Respertory Disease????????

[snakebeginner]

Hello everyone, my friend has a boa and it keeps making these hissing kinda sounds, but its not hissing. whats wrong with her someone please help. thanks aaron

[Big_V]

Snakes do kind of hiss once and awhile but if its constant there is probably something wrong. My bp wheazed a bit but it was a piece of stuck shed just on her nose. But if its with every breath most likely its a respiratory infection and should be looked at by a vet.
Cheers, RYan

[Linds]

Does the snake do this when it is being handled only, or does it also do it when it is alone in its cage? As Ryan mentioned, clogged nostrils can cause snakes to mimick the sounds of an RI, so check there first. If the snake is only doing it here and there when it is handled then that is normal, he may just be complaining, or if he is being moved in a weird way. Does the snake rest his head upwards often? Is he opening his mouth to breath? Is there any mucus in the mouth or notrils? If yes, then it may be a respiratory infection and needs veterinary attention. What are the specifics of his environment? Temperatures, humidity, etc. What kind of snake are we talking about as well?

[djc3674]

I was reluctant to post this because of my own mistakes, but here it goes.

I took my 7ft male BCI to the vet two days ago because he looked like he was having difficulty breathing. I found him wrapped around the water bowl with his mouth held wide open. This was all pretty much due to the fact that he was not being kept warm enough. I was forced by my gf to move his enclosure downstairs in the basement because it was taking up half the spare bedroom. Well even though there was a heat pad, two heat lights and a space heater on the hot side...this was not enough..the air he was breathing was just not warm enough.
Also, I noticed some skin covering his nostrils (which I removed myself) and that seemed to help alot!

I picked up a tank a bit smaller and put that in the spare bedroom, and since the temps are now around 80 degrees, he is doing much better. He has had two rounds of Baytril by mouth. I will give him another dose tonight and tomorrow night and that should be all.

I have learned a great lesson from this situation....the vet trip was $64.00 including the med. Even worse though was seeing my snake struggling....that had a great impact on me.

This was tough to post because I have to admit my mistakes to everyone, but if it helps someone prevent their snake from getting sick..then it's worth the embarassment.

Oh BTW...the Vet said it is sometimes difficult to actually diagnose RI unless they are bubbling from the nostrils or mouth. If you are unsure...just take your pet to the vet....its worth the piece of mind...BELIEVE ME!!

[Linds]

Originally posted by djc3674
Oh BTW...the Vet said it is sometimes difficult to actually diagnose RI unless they are bubbling from the nostrils or mouth. If you are unsure...just take your pet to the vet....its worth the piece of mind...BELIEVE ME!!

I am going to have to disagree with that. Did your vet do a culture on the snake, or does he simply diagnose by visual inspection? The snake does not have to be bubbling at the nose or mouth in order for a culture to be taken and analyzed, the bacteria will still be there regardless of the severity.

[djc3674]

The snake does not have to be bubbling at the nose or mouth in order for a culture to be taken and analyzed, the bacteria will still be there regardless of the severity.

Yes..your right...he did say that a culture could be done. I think he meant that you can't tell if its RI just by looking..unless it's bubbling. He just did a visual inspection for bubbling in the mouth and nostrils, and my snake was clean. He was going to give him a shot of anti-biotic..but then gave me Baytril. What do I know? This was my first trip to a vet for a reptile :confused:

BTW...my vet that I take our Pug to was out of town..so I had to find another that accepted reptiles. :rolleyes:

[snakebeginner]

when she is laying in her cage she makes that sound once in awile but when I hold her she makes that sound way more often. so and suggestions please. This snake means alot to my friend and his girlfriend.

[djc3674]

My recent escapade taught me not to be lazy when it comes to their REQUIRED husbandry. Make sure your friend is keeping the boa at the proper temps and humidity. If he is really concerned...see a vet!

[Big_V]

If she is just making it once and awhile when it is in the tank then its probably not a RI...It would be a little more constant as that they constantly breathe.LOL So id listen to its breathing a little more while at rest and if that hissing type noise happens not to often it may not be anything. When you hold the animal it will make that noise as instinct. They arent meant to be held by humans in the biological sense of the world. But if there is still serious doubt then maybe see that vet but a little more observation may ease their minds.
Cheers, Ryan