You know what I hate about life? Its unpredictability. This and the fact that animals can not talk. Animals in human care always have to wait for her humans to realize that something is going wrong. But even if we keep our pet(s) under closest supervision, sometimes a disease just catches us off guard. Animals do not show signs of disease from the very beginning. That makes it impossible to react as fast as we propably could. And sometimes when they show first signs, they can be misunderstood.

In december 2015 I bought my first ball python. He was fit and healthy and I designed a huge enclosure, including several hides, a wetbox, several floors and climbing opportunitys (he really used them!). Temperature and humidity were perfect. Even the change from live food to f/t food worked without any problems. He seemed to be pretty happy, and so was I.

Last week he seemed a little indecisive taking his mouse, so I turned off the lights and left him alone. Some hours later, the mouse was gone and the snake had curled up in his wet box again. Fine! After feeding, he stayed in his wetbox for a few days (normal for him) then changed to his warm hide. Two days ago, in the morning, he was still hiding - but somehow I had a strange feeling of concern, so I took him out. You know that moment, when a situation turns from normal to: “Holy sh*t WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!”

The snakes head was completly swollen. Yet he was not apathic, his tongue was flickering, his body tension was quite normal. No signs of agression, too. Of course I immediatly called the vet. Just 45 Minutes later, he vet checked upon my snake. He found several edemas in his mouth. My snake had to stay in hospital as an emergency, and they had to operate on him. The vet assumed an virus, causing the edemas and the swollen head. I was shocked (and am still).

When I called the vet yesterday, his assistant said the snake has survived the OP, he is awake and fit. They gave him antibiotica. Maybe I can pick him up on monday again. Good news! But I’m still worried. And filled with questions.

What kind of virus? Where did it come from? Is it infectious for other snakes? Will it come back? Do I have to throw away the entire enclosure or can it be desinfected?

Guess I’ll have these questions answered on monday by the vet.