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Accepted Answer
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3/3/2009 12:20:49 PM
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JohnJohn
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Some snakes can make whisteling or wheazy sound when they are breathing, especially when they are out and being active. Some of my carpet pythons make a lot of breathing sounds when they are out. But, you should keep your eyes out for signs of respiratory illness. I would not be overly concerned if the temps and humidity are proper, etc. I WOULD be concerned if there is any kind of discharge, or if he holds his mouth open, or if he sits for long periods of time with his head up or with the upper part of his body propped up against the side of the cage. If he is behaving normally, probably no problem. You're very likely just hearing his breathing.
If you ever suspect any health problems this is always a good place to ask. You will likely be advised to see a vet, but this is always a good place for advice and opinions.
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Member Comment
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3/3/2009 12:22:05 PM
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glendtcocaine
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It sounds like the start to a RI. One way to check is to push gently under his chin and if any bubbles or mucus comes out his nostrils, he needs vet attention. If he only weezes once and a while, I would up his temps a little and continue to monitor him. Try to keep the humidity a little drier. Do you notice he sits with his head more in the air, this is also a sign that he is having trouble to breathe. If you open his mouth and look inside, there should be a little bit of "spit" in his mouth but not a lot. If there is a lot then he should see a vet.
Also, if you have fed him prey that was too big for him, it could irritate his esophagus? Is that how you spell it? And you will get irritation and maybe a little excess mucus inside his mouth and throat, this could cause noise such as a weezing or a click sound. Either way, I would closely monitor him with his temps up. If you dont see any change in a day or two, then I would totally take him to the vet. Good luck with him, hope everything works out fine as I suspect it will!
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Member Comment
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3/3/2009 12:23:33 PM
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JohnJohn
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Since you're new to this, it might be good for you to describe here exactly your snake's set-up, like heat, temps, light, etc. so that everyone can give their two cents about whether his environment sounds good. That is usually the cause of RI problems, being bad environmental conditions. But I think you are probably just hearing his breathing.
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Member Comment
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3/3/2009 12:26:16 PM
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vonnick52
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When I got my first carpet, I FREAKED OUT thinking he was sick. Now, after owning him for awhile and a couple others, I've realized some snakes are just more vocal than others. JohnJohn said it right, double and triple check temps and humidity, if they are good, then just watch him for abnormalities.
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Author Comment
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3/3/2009 1:07:46 PM
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boston
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k hes in a 30 gallon tank, i have a 75 watt light set up on the top of his tank. 2 themometers, 1 humidity gage... the temp in his tank is at 90 F and the humidity level is at 40... i have a folded towel set up on the other half of the tank...and that half the temp is at 80-85 degrees... the light is basicall facing down on the water bowl to create humidity... is all this right????
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Member Comment
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3/3/2009 1:37:09 PM
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vonnick52
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Everything sounds fine to me. I typically put the water bowl at the cool end of the cage and supplement humidity by misting or adding moist spagnum moss to a corner of the cage, but I don't think having the water at the warm end would make him wheeze for any reason.
He doesn't stare up to the top of the cage does he? He hasn't blown any bubbles or had any discharge from the mouth has he?
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Member Comment
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3/3/2009 1:48:27 PM
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Eriathiel
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I know all of my BP's and many friends BP's often make funny breathing sounds a couple of days before they shed. Is he due for a shed or in blue?
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Author Comment
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3/3/2009 2:46:02 PM
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boston
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he does stare up at the top of the cage lately hes been resting his head on the log in his tank
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Author Comment
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3/3/2009 2:47:00 PM
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boston
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i dont know to much about snakes ive only had him for about a week and i dont know how to tell if hes ready for a shed
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Member Comment
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3/3/2009 3:20:12 PM
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Sonja K. Reptiles
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As far as being able to tell if he's in shed or not... his coloration will seem a bit darker and duller, and the eyes start to get fluid beind the eye's scale - eventually, the eyes will appear almost blue or a shade of gray. Since you have had him for such a short amount of time, you're not gonna know by his color... one way I can think of that may help you determine if he's starting his shed cycle, is if you have a digital camera, to try taking a flash pic of his face - look at the eyes in the pic ... do they look cloudy or bluish? If so, he is likely starting the shed cycle. The flash (light) I think will exaggerate the appeance of any fluid that is starting to accumulate under the eye scales.
Resting his head on the log I think is normal - it's different from the staring up at the top of the cage all the time.
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Assisted Answer
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3/3/2009 3:25:02 PM
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JohnJohn
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It may be nothing...or it could be a respiratory infection.
If he is resting his head on the log in his tank, look closely and watch him breath. Try and see if you think he is resting his head in an upward direction in order to aid his breathing. Also, see if he does this often, or is he is just resting on the log because it's a nice warm spot and he likes it there. Snakes spend the majority of their time sitting still. Listen carefully when he is sitting peacefully in his tank. When he's just sitting quietly like that, you should not hear a lot of breathing noises. You probably should only hear those breathing sounds when he is active. If he is always making such sounds, even when he is sitting quietly, I might be concerned. If he is very often sitting with his head rested in a very upright position, looking up, I would be concerned. If you have any doubt, you might want to consider taking him to a vet and asking about respiratory infections. If you do that, try and find a good herp vet. There must be a good one in Boston somewhere.
Respiratory infections need attention pretty soon if you think he may have one. Where did this snake come from? What do you know about his care and his environment before he came to you?
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Member Comment
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3/3/2009 3:47:16 PM
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Lashman
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Well, with all that's been said it could be normal, going through shed or possible R.I. starting.
I have found with ball pythons that low humidity can also cause R.I. I would raise humidity by misting or other means and make sure heat stays ok. I equate this to us getting dry (cotton) mouth when to hot and dry. If it is shedding you will find out humidity by a good clean shed or not. I have found proper humidity gives good sheds and breathing. That being said to much humidity can also be bad.
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Member Comment
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3/3/2009 4:15:02 PM
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JohnJohn
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I agree with all the above. I suspect that you don't have an RI and you just heard a regular snake breath for the first time.
But, also, since Lash mentioned it, I'll second the advice about humidity. Don't be freaked either if his shed is not perfect. I find that my balls don't always shed well in the winter with all the dry air. One in particular has had really terrible sheds this winter. I've had to soak her every time in nice warm water, and I've been misting about once a day.
Don't over-do the misting, but a light misting once a day would probably be good.
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Member Comment
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3/3/2009 4:34:15 PM
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JohnJohn
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Robb, I sent you a message with some picvs of eyes before and after a shed. Just FYI
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Author Comment
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3/3/2009 5:35:53 PM
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boston
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wow you guys are the best... i dont know what i would do without you guys or this site... this is my first time i ever had a snake and i only had him a week so im kinda cluless...thank you very much
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Member Comment
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3/3/2009 8:13:46 PM
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ajard
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I would have to agree witht he responses of a RI. From the weezing it sounds like he has a blockage and resting his head upward it could very well be called stargazing. I hope all goes well. With a vet visit and meds it should clear up.
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Assisted Answer
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3/4/2009 12:01:00 AM
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amarilrose
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Ed (ajard): I am not inclined to think it is that serious.
A lot of the other responses here have throughly described the possibilities. RI's are NOT to be taken lightly of course. Low humidity, which many of us cannot quite correct in the winter can cause several issues; mild dehydration, which usually manifests itself in poor sheds, it can cause RI, but I suspect the humidity would have to consistently be much lower than 40% for that extreme of an impact. Another thing that low humidity can cause though is a "whistle" in a snake's breathing. Think of our own breathing in the winter (this is exactly as my vet related it to me when I freaked out one winter, thinking Sue had an RI); when the boogers in our noses get overly dry, sometimes our noses will whistle when we breathe. It's the same kind of thing. With humidity around 40%, I am inclined to think that this is much more the case than an actual RI -- even more so if the snake is in fact nearing a shed. The best corrective action right now, for the whistle, and for the possible upcoming shed, would be to mist the cage more heavily & try to increase the ambient humidity. Aim for 60% or so... but I say that knowing full well that I can't get humidity that high this time of year. Just try. :)
All that being said, definitely make sure you are up-to-speed on the true symptoms of an RI! I hope Mo (hawaiiansistah) doesn't mind my linking her experience here:
http://www.iherp.com/Answers/ReptileProblem.aspx?Id=3676
http://www.iherp.com/Public/Blog/Detail.aspx?uid=7631
http://www.iherp.com/Public/Blog/Detail.aspx?UID=10201
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Member Comment
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3/4/2009 12:34:35 AM
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ajard
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I should change my answer to IF it is a RI there are treatments for it. And I will admit there are many oher things that could cause these issues with the little guy.
Amarilrose - you make a good point :) but I really hate RI's lol
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Member Comment
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3/4/2009 8:31:35 AM
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JohnJohn
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I agree with Rebecca. Probably not an RI. But good job Rob for being observant and diligent.
and Rebecca....did you really just say "boogers". hahaha....she said boogers.
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Author Comment
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3/4/2009 12:21:16 PM
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boston
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hey everyone... i took him out of his tank last night and i think that the sqeaky sound is just him breathing....thanks everyone for your help
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Member Comment
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3/4/2009 3:06:01 PM
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Sparkle
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Hehe, my CP does the same thing. He 'whistles' when he sniffs. I think one rule of thumb is, does he make the sound ALL the time or just once in a while when he's sniffing something? Mine does not make sounds just napping, but when he's out and about and investigating, he "hisses" when he sniffs.
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Member Comment
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3/4/2009 3:12:32 PM
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amarilrose
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JohnJohn: I was honestly wondering how long it would take anyone to catch that when I was writing it! Boogers are real anyway, it's not like I'm talking about "cooties!" ;)
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Author Comment
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3/4/2009 3:44:46 PM
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boston
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he only does it when hes out of his cage being nosy... so ya i just didnt know this is my first snake and def more to come
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Member Comment
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5/19/2009 7:44:51 AM
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Sparkle
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Boston, is this question answered? You should award someone those points... :)
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Member Comment
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1/17/2011 1:22:48 AM
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abi21491
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This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action.
Recommended Action: Points awarded
An administrator will select responses and assign points at their discretion.
Original poster, please close this question out and assign points. If you have any further information in the resolution of your problem, please post it here so that others may learn from it.
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