young red tail boa with possible breathing issues?

[reptilesandpathology]

This is my first time owning a red tail boa and even though he's almost a year old he's pretty small (he was the runt of the litter). He's an excellent eater (currently on f/t rat pups); I had him for a month so far and tonight was the first night I was able to handle him for a long period of time. He's still getting used to handling so he usually moves around a bit, but tonight he wrapped around my arm and rested his head on my hand. Every time he exhaled I could feel it and it sounded like a "pop" noise. Is that normal? I'm not sure if breathing in red tail boas is normally auditory.

[Fraido]

Sounds like it could be an RI. Any bubbles visible in his mouth? Their breathing can often be heard, but it just sounds like a hiss, not a pop. I'd bump the temp up a degree and up the humidity and see if that helps, if it gets worse I'd recommend a vet visit.

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[reptilesandpathology]

Sounds like it could be an RI. Any bubbles visible in his mouth? Their breathing can often be heard, but it just sounds like a hiss, not a pop. I'd bump the temp up a degree and up the humidity and see if that helps, if it gets worse I'd recommend a vet visit.

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I didn't see any bubbles near his mouth, but I'll call my exotic vet for an appointment to be on the safe side

[reptilesandpathology]

I brought him to the vet and he does have a RI. He had his first dose of antibiotics at the office and I have to give the rest throughout the next couple of weeks via subcutaneous injection. He was actually a very good boy at the vet.

[Fraido]

Glad you're getting it dealt with!

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