Saliva in back of throat? But no RI?

[Sarah Jane]

Due to a cold night last night and no heat, I checked my snake's mouth gently with a credit card to see if he had any beginnings of an RI. It took about 4 tries of holding his head because he kept coiling over himself. He had some saliva and bubbles at the back of his throat - I am wondering if this is because essentially he was constricting my arm and trying to get out of my grip, it kind of got the process of saliva going as would happen when about to eat?

He's normal in every other way. No popping, wheezing, open mouth breathing. Due to be fed soon and he's never refused a feed. I will call a vet specialist tomorrow and confirm but wanted to ask some snake specialists. Thanks in advance!

 

[Herpetology]

you checked your snakes throat because of a singular cold night and no heat? and now you're planning to see a reptile specialist vet?

 

[Mack86]

He's fine just leave him be. If he doesn't eat don't worry, it's winter.....

 

[Sarah Jane]

you checked your snakes throat because of a singular cold night and no heat? and now you're planning to see a reptile specialist vet?

I was going to *call* one for their opinion but I’ve received enough feedback to know saliva can be present without an RI. Internet can be a ****ty place with misinformation.

That night was the first night I’d checked his temp because it was unusually cold. I’m not sure if he’s gone to the lower end in the past week because the temp has been quite cool.

 

[Herpetology]

I was going to *call* one for their opinion but I’ve received enough feedback to know saliva can be present without an RI. Internet can be a ****ty place with misinformation.

That night was the first night I’d checked his temp because it was unusually cold. I’m not sure if he’s gone to the lower end in the past week because the temp has been quite cool.

they'll do better with a few days/weeks of no heat (assuming you're not trying to feed them) than a few hours too hot (that they cant escape) which can cause irreversible neurological problems or worse

 

[Sarah Jane]

they'll do better with a few days/weeks of no heat (assuming you're not trying to feed them) than a few hours too hot (that they cant escape) which can cause irreversible neurological problems or worse

Thankfully never too hot. Picking up some more supplies for nighttime today anyway, so I’ll be able to feed him in the next few days. Took him out for a little snakey stroll this morning and he’s looking fine - no weird sounds, breathing normal, jaw and head is fine (a lot of people have been really aggro about the credit card thing and me holding his head saying I could cause jaw dislocation or mouth injuries like I didn’t know how to hold him? I had a firm grip and gently opened his mouth with the credit card going the direction of his teeth lol. People think I strangled him and pried his mouth open. Like yes injury is possible but very unlikely.

Anyway. I overstressed. I know I did. Still over stressing a bit but I’m working on it. Thanks for your comment

 

[Herpetology]

Thankfully never too hot. Picking up some more supplies for nighttime today anyway, so I’ll be able to feed him in the next few days. Took him out for a little snakey stroll this morning and he’s looking fine - no weird sounds, breathing normal, jaw and head is fine (a lot of people have been really aggro about the credit card thing and me holding his head saying I could cause jaw dislocation or mouth injuries like I didn’t know how to hold him? I had a firm grip and gently opened his mouth with the credit card going the direction of his teeth lol. People think I strangled him and pried his mouth open. Like yes injury is possible but very unlikely.

Anyway. I overstressed. I know I did. Still over stressing a bit but I’m working on it. Thanks for your comment

if you're really that worried about night time temps, All you would need to do is run a small room heater for a few hours and the room will keep its temp (more so than being outside), I wouldn't be aiming for 30+ temps over night, especially if its not a hatchling
Personally, i'd allow it to just stay in those temps as its now winter and it'll be good to go throught the cooling process for the next few month allowing it 8~ ish hours of heating a day will be more than enough. Thats what they've evolved to do, they'll keep that basking warmth throughout the day and the night

 

[Sarah Jane]

if you're really that worried about night time temps, All you would need to do is run a small room heater for a few hours and the room will keep its temp (more so than being outside), I wouldn't be aiming for 30+ temps over night, especially if its not a hatchling
Personally, i'd allow it to just stay in those temps as its now winter and it'll be good to go throught the cooling process for the next few month allowing it 8~ ish hours of heating a day will be more than enough. Thats what they've evolved to do, they'll keep that basking warmth throughout the day and the night

Ahhh he’s a spoiled baby and always had at least 25° heat overnight, it’s just because my thermostat broke last summer and I didn’t even think of him going no heat at night during winter. Put on the aircon heater last night and he sat at a nice 24.3° so I’ll just be doing that at the moment until I sort something. Thank you heaps for your comment!

 

[dragonlover1]

Ahhh he’s a spoiled baby and always had at least 25° heat overnight, it’s just because my thermostat broke last summer and I didn’t even think of him going no heat at night during winter. Put on the aircon heater last night and he sat at a nice 24.3° so I’ll just be doing that at the moment until I sort something. Thank you heaps for your comment!

25 overnight is way too much, none of our snakes or lizards get night heat (except the frillies in winter) Unless it gets below say 12C INSIDE I wouldn't worry

 

[Sarah Jane]

25 overnight is way too much, none of our snakes or lizards get night heat (except the frillies in winter) Unless it gets below say 12C INSIDE I wouldn't worry

I set my thermostat between 25-23 degrees on the hot spot and his cool temps are lower. He's thrived that way so I don't think it's a problem.