So Phyllis my SD retic has been pushing really hard the last month or so. Minor swelling on either or both side of her tip lip, little bits of saliva on the area of the cage door that she pushes at. Her breathing is also a bit noisier on the exhale for about the last month-ish too. Not rattly or crackly, no bubbles, no elevated head breathing, but does occasionally have a fairly forceful "sneeze" as a real hard exhale. She does chill out significantly with a meal in her belly but a couple of times after eating her lips will swell up more than earlier that day. Inside of her mouth looks clean, good color, no stringy mucous that I can see. Temps are 88-90* warm side, 80-81* cool side, 75-80% humidity in a T8. Heated with pro heat RHP.
Does this sound like the beginning of an RI? Maybe a broken tooth? Abscess? Or maybe the stretching of her jaws to eat a large rat irritates swelling from previous pushing? She's still very active, never turns down a meal, very curious when I have her out and about. Just looking for some input from other retic keepers on here before I stress her out taking her to a vet, which I'm not overly confident that vets in my area will be too familiar with dealing with retics. Thanks y'all!



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