Bubbles?

Before I make a mountain out of a mole hill and run off to the vet I want to make sure this is an actual problem.

My enchi isn't the friendliest snake in the world and just loves to hiss at me. Well 3 times within the past week I've seen bubbles coming out his mouth after he starts working him self up hissing at me. The first time I wasn't sure what I was seeing and they were gone before I could get a good look at them. The second time they came out with his tong and today he had a nice big bubble on the side of his mouth.

I've checked his mouth several times and I have noticed anything other than a little saliva. Against my better judgement I've even put him near my ear to listen for any popping sounds and I haven't heard any. He's been eating fine and just had a perfect shed on the 10th. He looks and acts normal.

Are the bubbles just from him hissing so much or is there something potentially serious going on here?

Other relavent commonly asked for info:
He's in a 41qt rubbermaid tub in a rack
paper towels for substrate
two hides which he uses
eats once a week
temps are 90-91 on the warmside and 78-80 on the cool side
I don't have a humidity reading, I'm currently working on that, I'm guessing it's around 40-50% there is no condensation on the tub and his water dish is on the cool side

Anyone? I could really use some advice on this. My vet costs an arm and a leg to visit so I'd like to avoid that if possible.

Give it a couple hours, and people will be online to respond.

I would say and RI, clicking noises and mucus are not the only symptoms. I would get him to a vet to be sure. Maybe stuck shed in the nostrils,but then i think you would be hearing a wheezing sound?

I have never seen any of my guys blow bubbles, but none of them are hissers so it is kind of hard to voice an opinion. I'd probably separate him and nebulize with F10 for a week or so just to be safe. It won't hurt him, and you just might be halting an RI.

RI most likely. Usually by the time there are bubbles it is quite far along My advise is it is time for the vet you will need drugs to treat it with. Also check your husbandry very carefully it is often caused by something. I use 80 cool end 90 hot end 80-85 ambient air temps and 60% humidity with a fair bit of ventilation.

How much air holes do you have and what is the air temps not just the surface temps or are you taking local air temps and no surface temps?

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

RI most likely. Usually by the time there are bubbles it is quite far along My advise is it is time for the vet you will need drugs to treat it with. Also check your husbandry very carefully it is often caused by something. I use 80 cool end 90 hot end 80-85 ambient air temps and 60% humidity with a fair bit of ventilation.

How much air holes do you have and what is the air temps not just the surface temps or are you taking local air temps and no surface temps?

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The temps listed are surface temps. I'm at work so I can't get the air temp right now. There are no holes in the bin because there is an 1/8 in gap between the bin and the top of the rack.

I will make a vet appointment. :(

Edit: if it is an advanced RI then he was really good at hiding all the symptoms. When he finally relaxes there are no bubbles, there hasn't been any mucus and his breathing is fine. Checking his mouth usually upsets him again, but there are no bubbles present there either. He also hasn't refused food at any point.

I guess it could be a weird behavioral thing but bubbles are not a good sign. Personally I'd rather be safe than sorry and take him to the vet.

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Originally Posted by babyknees

I guess it could be a weird behavioral thing but bubbles are not a good sign. Personally I'd rather be safe than sorry and take him to the vet.

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I wasn't trying to say it was a good sign. I do have a vet appointment scheduled so we will find out for sure soon. I what I was trying to say was that there have been no other signs of RI, so I don't think it's an advanced RI. The bubbles don't happen every time he hisses either. I've been checking on him daily and I've only seen bubbles 3 times after he worked himself up a lot. I honestly think it's just his saliva, but I have considered that it could be a RI which is why I wanted other opinions first before rushing to the vet.

I have a neurotic Cinnamon that hisses and strikes all the time. Never seen a bubble from her. My guess would be the snake is sick. How sick, would be very hard to tell. Higher temps and moving the water bowl over the heat source will help in the mean time.

Regards,

B