Made a vet appointment - clicking sound : (

I handled my new baby today after giving her a week to get settled in. Right away I heard the clicking sound. I got her on Christmas Eve, a present from my son.

I know this can mean the start of an RI, and I'm fortunate to have a reptile vet nearby who can see her tomorrow morning. In the meantime I cleaned her enclosure and everything inside with F10, and she was already quarantined from my other snakes. I've upped her hot side to 91 from 90.

I've read here that injections and not oral meds are the way to go, and some have recommended a culture to ensure using the right antibiotic from the start Other than what I've listed, is there anything else I should do or know before I can get to the vet tomorrow?


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Personally I think a vet appointment may be a tad premature at this point. A clicking sound is never what I actually look for in case of RI, not that I don't commend you for the quick action, I just think it's premature. Usually with an RI you will hear gurgling sounds and it will sound like they are coughing, clicking in my experience is more to do with something caught in the nasal cavity, or something that can happen pre shed, just a piece of loose skin. I am sure everything will be fine, and I actually run my hot spots a few degrees higher than that, but that's just my set up

Is it going in to shed? Many or my snakes click when the process starts.

Other signs of RI is stringy mucus in their mouth, usually seen because the snake will be yawning more often. Laying with its head pointed up, this allows them to breath easier with the mucus building. Any of this going on?

Bump up the hot spot to 95.
Can you check their mouth for mucous?

If there is mucous, its definitely RI and not just loose shed.

Also, a culture is the only way to go when going to the vets. So a culture and injectable antibiotic. Oral antibiotics may not metabolize and are often ineffective.

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You guys are awesome. I've seen no indication of a shed coming on, but I only got her last Tuesday, so I may have missed some of the indicators. There is no mucous that I can see (THAT was a new adventure, and I now know that she is super-duper easy going). She had been sitting with her head raised for a couple days, which I noticed because I thought it looked uncomfortable.

Right now she is in her hide for the first time, all curled up, which makes me happy. I am bumping the hot side up to 95. Now I'm not sure what to do about the vet, but I at least don't feel as rattled as I did when I first heard the sound. I'd rather be reading that I jumped at a vet appointment prematurely than that I was too late.

I so appreciate your responses. I'll keep you updated. Thanks again!


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The vet does not think the clicking is a respiratory infection, which is a relief. She does have some evidence of a parasite, and he will have Flagyl in on Thursday to treat her.

It was great to make a vet connection before an emergency, so I'm glad we went in, even if I did overreact. I'm glad the parasites won't have a chance to take hold. The visit was very reasonable, at least compared to what I was expecting, especially on New Years Eve.

Thanks again for your comments and advice!


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This analogy maybe a little extreme but like taking your children to the doctor, if you have a concern just do it, always better to be on the safe side.... You did the right thing! :)