Kingsnake has an RI :/

[Bogertophis]

I still haven't been able to contact my first choice vet but I did get in touch with the second one. I asked about their experience with doing tracheal washes and I got a fairly vague response from the receptionist about how their vets are avian specialists but are able and experienced with treating snakes. I don't think she knew enough about the actual treatments to give me a more a more specific answer. Apparently they are also booked into December so the only way I would be able to get an appointment there is through the emergency room where she said a general er physician would see us first and then they could call in a more specialized vet if needed. I'm a little hesitant, does this sound like a good option to pursue or should I keep trying to get an appointment with my first choice?

As for the snake, in her enclosure she seems normal and active. When I take her out to check on her she also acts as she usually does. I've opened her mouth again and as far as I can tell there's still no excess saliva, although maybe I should try to upload a picture here in case I'm missing something. Her breathing has been silent up until today when I heard some soft popping noises. I'm planning to feed her tomorrow so I'll see if she refuses or not.

I'm not seeing your snake to know for sure if she really has an RI, but since the symptoms are so slight, it's certainly NOT an emergency, & I'd keep trying for your regular vet, if anything, for now.

Some snakes also make some little popping noises when a tiny bit of previously-shed skin remains in their nostrils. (FYI, snakes normally shed the skin in the outer part of their nostrils- & with some snakes, it just gets stuck.) I have a feeling yours is something like this, & she's not actually sick. I'm curious to see if she eats tomorrow...I hope so. King snakes are not prone to RI's the way BPs are, perhaps because they don't need the higher temps. that are harder for owners to maintain? And kings (in fact, most colubrids) are just more "forgiving" about humidity too.