My ball is making a strange growling sound???

[lpk1683]

I was just wondering if anyone might know the answer to this. My ball python is 6 yrs old and just a few minutes ago I heard this really loud growling/gurgling sound. I jumped up thinking it was one of my dogs in my kids room growling at something, then noticed it was him. I went in an saw him standing straight up with his mouth open and making this horrible gurgling noise. I have no idea what is going on. We haven't done anything different and he just ate 4 days ago. Should I be worried?

[Ransack]

It sounds like a severe respiratory infection, it's weird that he ate, huh. Vet care will be needed at least an office visit, because it really will not go away on its own.

[Sauzo]

I second that it sounds like a severe case of RI. It's vet time asap.

[ballpythonluvr]

I was just wondering if anyone might know the answer to this. My ball python is 6 yrs old and just a few minutes ago I heard this really loud growling/gurgling sound. I jumped up thinking it was one of my dogs in my kids room growling at something, then noticed it was him. I went in an saw him standing straight up with his mouth open and making this horrible gurgling noise. I have no idea what is going on. We haven't done anything different and he just ate 4 days ago. Should I be worried?

I know this sounds weird but did you check the snake's enclosure for poop after he made the gurgling sound? Sometimes right before they tear loose with a huge poop they will make the most awful sound you have ever heard. If there is no poop, then yes, it is time to worry.

[Sauzo]

I went in an saw him standing straight up with his mouth open and making this horrible gurgling noise.

That part right there would be the telltale sign you got a problem, an RI problem.

[lpk1683]

Thanks guys. He has only done it once ever and he hasn't done anything at all today. I checked in his tank this morning and he did in fact have quite the large bm in his hideaway. Lol I believe this is what I heard since there is no discharge coming from him mouth or nose and he seems to be fine. If this happens again soon, I will definitely take him in to be checked out. Thanks again.

[SRMD]

Thanks guys. He has only done it once ever and he hasn't done anything at all today. I checked in his tank this morning and he did in fact have quite the large bm in his hideaway. Lol I believe this is what I heard since there is no discharge coming from him mouth or nose and he seems to be fine. If this happens again soon, I will definitely take him in to be checked out. Thanks again.

Looks like ballpythonluvr was right!


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[TheSnakeEye]

Sometimes I will GENTLY push from the throat up to the mouth to see if excess saliva spews out. A snake without an RI should not typically be spitting out saliva.

[Vypyrz]

I know this sounds weird but did you check the snake's enclosure for poop after he made the gurgling sound? Sometimes right before they tear loose with a huge poop they will make the most awful sound you have ever heard. If there is no poop, then yes, it is time to worry.

As soon as I saw the OP's post, this was my first thought, as I have seen mine doing this when they defecate, that gurgling sound wasn't coming from his mouth...

[michaelt]

lol just wait till u hear that noise when ur snake is sitting around ur neck or on ur shoulders... Gotta be one of the most nasty things ever..