Respitory Infection?

[Bucko]

Today while watching my snake roam around its cage i noticed that is seemed to open its mouth a few time in a rather short perior of time (15 minutes). Is this a normal behavior or as the title says is it a respitory infection?

[jglass38]

Do you hear any wheezing or clicking in his breathing? There is a difference between open mouth breathing associated with an advanced RI and the snake just realigning its jaws or even yawning. If you are at all concered though, a vet visit might be in order. RIs can kill if left untreated. Hope this helps!

Jamie

[Bucko]

No i have not yet hears her wheeze. So it just could be yawning. It just concerned me because it was like 3 or 4 time in 10-15 minutes.

[JLC]

No i have not yet hears her wheeze. So it just could be yawning. It just concerned me because it was like 3 or 4 time in 10-15 minutes.

I am just speculating, but I find myself wondering if maybe they "yawn" when they are feeling a bit nervous or stressed? I saw Kisasa yawn several times in a short period of time right after I got her and set her up in her new home. Since then, I've only seen her realign her jaws after eating and that's it.

[Bucko]

Thanks a lot JLC

[Pythons Rock]

I just went through an RI infection with my adult male rescue, he was whistling when he breathed, at first I thought it was shed stuck in his nose and I did remove a large piece from his nose and the whistling stopped and returned the next day so off to the vet he went, I caught it on the onset so it wasn't advanced by any means and only required 4 injections to clear, this does not sound like an RI to me but a vet visit may give you peace of mind.

[Bucko]

Ok so while holding my ball python, I put her up to my ear because i though I was hearing a noise come from her. When she was by my ear i heard a feint whistling noise. The person who posted the message before me said they heard whistiling and it was a RI. So if i hear whistling i should assume a RI?

[jglass38]

Better safe than sorry. I would take her to a vet for a check up and treatment if necessary. Watch those temps also...Keep them up where they need to be..

Good luck!

[Bucko]

The temps are fine in my tank. The good thing though is the petstore i bought her from is probably going to have to pay for this vet visit. I get a 15 day health guarentee. Since i have only had her for about 1 week now i am within my guaretee.

[Bucko]

Well Petco agreed to paying for the Vet bill, but they have to take it to their vet. I find this a little wierd when I am completly capable of taking him there. I kept asking if i could take it to their vet to save them time, but they were set on not letting me take him. Also i will finally figure out what sex my little ball python is.