Audible breathing?

We have a 9 month old ball python in quarantine at the moment. Whenever we feed her, her breathing is audible. More of hissing/heavy breathing instead of wheezing, but I'm not entirely sure. She only ever makes this noise while eating/constricting and right beforehand. Outside of these times there is no audible breathing or signs of respiratory infection. Should I be concerned?

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Originally Posted by 55fingers

We have a 9 month old ball python in quarantine at the moment. Whenever we feed her, her breathing is audible. More of hissing/heavy breathing instead of wheezing, but I'm not entirely sure. She only ever makes this noise while eating/constricting and right beforehand. Outside of these times there is no audible breathing or signs of respiratory infection. Should I be concerned?

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The only time I heard my BP breathing was when he had a respiratory infection. Since you only hear it when she eats, it sounds like her glottis could be partially blocked. I'd take her to the vet. Treatment is much easier and more effective if you catch it early. I took my BP at the first sign and all I had to do was replace his heat mat with a larger one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 55fingers

We have a 9 month old ball python in quarantine at the moment. Whenever we feed her, her breathing is audible. More of hissing/heavy breathing instead of wheezing, but I'm not entirely sure. She only ever makes this noise while eating/constricting and right beforehand. Outside of these times there is no audible breathing or signs of respiratory infection. Should I be concerned?

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I agree that you should take her to the vet as ball pythons still benefit from yearly wellness visits, but there is still a possibility that she is trying to be defensive. My snake breathes audibly when I handle him as opposed to me just interrupting his exploring time at night.

Has this snake been kept with adequate humidity? When snakes shed, sometimes a tiny bit of their outer nostril lining doesn't come off with the shed, & when that remains, it can impact the sound of their breathing- especially when they're constricting something (because they're breathing heavier). Higher humidity is what I'd try, & also a very close-up inspection of his nostrils, because it can be hard to see.

If you can manage to have a steady hand using tiny-tipped tweezers that enable you to grab the little bit of dead skin that's been left behind, it should remove easily, but if you pull it when it's too dry (inadequate humidity) it will just break off & remain. (Been there, done this- got it out successfully.) Goes without saying that it helps if your snake is calm & trusting also. ;)