Is my pythons breathing normal?

[dapa]

When I am holding my python I noticed it is making a slight whistling sound.I am a new owner,and the snake is just a baby.I am not sure if this is normal,or if my snake has a problem?Any info.I can get is greatly appreciated!

[daniel1983]

Since you are a new owner, I would schedule a vet appointment for an initial checkup. A whistling sound can be made by either a piece of stuck shed or a Respiratory infection but since you don't have experience with either I would suggest a vet appointment ASAP. Respiratory infections are caused by keeping ball pythons at improper temperatures, drafts, stress, etc... and can result in death if left untreated by a professional. What temperatures are you keeping your ball python at? Do you see any bubbles or liquid coming from the nostrils or mouth?

[dapa]

There are no visible bubble,The average temperature the snake is kept in is 84 degrees.The snake has just shed,but not in one piece.Could this be the problem?

[cassandra]

Sometimes bits of shed can get stuck just inside the nose and cause the whistling sound...but the safest will be to get the snake to a vet to make sure. RI is not something to mess with. =P

[jglass38]

Sounds like you have a combination of low temps and low humidity. Work on correcting that and schedule a vet appt immediately just to be sure. 82-84 degrees on the cooler side, 92-94 on the hot side. Get that humidity up over 50% and raise it during a shed by creating a humid hide, misting a couple times daily or putting the water bowl over the hot spot. Hope this helps!

Jamie

[Pythons Rock]

I just went through this same thing with a new rescue I have, he had been kept in poor conditions before I got him, he had an extrmemly rough shed that I had to help him through, he was whistling when we got him which I thought was a piece of shed, after he shed I got a piece of shed (1/4 in long) out of his nose and the whistling stopped. Being that he was a new rescue to me I took him to the vet anyway. The vet said he had the beginning stages of an RI infection, he goes in for his last injection in a series of four tomorrow, after the first injection he noticeably felt better (more active), now her is super snake, seems to like being handled, very active, hasn't eaten yet but that will come in time, vet says his lungs sound great.