squeek

[jsc230]

I've had my ball python for about 1 month now. Today when i had it out I noticed it makes a quiiet squeek when it exhales. is this normal or is it a sign of a respitory infection? I haven't had him out too muh in the past month, tryingto let him settle in.

He has eaten 3 time in the time i've had him (he ate the day we got him at the store). Last time he ate was saturday.

I have a leopard gecko, but its never had an infection so not sure what it would sound like.

Temps are fine, 92 basking 80 on the cool side, the humidity out side the cage is 57% and inside he has a water bowl and a humid hide. He's still young, about 19" long and 123g (all as of saturday).

I hope I gave you all the info you need. if not just ask.

Joe Conklin
joeconklin@gmail.com

[JimiSnakes]

Most of the time a RI will make the snake open it's mouth to breath and blow its throw out like a balloon. I'm not sure what or if there is anything wrong with your BP, but if it starts having those symptoms above you should bring it to a vet.

I know when I used to have BPs they never squeaked, but the others here should have more useful information. If you don't hear anything soon I'd bring it to a vet for a check anyways...better to be safe then sorry.

~Jim

[daniel1983]

Sometimes bps will 'squeak' during shed time. Is it current about to shed?

Like Jim said, there are usually other signs associated with a RI. Do you notice any other behavior/noise out of the ordinary?

[Lady Python]

OK. Temps are fine at the warm end, my BPs are 82 at the cool end. You say the humidity outside the viv is 57%. What's the humidity like inside the viv? Do you have a humidity gauge as well as temp gauges? If not, these are easily obtained and fairly cheap. Mine cost £6 here in the UK (less than $12).


I only put a humid hide in with my BPs when they're in shed (as soon as their eyes turn blue) and use a hand mister (you know those things for misting plants) to keep the humidity up while they're shedding. The last couple of times one of my BPs shed he didn't use the humid hide at all, and he had a perfect shed. My BP decided it made a great en-suite bathroom instead

My other BP, who was a rescue, and had been seriously neglected, didn't shed well the first time probably because when I got him from the rescuers he was still underweight and recovering. This time he shed perfectly without any assistance from me. I just made sure I misted the viv regularly to keep the humidity up. There's a pic of him in the Pictures forum if you want to have a look. I'd say he's now fully recovered.

When my BPs are not in shed, their humidity sits between 50% and 55% - usually nearer 55%. BPs don't need so much humidity as other snakes (e.g. Rainbow Boas) so it could be too damp for him.

To make sure he's OK, if he were my snake, I'd take him to the vet. If he has got an RI, I would "nip it in the bud" before it gets any worse. I've never heard any of my snakes "squeek" yet (and I've got 11 altogether). I'm a great believer in not letting things run on for two reasons. 1) is that if the snake feels unwell (you know what it's like when you've got a cold ) getting him to the vet and getting proper medication cures the infection so your snake will feel a lot happier and 2) it's a lot cheaper to deal with something quickly than let it run on and find you've got a major problem to deal with. Better to pay $50 (or £) than $500+ (or £).

He may have been harbouring an infection from before you got him. I'd play it safe and take him to the vet.

Let us know how you get on.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Most of the time a RI will make the snake open it's mouth to breath and blow its throw out like a balloon.

That's true in severe advanced cases of URI. Sometimes when it gets to the point the road to recovery could take years.

Catching URI early (during the whistle/squeak stage) is the best way to eliminate it quickly.

-adam