Help: Possible RI or other problem?

[xmrmex]

*Reason for posting* I realize there are lots of RI threads but at my risk of sounding ignorant I don't know what people mean by weezing, my snake makes a whistle type sound and I am not sure if that is considered weezing(Better safe than sorry).


I recently adopted a 2.5 year old BP a few days ago, I took him out today to do a closer inspection of him and he seems to be whistling when he exhales sometimes, its not every breath but it happens at least every minute or so.

He just shed <1 week ago so I also considered it could possibly be some stuck shed on his head because it seems to look odd colors in bright light(I can possibly get a picture if it would help).
Doesn't seem to be making any other sounds like popping(Held him near my ear for about 5 minutes).
And I don't see any secretions coming off his face.

Also he sometimes looks straight up for about 30 seconds, very random in my eyes but is that normal?
How often should healthy snakes yawn, I read that was another sign of RI. Ive personally seen him yawn 3 times since I got him but at the time didn't think to look for mucus because I hadn't heard the whistle breathing yet.

Sorry if I seem a bit frazzled, hes just such a sweet little guy I don't want him to get seriously ill.

On another note how much do regular snake vet check ups/sexing cost? I'm curious to find out (his/her) true sex and I don't feel comfortable doing it myself for the snakes sake and I'd like to have an expert examine it as far as health goes.

[starmom]

Taking your last question first: Call around and talk to vets in your area and try to find one who has education and training and experience with herps. Lots of vet receptionists will say the vat has experience and so it is fine to ask for references, what types of herps, how long, etc. Than you can ask how much a general check up and sexing would cost.

Because your snake is an adopted, new to you snake, I think it is wise to get him to the vet for a once over. The vet can open his mouth (even you can) and look for mucous and/or bubbles. Without being able to see and/or hear your snake, it would be difficult to diagnose early stage RI.

So, start calling around to area vets!

[xmrmex]

Well he had a check up today, hes 800~grams and doesn't have mites or anything. The vet opened his mouth and there isn't any build up but he said the snake needed to eat.

So he gave me a shot of antibiotics to administer to the rat before I fed it to the snake(Which was wasn't very fun), to help if it is an early stage of R.I.
He ate it like a champ and is now laying down in his warm side!

I am extremely happy right now!

(P.S. It's amazing how fast he was out looking for the rat once i started pre-scenting)

[starmom]

Pre-scenting is amazing and I have never heard of slipping the snake a mickey like that. I am interested as to what members who have dealt with RI's have to say about this....

[xmrmex]

It was a very gruesome thing with the rat, definitely not something I'd want to do every day.

He said that he'd rather the snake get them that way than getting shots because they rather dislike them, or force feeding it down with a syringe.

Do any of you feed your snake enhanced food or ad anything to their water ever? (Vitamins?)

Also does 800 grams seem small for a 2.5 year old snake? He was being fed every 2 weeks a small rat, I'll be feeding him them weekly if he'll take them.