Plugged nostrils?

[mhoover]

Hey there...anyone have thoughts...
We've had our ball for almost 2 years. Doing great-eating, normal seeming activity, bowel movements. No overt symptoms of RI such as discharge, bubbles. Normal appearing respiration movement. But we've noticed him making more respiratory noises ...like an audible exhale noise lately. Sometimes the mouth opens with it but not always. It's definitely a change. He's been doing it without any progression of any symptoms for several months. My question is
1) can this be "normal" even though he didn't do it before

2) when we got him we were told that he has problem sheds and despite improving his temps and humidity and doing soaks when sheds start.. He still has problem sheds. Today I noticed that his nostrils look almost plugged with dry material which I think is retained skin... Not crusted discharge . Is it possible that's what it is? Could that be causing the respiratory noises ? If so what more can I do?

[George1994]

I am unsure about question one, I have noticed mine making small squeaking noises sometimes when they exhale, I think this is normal. If you notice happening more regularly or getting worse then it may be something to consider. As for question 2, you should stop soaking your BP every shed, and only do it if there is retained shed that needs to be removed with your help. They have oils in their skin that help them shed, and soaking them washes these away. I guess the stuff in his nostril could be skin, do you have a photo of it that you can post? Hope this helps

[mhoover]

Thanks for the response. I am so pleased. I soaked him yesterday to try to loosen up a shed that wasn't going well and carefully let a few drops roll off my finger onto his hea/nares several times and this morning...plugged appearance is gone and he is no longer doing the respiratory thing! Now I just feel bad it took me so long to figure it out!

[George1994]

Glad to hear that it is all better now