Helenthereef

I'm in Fiji (the south pacific country) without specialist reptile vet support, and I've got something going on I've never seen before. ANY opinions, experiences or suggestions would be very welcome.

I have an adult male wild caught endemic Fiji Boa (Candoia bibroni bibroni) who I've had in the same conditions (natural temperature, humidity and light) for more than 8 years without any problems. He's just (along with my other 4 snakes, all in good health) coming out of his winter brumation fast, but hasn't started to eat yet (the others ate 3 days ago).

He seems to have a blockage of his glottis (breathing tube). He's breathing though his nares (nose) OK, but every now and again he goes though quite a violent "fit " of gaping, hissing (very loudly), and rubbing his head upside down. I actually thought he was convulsing the first time. He's not bubbling or clicking, but when I managed to get a good look inside his mouth , his glottis seemed to be blocked, and there was a long strand of white mucous-like material between his glottis and his throat. (see photo)

I managed to clear this out with the aid of a soft chopstick and a baby toothbrush (and a struggle....), and he is resting better today, but his glottis still doesn't seem to be open.

I've never had a previous problem with respiratory infections, and the other snakes seem fine. I don't give them artificial heat, but the weather is warming naturally (right now about 32oC / 85oF ish daytime) and very humid.

Also, probably not relevant, but who knows, when I took him out of the tank he was just beginning to shed (and actually did so as I was handling him). the skin came off fine, including his face, eye-caps and throat, but his eyes are still a bit cloudy and his head a bit pale, so I'm wondering if there's another layer to come (he normally sheds very completely and without problem).

I'm afraid to feed him in case there is still a blockage. What are your opinions of fogging or steaming him? On-line I see people have tried fogging with Veterinary Disinfectant (I don't have a fogger, and not yet sure whether the mammal vets here have appropriate disinfectant), and also steaming with Vicks Vapour rub and Eucalyptus oil in hot water (I do have access to these).

I can also get Baytril but only oral, not injectable, and I'm not happy about sticking a pipette down his throat right now.

Or maybe it's not an infection and there's something else that might cause this which I don't know about?

Any advice would be MUCH appreciated. I'm posting this on 13 Nov 2017, and it feels pretty urgent to me....

Slightly nasty open mouth photo coming up....

Attached Images