Wheezing

I know her whistle is normal because I trust the breeder who produced her implicitly, and she said the girl has made that sound since she was a hatchling. I have also had her for quite a few months now with no change/increase in the sound.

A culture swab isn't taken of the whole mouth. The cotton swab is rubbed directly on the glottis, preferably when the snake takes a breath. Yes, it is possible to get some mouth flora in there, but it is more focused than just swabbing the mouth.

Yes, that's how wheezing sounds in people. I'm a nursing student and its pretty distinct when you hear it.

I have a pewter male that has a slight whistle when he breathes. Hes been doing this since I got him over 9 months ago.

I think some snakes just make a small noise when they breathe. It might develop over time, and it might go away eventually. If your snake is displaying no symptoms and has cleared a vet check, I think it is pretty safe to say that the snake doesn't have an RI.

Obviously, check on the snake regularly in case any other symptoms develop.



Edit: You know, I think it may have something to do with the cinny and black pastel gene now that we are all talking about it. We know that super cinnies have some duckbilling and head deformities, maybe in regular cinnamons it creates a slight whistle or wheeze?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BHReptiles

Yes, that's how wheezing sounds in people. I'm a nursing student and its pretty distinct when you hear it.

---

What about snakes? What should it sound like to be concerned vs. just normal breathing sound? I can't imagine a snake sound like that in the sound file?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

I have a pewter male that has a slight whistle when he breathes. Hes been doing this since I got him over 9 months ago.

Edit: You know, I think it may have something to do with the cinny and black pastel gene now that we are all talking about it. We know that super cinnies have some duckbilling and head deformities, maybe in regular cinnamons it creates a slight whistle or wheeze?

---

ANOTHER cinny/black pastel with this? I think we really may be on to something here. I am surprised nobody noticed this before? I am guessing the duckbilled ones would whistle even more? I never heard anyone say that though. INTERESTING. It can't be coincidence that everyone on this thread who says they have one with a chronic whistle either has black pastel or cinny.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Annarose15

I know her whistle is normal because I trust the breeder who produced her implicitly, and she said the girl has made that sound since she was a hatchling. I have also had her for quite a few months now with no change/increase in the sound.

A culture swab isn't taken of the whole mouth. The cotton swab is rubbed directly on the glottis, preferably when the snake takes a breath. Yes, it is possible to get some mouth flora in there, but it is more focused than just swabbing the mouth.

---

Thanks. I am not doubting you. If I were to be able to do a swab like that it would be with another vet as this one is adamant that the next thing if I decide to do it is a lung wash. Seems too drastic for me for what may be either nothing or a very mild case of RI. Even the vet himself said so because he is pretty sure the snake is fine. We'll see.

But I always had the contention that if there is sound there is an RI. So some snakes just do whistle while healthy then, eh?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hungba

Thanks. I am not doubting you. If I were to be able to do a swab like that it would be with another vet as this one is adamant that the next thing if I decide to do it is a lung wash. Seems too drastic for me for what may be either nothing or a very mild case of RI. We'll see.

---

I agree with you, and know you were just asking. :) Good luck!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by QTEpythons

I think mine might have a slight deformity like a human having a deformed nasal septum. Causing a wheeze. I

---

This is interesting. While listening for the wheeze, which is faint, I often have to hold my breath, because I myself have a slight wheeze when I breath. Yes, I have a slightly deviated septum. Could be something like that with him too. Just not sure why I never heard it from him before then. Could of course be that I didn't listen as much as I do now. Or could be that whatever structure is in the nose didn't develop to this extent yet while it was still a baby growing.

My boss has a whistly nose. I know because if I don't bring headphones it drives me crazy!!

So I guess it is safe to say that, there are some ball pythons that do whistle/wheeze now and then even when healthy? Not saying this is or isn't the case with mine, but it is at least a possibility? I am specifically talking about ball pythons only.

I always thought any sound other than defensive hissing meant RI.