Reticulated Python

[zmd0827]

I had a reticulated python that came in as a rescue not too long ago. She showed no signs of any problems, just the owner didn't want her any more. She was a bit underfed, but not to the point of concern. She has since bounced back, and is quite healthy. She's undergoing her first shed under my care, has the usual underbelly redness and has begun to "blue up" in the eyes... It's not nearly as blue as it should be, just prior to the actual shed, but still within it's beginning stages. This retic is give or take 4 months maybe. She was definitely a hatchling of the year previous.

I have noticed that she is wheezing ever so slightly. It's very minimal, but still there. I have kept an exceptionally careful eye on her, and she isn't showing any signs of a URI. She still acts normally; no head propping, no gaping mouth. I've opened her mouth a few times to take a look-see inside, and no mucus at all.

Any suggestions?

[jdryden78]

Raise the temps a few degrees above normal and keep it that way for a week or so. As long as theres no mucus and its eating well, it should clear itself up if caught early.

[zmd0827]

Should I dumb out the humidity a bit? I upped it ever so slightly to help with her oncoming shed.

[Jadonh]

I would, with her beginning to shed she should begin to soak, so no need to raise the humidity especially in case as this, also remember retics are talkers and sometimes wnt make a noise till we are close by, all of mine are pretty quite till i get near thecae and then you can hear them hissing and being, well retics, brumes do it also.At least all my brumes and retics do. Good luck , and good job

[mainbutter]

I've known plenty of snakes that would breath heavy without it being a sign of RI.. particularly when they're in shed.

Keep an eye on it and check for mucous for sure, but it may not be RI.

[zmd0827]

Thanks guys, I'll keep you posted. This retic is by far the most calm... She has developed a tiny bit of a feeding response, and so I induced hook training and she's coming around to it.

I have only had one strike from her because she ironically doesn't like the water (which is weird, I know), and when I tried to place her in the tub, she struck at me in a "don't do it, man!" kind of way.

[mumps]

I would, with her beginning to shed she should begin to soak, so no need to raise the humidity especially in case as this, also remember retics are talkers and sometimes wnt make a noise till we are close by, all of mine are pretty quite till i get near thecae and then you can hear them hissing and being, well retics, brumes do it also.At least all my brumes and retics do. Good luck , and good job

What the hell is a "brume"? If your retics are "talking" to you, you don't interact with them enough...

Chris

[zmd0827]

What the hell is a "brume"? If your retics are "talking" to you, you don't interact with them enough...

Chris

He probably misspelled "burm" and added an ES to the end of it... But yeah, I handle this snake every day for at least 20 minutes, so that's not an issue.

[Jadonh]

What the hell is a "brume"? If your retics are "talking" to you, you don't interact with them enough...

Chris

I meant a burm it was typo. I have been breeding and keeping snakes for 30 years and I interact with all of them on a daily basis, Every brume and retic I have owned in the last 14 years has been a talker, all of them have to include all the ones I have now. They are talkers and will let out a hiss to talk to you, always have so please do not tele they don't or that I don't interact with them enough. Oh yeah by the way I do education shows with my purple albino some times 3-4 times a week and he is a talker even as a hatchling but has never struck or tried to bite me or anyone else. Thats the problem with people today they think that because they have had one or two large snakes they know everything, not true. 30 years and I still don't know it all and I still ask questions. Thanks for your input though.

[Jadonh]

I meant a burm it was typo. I have been breeding and keeping snakes for 30 years and I interact with all of them on a daily basis, Every brume and retic I have owned in the last 14 years has been a talker, all of them have to include all the ones I have now. They are talkers and will let out a hiss to talk to you, always have so please do not tele they don't or that I don't interact with them enough. Oh yeah by the way I do education shows with my purple albino some times 3-4 times a week and he is a talker even as a hatchling but has never struck or tried to bite me or anyone else. Thats the problem with people today they think that because they have had one or two large snakes they know everything, not true. 30 years and I still don't know it all and I still ask questions. Thanks for your input though.