Do BPs Sneeze?

[Moofins07]

So, like the title says...

I overheard my little female make an odd... "huffing" noise while I was handling her. At first I thought it was a hiss, but she has NEVER hissed at me, or struck, and I've had her for over 3 months now. If she was ever in that stage, she's past it now. So I know it couldn't have been a hiss.

Then, a few minutes later, she did it again while crawling through my sleeve.

It's been a few days, and I haven't heard her do it again since. So, I just thought to ask... anyone ever heard their BP sneeze?

Thanks!


PS: I HAVE heard of RIs, and it crossed my mind, but her temps have been adequate (minimum 80F, and maximum 92F) although her humidity sucks taters... 30%, on average. So I have to mist several times a day and that bumps it up 45%, which still isn't great, but better.

[Reptile King]

I am not familiar with the "sneezing" of your ball python but an RI is a concern. As far as your humidity goes I am assuming she is kept in a glass enclosure? If so I would go to Home Depot or Lowe's and purchase a plexiglass and have them cut it to fit the top two thirds of the enclosure. Place it above the water bowl and your humidity will be much better with little effort on your part.

Good Luck!

[BPelizabeth]

I have heard it before with one of mine when she is crawling through my hair. Almost like she gets a hair on her nose or like us when we get a tickle in our nose and we breath out a little harder. I have also heard this right after a bath like she is clearing out her nose.

Hope this helps and I am keeping my fingers crossed no RI....

[Moofins07]

One more question, to help me gauge the seriousness... when a BP has an RI, is the "popping" noise typically constant? Or can it be intermittent? I ask because I just got the heck freaked out of me... I was holding my little one yet again, and I heard the dreadful noise... I was thinking in my head, "Oh my god, she's popping, she's popping, she's POPPING! I'm a HORRIBLE snake-mommy!" And then it stopped. After 10 seconds. Maybe she just inhaled some dust..?

Man, I'm freaked out now.

[Reptile King]

Sounds like a vet visit is in order.

[Moofins07]

Sounds like a vet visit is in order.

Ugh, that's what I was dreading... I know you have to be well-aware of the fact that an animal may get sick or injured when you accept to bring that animal into your care, but I know the man isn't going to like this... We're in a tough spot right now. But if she's sick, there's no ifs, ands, or butts...

I'll keep an eye on her, and if I definitely hear it again, I'm taking her in.

[dr del]

Hi,

Is she shedding or getting ready to?

If you hold her up to your ear is the popping coming from her nose or further down her body.

Do you hear it only when you are handling her and she is breathing faster or heavier or even when she is sitting at rest?

If you open her mouth is there a lot of frothy mucus at the back of her throat? Does it look slightly redder than the rest of her mouth? How about at the end of the beathing tube at the bottom of her mouth?

Is there any sign of mucus in her waterbowl or smeared on cage furniture?



dr del

[bailey23]

i think it might be upper respotory

[mpkeelee]

BP's do sneeze and i only hear mine do it when she had her RI. listen and feel for a small popping noise. look for all the signs like open mouth breathing, laying with her head elevated, mucus or bubbles in their mouth. if it is an RI u want to start treatment ASAP. i couldnt get into my vet right away cuz they were all booked up and by the time i did it was really bad and its taken a while to get rid of it.

[Moofins07]

Hi,

Is she shedding or getting ready to?

If you hold her up to your ear is the popping coming from her nose or further down her body.

Do you hear it only when you are handling her and she is breathing faster or heavier or even when she is sitting at rest?

If you open her mouth is there a lot of frothy mucus at the back of her throat? Does it look slightly redder than the rest of her mouth? How about at the end of the beathing tube at the bottom of her mouth?

Is there any sign of mucus in her waterbowl or smeared on cage furniture?



dr del

She had just shed five days ago.

It's definitely coming from her nose, though I've only heard it once for about 10 seconds, then it stopped. I haven't heard it since.

I haven't listened in on her while she's resting in her hide; so far, all the noise has happened while I've been holding her. She hasn't displayed any labored breathing.

I'm kind of scared to pry open her mouth. As soon as I try to peel back her lips, she freaks out, yanks her head out of my grip, and gives me the, "I hate you so much right now" look. Any tips on what's the easiest method to open a juvenile's mouth? Her head's so small, I feel like I'm choking her sometimes.

I have not seen any mucus residue in her habitat yet. Nor around her nose or mouth.