Worried...

[Trollbie]

Do snakes make clicking/crackling time noises for reasons other than RI?

I noticed Zeus makes these sounds. But they're not consistent and I only hear them when I pick him up. But he's little so the sounds might not be loud enough for me to hear other times :/

I don't see mucus or discharge from his mouth. I don't see him ever open his mouth. I tried to feed just now and he didn't take it, but that could be because he's going into a shed.

If you think he might have an RI, do I take him to the vet ASAP? Or do I wait till he's done shedding?

:(

[Carlie]

There is another reason !

Does it only occur when he is shedding? Clicking noises are very common in shedding snakes, it is the skin around his nose making the clicks when he breaths.

RI's often start with wheezing/sneezing before clicking occurs.

If you are worried it is an RI, bump up the heat and reduce humidity, they are very manageable .

[BarelyBreathing]

There is another reason !

Does it only occur when he is shedding? Clicking noises are very common in shedding snakes, it is the skin around his nose making the clicks when he breaths.

RI's often start with wheezing/sneezing before clicking occurs.

If you are worried it is an RI, bump up the heat and reduce humidity, they are very manageable .


I've never heard a shedding snake make any noises while breathing other than for the reason of being ill or for hissing/huffing.

Trollbie, you may want to schedule a vet appointment, or put your snake in a humidity chamber.

[millertime89]

he's in shed, if it persits after he's shed his skin check to see if he's got some skin left in his nostrils, if he doesn't then its possible he's got an RI. What's your temp and humidity at?

[Carlie]

I've never heard a shedding snake make any noises while breathing other than for the reason of being ill or for hissing/huffing.

Trollbie, you may want to schedule a vet appointment, or put your snake in a humidity chamber.


I have a snake that clicks every time she is in shed, it is not unheard of.

And humidity will only make an RI worse !

I also agree, wait till he sheds, if the clicking does not stop you should make an appointment. In the mean time I suggest bumping the temps and lowering humidity !

[millertime89]

I've never heard a shedding snake make any noises while breathing other than for the reason of being ill or for hissing/huffing.

Really? I hear about it with retics regularly.
If you're really worried bump temp and humidity. Humidity should be knocking on 90% and temps mid 80s. Keep it high.

[millertime89]

And humidity will only make an RI worse !

I also agree, wait till he sheds, if the clicking does not stop you should make an appointment. In the mean time I suggest bumping the temps and lowering humidity !

not with BRBs, they NEED the humidity, especially the little ones.

[Trollbie]

Temp is around 80-85 on his hot side. The cool side is in the 60s. He never goes there so I kinda stopped worrying about his cool side as much. Humidity should be in the 80s. I say should be because I've been calibrating my digital hygros so all I have in there is a Petco analog one. But when I did the salt test it was actually pretty accurate. I'm getting ready to put the digital one back in tomorrow. But I mist twice a day at least.

[millertime89]

Sounds like you don't really have anything to worry about then. I WOULD try and boost that cool side, but the snake isn't stupid and will go where its most comfortable.

[millertime89]

Oh, and just an fyi, my SD retic is in shed right now and I heard her clicking today too when I was cleaning and misting and she was visibly breathing hard. Although I've never heard it from her before I'm not exactly worried. I am however going to check for signs of an RI once she gets rid of that pesky shed. She's been dull for 8ish days now.

[BarelyBreathing]

I have a snake that clicks every time she is in shed, it is not unheard of.

And humidity will only make an RI worse !

I also agree, wait till he sheds, if the clicking does not stop you should make an appointment. In the mean time I suggest bumping the temps and lowering humidity !

Nope, never. And rainbow boas need humidity, otherwise they will get a respiratory infection. Do research before you dangerously suggest lowering humidity levels on a snake that needs a humidity level up to 90%

Really? I hear about it with retics regularly.
If you're really worried bump temp and humidity. Humidity should be knocking on 90% and temps mid 80s. Keep it high.

I don't keep retics. That could be why.

[millertime89]

entirely plausible, I don't frequent BRB or other species specific boards though. Mostly the two major retic ones and this one and one other.

[Trollbie]

Ugh I've been trying to keep that cool side a little higher... I'm seriously considering putting him in a plastic tub for now. But I don't know how I'd keep it heated since a UTH would melt it.

[Trollbie]

... Well never mind. His hot side temp is actually around 76. It's been cold outside because it's raining and my room doesn't get heat from the house heater. i just set the thermo to 95 (it was set to 90 before).

I got some more moss today, should I put it in his hot side hide? he's always there

[BarelyBreathing]

I keep UTHs on plastic tubs no problem. :D

[millertime89]

I keep UTHs on plastic tubs no problem. :D

ditto. However I prefer flexwatt to UTHs, I need to order more. If you order from Reptile Basics they'll do all the wiring for you. Its worth it and even with shipping its cheaper than the mats at the pet store.

[Trollbie]

ditto. However I prefer flexwatt to UTHs, I need to order more. If you order from Reptile Basics they'll do all the wiring for you. Its worth it and even with shipping its cheaper than the mats at the pet store.

Kay thanks :) I'll look into it.

[Trollbie]

Also, when I went to measure the temp, I heard no clicking. With RIs, is it consistent?

[millertime89]

I think so, but I have no personal experience. I'm sure someone here that does will chime in. Twice I worried that one of my snakes had an RI and I took immediate steps to prevent the possibility. My thought process is that if the conditions are good enough to make an RI go away, its not gonna hurt them to put them in those conditions for a week or two just to be safe. It may be a little harder to maintain (high temp/humidity) but it's better than a vet trip, baytril, added stress on the snake, etc.

[Trollbie]

I think so, but I have no personal experience. I'm sure someone here that does will chime in. Twice I worried that one of my snakes had an RI and I took immediate steps to prevent the possibility. My thought process is that if the conditions are good enough to make an RI go away, its not gonna hurt them to put them in those conditions for a week or two just to be safe. It may be a little harder to maintain (high temp/humidity) but it's better than a vet trip, baytril, added stress on the snake, etc.

Especially since the vet is like an hour away... :hmm:

[BarelyBreathing]

With respiratory infections it isn't consistent in the early stages.

[millertime89]

Mine is about that too.

[Trollbie]

With respiratory infections it isn't consistent in the early stages.

FML


Well, can yall please pray/cross your fingers for Zeus?

[millertime89]

I'm on it.
I still don't think he's got one. Since he's in a glass aquarium right now, if you're really worried, get a cardboard box and cut it up so you can use the corrugated cardboard to cover the sides, its a great insulator.

[BarelyBreathing]

FML


Well, can yall please pray/cross your fingers for Zeus?


Absolutely. And you can't go wrong putting him in some extra humidity for a few minutes. If it continues after he sheds, I'd take him to the vet.

[Trollbie]

I'm on it.
I still don't think he's got one. Since he's in a glass aquarium right now, if you're really worried, get a cardboard box and cut it up so you can use the corrugated cardboard to cover the sides, its a great insulator.

I thought about wrapping a blanket around or something. Would that work?

[Trollbie]

Absolutely. And you can't go wrong putting him in some extra humidity for a few minutes. If it continues after he sheds, I'd take him to the vet.

The only thing I can think of that doesn't require handling is misting... Any other ideas?

[BarelyBreathing]

Do you have a fogger?

[Trollbie]

Do you have a fogger?

No. I want one, but I can't afford one at the moment :(

[millertime89]

If you've got some sphagnum moss, get that, soak it in water, and stuff it in one of his hides. If not, get some anyways and do it, its pretty cheap. I sprinkle some around my enclosures for the ones that need the really high humidity.
A blanket will work, but not as well. Air is a fantastic insulator so the more air pockets you can create between the glass and the room the better. That's why light fluffy goose down makes excellent coat stuffers, TONS of air pockets.

[Trollbie]

If you've got some sphagnum moss, get that, soak it in water, and stuff it in one of his hides. If not, get some anyways and do it, its pretty cheap. I sprinkle some around my enclosures for the ones that need the really high humidity.
A blanket will work, but not as well. Air is a fantastic insulator so the more air pockets you can create between the glass and the room the better. That's why light fluffy goose down makes excellent coat stuffers, TONS of air pockets.

I have the ExoTerra brick of moss. Should I put some under him in his hot hide? I already have some in his cool side cave but he's never been in there

[millertime89]

I would yeah.

[Trollbie]

K. How much?

[millertime89]

umm... enough? I dunno to be honest. I just put some in there. Not so much its stuffed, just enough to boost the humidity, which won't require too much.
Make sure he's got a water bowl on the warm side to soak in too. I catch Nero in there regularly anymore when he's in shed.

[Trollbie]

umm... enough? I dunno to be honest. I just put some in there. Not so much its stuffed, just enough to boost the humidity, which won't require too much.
Make sure he's got a water bowl on the warm side to soak in too. I catch Nero in there regularly anymore when he's in shed.

Yeah his bowl is on the warm side.

[millertime89]

He'll take care of himself then. As long as you provide the conditions he need. They've survived millions of years in the wild, one rough week in shed won't do him any harm as long as the husbandry is correct.

[Trollbie]

Well the moss is soaking, so we shall see.

[Trollbie]

How much tape should I get?

[millertime89]

tape? Did I miss something again?
I tend to do that.

[Trollbie]

flex watt...

[millertime89]

OH heat tape. Call Reptile Basics and they'll talk with you about your options. I forget who exactly I spoke with but he was SUPER helpful.

[Trollbie]

OH heat tape. Call Reptile Basics and they'll talk with you about your options. I forget who exactly I spoke with but he was SUPER helpful.

Ok. I'll do that :)

[millertime89]

its great to have business owners like that in the community willing to help out the average Joe.

[Trollbie]

Well the moss definitely helped a little with humidity

[millertime89]

toldyaso.
:D

[millertime89]

oh, and like I said with my retic, she shed, clicking disappeared. She's gorgeous now.

[Trollbie]

weeeee1!!!!

[millertime89]

weeeee1!!!!

lol, where did this come from?
edit: nevermind, I saw your other post.

[Trollbie]

lolz! this doent happen often. I dont go out nymote because of school.. such a gramma now,,

[millertime89]

being responsible and growing up sucks. I've maybe gone out 3 or 4 times since this semester started, used to go out once a week or every other week.

[Trollbie]

i;m eben more of a loser than you! :'(

[millertime89]

I highly doubt that.

[Trollbie]

im eating hot cheetos. Im a loser

[millertime89]

hot cheetos? Do explain.

[Trollbie]

CHEETOS® Crunchy FLAMIN' HOT® Cheese Flavored Snacks (http://www.fritolay.com/our-snacks/cheetos-flamin-hot.html)

[millertime89]

OH! You were talking about the flavor. My mind is a little fried. I thought you meant like you heated them up.
Jalapeno Cheetos > the rest.

[Trollbie]

Bahahahahahaha fail

[millertime89]

tonight was interesting, between the possible tornandos and how busy we were at work... I should really go to bed.

[Trollbie]

tonight was interesting, between the possible tornandos and how busy we were at work... I should really go to bed.

OR! You should cme to calu and finish tge nght off the eight way with meeeee!

[millertime89]

lol, without access to teleportation I don't think that's possible.

[Trollbie]

Make a teleport machine!

[Trollbie]

Zeus ate 2 pinkies today!!!! He even struck at the second one which made me jump a little because he's never done it before lol

I offered 3 but he didn't want the 3rd one. But 2 is still great! :D

[millertime89]

Yeah it is! Even my little guy wouldn't take 3, he was a (and still is) a little pig.

[Trollbie]

He's also cleared up and much more active. But he's still clicking :( I did notice that he was trying to kind of rub his nose on his climbing vine, so hopefully it is just his old skin and it will come off once he sheds.

[millertime89]

Now that he's cleared up it won't be much longer! Mine usually sheds within 24 hours of clearing up.

[Trollbie]

Weeee! I hope I come home to skin tomorrow then :D

[millertime89]

Its always exciting, Nero is due soon and Tubs my BP is as well. I've been boosting his humidity and he hisses at me whenever I spray him with water. Such a ferocious ball python.

[Trollbie]

Speaking of humidity, can you please go read my "What kind of glue?" thread? :D

[millertime89]

Yeah sure. I'm on my phone so I'm just sticking with the threads that I'm subscribed to, but I'll go take a look.

[Trollbie]

Yeah sure. I'm on my phone so I'm just sticking with the threads that I'm subscribed to, but I'll go take a look.

Shfanks! :D

[millertime89]

No problemo.