I Need Respiratory Help ASAP

[LeviBP]

I recently purchased two adult BP's, a 2,100g female and a 1,100g male. The man I bought them from kept them in an ambient temperature controlled room at 80F, I'm guessing with inadequate humidity. When I purchased them they had just went through a bad shed, one of the poorest I have seen. When I brought them home, they were breathing a little heavy; this was not caused by the substrate as this has been newsprint. So, I checked them for an RI, thoroughly inspecting their entire mouths - using the Q-Tip "roll" method. I saw no bubbles; discoloration or etc.

This didn't make sense to me, I knew SOMETHING had to be making them breathe with this level of difficulty; and then I checked the nostrils - HORRID. I would estimate that they are around 75% clogged with what appears to be dead skin. I first thought this was some sort of snot, but after closer examination I noticed it looked much more like shed. My male's nostrils seem to be clearer than the female's. I have become increasingly concerned; because the female's breathing sometimes now sounds "bubbly" or "crackly" like someone with a stuffy nose. This is why I checked for an RI a second time - still no bubbles, both have very clean mouths.

The dead skin is not on the surface but in a bundled manner inside the nostrils.

How do I get rid of this? Could this be some type of "snot"? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

[JLC]

Based on your description, it SOUNDS like just too much build up of old sheds in the nostrils, although I have to say this is the first time I've heard of something like that. It sounds feasible, though.

The only thing I can think to suggest is a good long soak, each in their own wet pillowcase.

• Turn a pillowcase inside out and check the seams carefully for any looseness or tears.
• When you're sure it's secure, wet it thoroughly with warm water and wring out.
• Soak a hand towel (one with lots of good terri cloth texture) in warm water, wring out and place inside the pillow case.
• Place the snake in the case and tie it securely at the top.
• Put in the enclosure on the warm side and leave it for an hour or so.

Hopefully the snakes will do enough rubbing on either the pillow case or the towel inside it to loosen up and rub out the old sheds in their poor little noses!

[LeviBP]

I will try that, thanks for the suggestion. Is there anything else it could be besides skin?

[JLC]

I will try that, thanks for the suggestion. Is there anything else it could be besides skin?

I don't know. If they were kept entirely on paper, then it's unlikely that it's any sort of bedding stuck up in there. Dried mucous, maybe, as you've already considered...which should be helped by the soak in the same way stuck shed would be. I don't think I'd be TOO concerned at this point if it IS old mucous, so long as their mouths are clear and clean and they show no other signs of illness.

Since it's both snakes...it's unlikely that it is anything really exotic or weird. If they already show signs of stuck shed and a poor shedding history, then that seems to make the most sense to me at this point.

[LeviBP]

Hey, just wanted to give you a follow up.

I tried the pillow-case method this morning and it worked like a charm. My female got her nostrils all cleaned out and all of the old shed off, my male got most of the skin; but not all of the skin in his nose, so he still breathes a little heavy, but much better!

Thanks!

[JLC]

So glad I could help. I won't hurt to give the male another soak, but it can probably wait until he's settled in and had a meal.