I ripped a giant fart in the snake house last week and the snake I farted on came down with a bad RI. Therefore I can personally attest to a firsthand link between stinky flatulence and respiratory infections in snakes.
I cured it by playing the odd numbered tracks of Puscifer's "Conditions of My Parole" for three days straight. Some one eyed hunchback at Rasputin Records who I nod to but don't dare speak to gave me this advice telepathically.