Is this a RI?

For the past few months my ball python has had on and off wheezing. For a few weeks I just put the temperatures higher than usual, and the wheezing did go away for a while. But now every now and then I hear it again. It often sounds like he is blowing out a puff of air. It's a slight wheeze, nothing too loud, and I'm certain that the sound if coming from the nostrils, not the lungs. It doesn't happen all the time, and mainly only happens while handling him.
The thing is, he has no mucus, no discharge of any kind, no bubbles, he's been gaining weight lately, he eats great, very alert, healthy tongue flicking, clear eyes and mouth, no mouth opening, he's very active when I let him out, and he just seems very normal and healthy.
But then what's with the occasional wheezing or puffing air out of his nose??
I figured that if it was an infection, it would have progressed by now, since it's been quite a while since I first noticed it. But he hasn't gotten any worse and doesn't show any other outward signs of an infection.
Could occasional wheezing ever be just a normal thing?
Lastly, he does have a stuck scale in one nostril and occasionally it sounds like he's trying to blow it out, but the wheezing started before the scale was stuck.
Anyone have any inputs on this?

My beep is exhibiting extremely similar symptoms!! Check out my thread, there was some good info shared - I'm just keeping an eye out now personally since he has no other symptoms other than the wheezing, just like you said.

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Originally Posted by Hannahrenee

For the past few months my ball python has had on and off wheezing. For a few weeks I just put the temperatures higher than usual, and the wheezing did go away for a while. But now every now and then I hear it again. It often sounds like he is blowing out a puff of air. It's a slight wheeze, nothing too loud, and I'm certain that the sound if coming from the nostrils, not the lungs. It doesn't happen all the time, and mainly only happens while handling him.
The thing is, he has no mucus, no discharge of any kind, no bubbles, he's been gaining weight lately, he eats great, very alert, healthy tongue flicking, clear eyes and mouth, no mouth opening, he's very active when I let him out, and he just seems very normal and healthy.
But then what's with the occasional wheezing or puffing air out of his nose??
I figured that if it was an infection, it would have progressed by now, since it's been quite a while since I first noticed it. But he hasn't gotten any worse and doesn't show any other outward signs of an infection.
Could occasional wheezing ever be just a normal thing?
Lastly, he does have a stuck scale in one nostril and occasionally it sounds like he's trying to blow it out, but the wheezing started before the scale was stuck.
Anyone have any inputs on this?

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What your explaining sounds like Hissing to me. Have you ever been around a Burm? As hatchlings its a cute release of air..when a Burm is grown its like you blew a Tire. My Male Ball did this too. He was a grumpy, nervous little one and did it when I took him out.


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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

What your explaining sounds like Hissing to me. Have you ever been around a Burm? As hatchlings its a cute release of air..when a Burm is grown its like you blew a Tire. My Male Ball did this too. He was a grumpy, nervous little one and did it when I took him out.


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I didn't consider that it could be hissing, since he is always very calm and has never had any problems with being handled. I didn't take him for the grumpy type. But I will look for videos and see if it's a similar sound.
Although he mainly does it while he's out roaming around, I have heard him do it occasionally while in his tank. Would a snake randomly hiss while not being bothered?

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Originally Posted by Hannahrenee

I didn't consider that it could be hissing, since he is always very calm and has never had any problems with being handled. I didn't take him for the grumpy type. But I will look for videos and see if it's a similar sound.
Although he mainly does it while he's out roaming around, I have heard him do it occasionally while in his tank. Would a snake randomly hiss while not being bothered?

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Yes they can his when out and about. It doesn't necessarily mean they're grumpy, some snakes just Hiss :)
https://youtu.be/Kp30KMCQwck


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I've always considered it to be more of a sigh than a hiss when not grumpy or provoked. My boa does it every once in a while and I figure it means "I'm bored, play with me"

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Originally Posted by c0r3yr0s3

I've always considered it to be more of a sigh than a hiss when not grumpy or provoked. My boa does it every once in a while and I figure it means "I'm bored, play with me"

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Well mine dont want to play but i dont know your snake so you never know [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

Well mine dont want to play but i dont know your snake so you never know [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


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If I'm wrong, I'll get to be a member of an awesome club [emoji41]