Ok, now I'm kind of worried...

Well I posted a thread on here a little bit earlier asking if I should feed my snake thats in shed... I tried, and heard a weird "squeek" noise, as if a mouse was being constricted. Well I know when I feed my cinny live, the mouse squeeks before and during the constriction, but since my pastel eats f/t I know this shouldnt happen. I picked him up slowly and carefully, and listened closely, and sure enough it was comming from him. There is no mucus or anything near his mouth or nostrils, so I'm not thinking its an RI. As for husbandry and everything, I have heat lamps (I know I know, they suck, all I need now is the UTH's for the rest of the set up) that keep the hot spot around 89, as I havent seen it below 88, and the cool side 83-84, and I keep my best to keep the humidity up with humidifiers that keep it at around 45-50%. I'm using an Acurite for measuring everything. So should I make an appointment with the vet, or should I wait till he is done shedding or see more signs of sickness?

Just to be safe take him to the vet asap, rather be safe than sorry :gj:

Hi,

Actually the shedding process can cause them to make noises when breathing - the fluid between the layers and overall increase in skin thickness can make it easier for their nostrils to get partially blocked. When breathing forces air through the constriction it can squeak. :)

I would definately wait until after the shed to see if it continues to be a problem - unless he is also showing other symptoms of course. :gj:


dr del

My black pastel breeder girl is doing this too.
She's just starting the shed process and has a nice little whistling going on when she breathes.

Thanks for your replies, and thanks to you dr del alot, I didn't know that!
Like I said, there was no other signs, he is acting like any other healthy snake, hes just in shed :P I will definately get him to the vet if this continues after he sheds.

Had this happen with one of mine not long ago. I was very worried because she was a beat up old girl I rescued from some very irresponsible owners... Thankfully she shed probably a week after I noticed the whistle and it was gone! I'm sure the same will happen for you :)