Without proper POTZ, immune function is suppressed and antibiotics alone will fail
Diagnostics
- Oral exam, check for stomatitis (mouth rot); commonly concurrent
- Tracheal wash + C&S, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas common
- Whole-body rads, pneumonia shows increased radiopacity in caudal lung
Treatment
- Ceftazidime 20 mg/kg IM q72h, first-line pending C&S; gram-negative coverage
- If Pseudomonas: Enrofloxacin 5–10 mg/kg IM q48h per C&S
- Nebulization: Gentamicin 5 mg/mL in saline, 15 min q12h in enclosed container
- Supportive: Shallow warm water soak (85°F) 15 min daily to loosen secretions
💬Client Communication
The infection is linked to low temperatures, snakes need warmth to fight infection. We'll start antibiotics, but fixing the enclosure is the single most important step.
Sources
📚Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine, 3rd Ed🔬J Herpetological Med Surg: Snake Respiratory Disease
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