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Breathing Problems

Posted By:

Berserker

In Relation To:

Dixie

I notice that both my male and female boa breathe and hiss loudly, ocassionally opening their mouths. I do not think it is an RI issue because their is no bubbling or discharge. I check thir nasal passages for shed scales but they are normally clear. The conditions are spot on temperature wise and all cages are clean and set up properly, is their something i might be missing or maybe due to their size? Both snakes are in good health and eat regularly with no issues. Should i be concerned?

Attached Photos:


Points:	100
Topics:	General Health , Respiratory
Tags:	Respiratory
Species:	Boas > Large Boas > Boa constrictor constrictor
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

3/6/2009 2:40:44 AM

Jono

to me that sounds like an RI, how long has it been going on for.
your best bet is to take them to the vet to make sure nothings wrong.

Member Comment

3/6/2009 2:46:11 AM

gfx

Sounds like they're telling you off.

Author Comment

3/6/2009 3:19:06 AM

Berserker

I just dont know how it CAN be ri if all of my conditions are straight and the other snakes in the room are fine and they are all kept at ideal temp humidity and cleanliness. its been on and off for a couple months but like i said no bubbles or discharge or any other health problems, just loud breathing.

Member Comment

3/6/2009 7:50:12 AM

FyreFocks

If you dont think its an RI, but you arent sure what it is, maybe a vet trip is in order?

Accepted Answer

3/6/2009 7:52:18 AM

Sparkle

One important factor is "do they do it all the time, or just once in a while?" There have been several Q&A threads about snakes "breathing loudly" or whistling when they are out of their tanks and exploring. This is normal with some snakes, you just have to know your animals and their little quirks. But if they have heavy/loud breathing ALL the time, then with or without discharge they may be sick. Think of the last time you got a cold - your nose didn't necessarily run right away, maybe you got a sore throat first. If you have a good herp vet in the area, it certainly can't hurt to take them in and get them checked out. It could be the very beginning of a RI, and wouldn't you rather catch it early rather than waiting until it's really bad and you see bubbles and they are struggling to breathe?

Are they doing anything else out of the ordinary? Are they lethargic or do they hang out in one spot or never leave the warm side of their enclosure? Do they tilt their heads up, or rest with their head resting on something? (Can be an indicator, the mucus drains down - similar to you sleeping propped up in bed or in a chair when you have a cold) Just because the rest of your snakes haven't gotten it, doesn't mean much (kinda like living in a house full of people, and some get a cold while others do not). Please keep us posted!

Member Comment

3/6/2009 8:21:44 AM

JohnJohn

Go look back to the Q/As just a few days ago. There was one posted by Boston (Rob) about breathing entitled "is it a breathing problem???" That was a good thread with some discussion.

I'm not experienced with Boas, but I do believe they need humidity. Dry conditions, but good clean humid air as they would find in their natural habitat. I imagine Kai would definitely be the man to ask for Boa issues.

Member Comment

3/6/2009 10:23:35 AM

Jono

yeah some snakes just breath loud, if thats the case that you have proper conditions and everythings golden then you got nothing to worry about, alot of times the ones that ifind in my collection that breath loud are the bigger bodied ones, like my burm she breaths loud

Member Comment

3/6/2009 1:16:47 PM

vonnick52

Have you had some cold nights recently? My roommates large redtail female got a mild R.I. when it dropped down in the high 30's a couple nights. We don't run heat or anything, and his cage isn't insulated at all (it's a large aquarium).

I know, I know....I've tried over and over again to talk him into putting her in something else.

Author Comment

3/6/2009 1:57:14 PM

Berserker

no my the temperature hasnt dropped in my area lately, in fact its been really hot. and ass for the question of frequency, its EVERY time i take the female out i hear it. shes kept in a large vision cage and spends most of her time active, i have never noticed her being lathargic or staying in one spot for long periods of time. The ONLY reason i havent taken her to the vet is the fact that shes completely healthy in every other way ( complete sheds, eating properly, active, digesting corectly)

Member Comment

3/6/2009 2:00:37 PM

vonnick52

Perhaps she's just making some noise because she's stressed when you handle her? She doesn't do it when she's just sitting in her cage? Try listening to her breathing for a few minutes without harassing her at all. Or, take her to the vet and see what they say...perhaps they can run a couple tests to confirm whether or not she's sick.

Member Comment

3/6/2009 2:19:26 PM

JohnJohn

I think you are just hearing her/him breath.

Member Comment

3/6/2009 9:07:17 PM

Kim Heller

Can you take them out and let them slide through your hands? If so, can you feel a rattle in the lungs?

Assisted Answer

3/7/2009 6:22:08 PM

magsj387

To chime in here with my experiance, I had the same issue come up a few months ago...all my snakes are in the same room, in ideal conditions,ect. and one of my boas just started to exhibit signs just like you were describing....so I convinced myself the same way you did, and wound up letting things go and monitored her, with help and suggestions from everyone here and I wound up making an appointment just to be safe....well she started bubbling that day, so I was glad I went. I'd just like to point out that they don't always come when you'd expect it, even when conditions are ideal....better safe than sorry!

Member Comment

3/7/2009 6:25:41 PM

magsj387

http://www.iherp.com/Answers/ReptileProblem.aspx?Id=2958
Thats my thread....

Assisted Answer

3/9/2009 10:46:59 AM

mojosreptiles

i say take 'em to the vet just to make sure .... i lost a snake to an RI a little over a week ago, and that wasnt fun. i took him to the vet and everything, i guess he was just too weak to pull through. and yes, he was eating too. but like Kim said - do you hear weird rattling/crackling type noises when you pull them out? if so, you definitely wanna get em to the vet. mine was doing that when he was sick :( good luck either way! i just like to live by the motto - better safe than sorry!

Member Comment

1/17/2011 12:33:22 AM

abi21491

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