Sneezing?

So this evening I was working on my computer when I heard a sneezing sound.

My first reaction was "bless you." Of course this got a reaction of "who the hell are you talking to?!" from my girlfriend, in the living room, down the hall. So imagine my surprise when I turned around and saw my BP sneeze again. :shock:

Sooo, do I freak out now and take him to the vet? Or is this something more benign. My vet gave him a clean bill of health two months ago, so I'm not too worried yet, but I am concerned.

Temps seem right. His normal behavior is, well, normal. He ate a mouse about five days ago. I've left him alone this week since he looks likes he's going to shed. I have been misting about twice a day this past week in anticipation. I'm making it more humid then normal since he had a patchy shed last time. Any of these factors seem out of the norm?

He's never sneezed before, but I'm not around 24 hours a day to watch him, so it wouldn't surprise me if this is just some wierd quirk. But I wanted to ask your advice if any of you have experienced this before. If this is an indication of a respitory infection, I want to stop it asap. Anyone know if this is normal?

Possibly if it's nose has some "blockage" in it, it may just be breathing hard. Are you sure it sounded like a sneeze?? or was it more of a wheeze??

What are those temps? humidity? Does he spend a lot of time in the cooler side? If so, with the higher humidity and low temp of that side it could be a sign of a RI.

If you can, try to open it's mouth. Does it look like there is anything that looks like "gunk" in it? how about cottage cheese? These could be signs of RI.

If you ever see him gasping for air, or sitting mouth open. Then you should get him to the vet.

Hopes this helps!

Hopefully, just substrate dust or something. What kind of substrate are you using?

Hope he clears up quick.

Hot end 92 degrees, cool end 70 degrees. Humidity is more or less at 60 lately.

He spends most of his time in the middle of the cage. He'll move from one side or another for a few hours though at any given day. He has 2 hides (one on both ends), he rarely uses them though. I've only seen him in there after feeding. In the middle I have some fake plants I use, he likes to hang out under those.

I'm loathe to force open his mouth, but I'll do it if neccesary. Right now theres nothing external that I see out of place. It does look obvious he is about to shed though.

Substrate is all aspen shavings, changed out every few weeks. Water changed out daily.

70 seems a bit cool. Most people keep their cool ends around 80. The hot side sounds good. It sounds like your setup is a nice one.

I've heard other people talk about "sneezes" and haven't ever heard of them turning into anything serious. Of course, that doesn't mean it couldn't. The impending shed makes me think it's benign, though. He's probably got some dried skin in his nostrils. I'd wait for him to shed out and see if it goes away.

Have you tried providing a humid hide on the warm side of the tank? He might like that to help get ready for this shed.

Yea, he is staying in the middle because it may be too hot for him in his warm side hide (cut vent holes) and too cold on his cool side hide. humidity sounds good, hopefully he just got some dust in his nostril or something. Keep an eye on him and if it keeps up take him to the vet.