sick or not??

[harm286]

so i hink my boys sick ... i hear a click when he breaths out ...
is it time for a vet visit?

[dr del]

Hi,

It depends.

Is he either about to shed or just has?

Can you tell where the noises are coming from ( nose or further down the body ). That's not an easy thing to judge well though.

Can you hear the noises all the time when he is breathing?

I mean do you still hear it when he is just chillin in his enclosure rather than only when you are holding him or he is breathing hard.

Are there any signs of mucus build up in his mouth or nose?


dr del

[harm286]

well he hasnt shed but i can hear it when he breaths out
and when i open'd his mouth i didnt see any bubbles but i did see
his tounge with slime mucus like ...

[harm286]

tip of his nose

[dr del]

Hi,

Is he in the shedding stages though - is his belly pink or his skin duller than usual etc?

I ask because that can make them produce noises when breathing as well.

Also do a visual check for stuck shed or boogers in his nose.

And does he make the noises all the time even when not being held etc?

Does he seem to spend a long time sitting with his head elevated and/ or his mouth open?


dr del

[harm286]

he has hadstuck shed but just a couple scales ... ive been bathing him
his bottom end was pink and the middle of him ... but he poop'd on me while me checking his mouth so i dont kno if thats why he wuz pink down there
he hasnt shed for a mouth so i dont kno

[dr del]

Hi,

No the poop and the pink are unlikely to be related.

Where is the stuck shed and what size (weight ) is he and how is he eating.

If he is young and eating well it is perfectly possible he is shedding again a month later.

But if he is an adult and not eating it becomes less likely and the pink might need to be looked at.

How often have you been bathing him?


dr del

[harm286]

once every two weeks now ...
he is young around 154-165 he eats well about the only python that has givin me any problems with that... ive switch'd him from hoopers to rat pups he has been eating them for two weeks

[Jason Bowden]

Start researching respiratory infections. Even if this is not the case, it will prepare you if it ever occurs. Maybe up your temp a tad. Also a humid hide during the shed cycle.

[dr del]

Hi,

I would probably just keep an eye on it for a week to see if he goes into shed.

If the noises get worse or you see open mouthed breathing, sitting with head raised, or signs of a lot of mucus then a vet appointment would be the way to go.

If he still makes the noise after a good shed (remember to check the shed skin for eyecaps and look at the nose area at the same time ) then I would also think about putting on a vet appointment.

Also remember not to soak before the shed if he does go into blue - that can actually cause a bad shed.

Just get the humidity up to 60-70% or so and let him get on with it.


dr del