whistling burm

jncoclub · 06-25-03, 09:20 PM

I’ve asked this question I the past regarding my Ball Python- but now I hear it with my Burm. Just about every time she breaths she makes a whistling sound. With the Ball Python I thought it was the beginning of a respiratory infection and got her treated. After numerous series of meds, she still occasionally made the whistling sound (and still does to this day). The outcome with the ball is that she was fine, just made some noises occasionally. But my burm never really did this in the past. When ever we would pick her up she would make the occasional hiss, but she was fine. Today when I was cleaning out her tank she wouldn’t stop the whistling sound. Her temps and humidity are good. I have actually noticed her being a bit more restless, but all our snakes are. The temperature in CT has greatly increased and the humidity is high, so they’re all more active. I was wondering if I should wait this out a bit and see what happens before going to a vet (which I haven’t done since I’ve moved to CT a couple months ago). What are your thoughts on this? Any suggestions? She’s eating/drinking/pooping fine. Not time to shed. ?????

depressor86 · 06-25-03, 09:40 PM

i know there have been a few cases of asthma in ferrets .. i dont know if snakes are affected by it. the high humidity could be a trigger for asthma or maybe allergies are coming up. who knows, ask a vet to be safest.

HetForHuman · 06-26-03, 02:11 AM

sounds like it might be the start of an RI
id go get her checked out

theroom101 · 06-26-03, 11:04 AM

Did she just shed recently. I was worried about my BCI once for a whistling that seemed to come out of nowhere (after a shed). My vet said that sometimes they can develop a slight whistle after a shed (because of something that I can't remember the details on at this point) and that it's nothing to worry about. Just make sure everything in the tank is clean, warm and properly humid and wait about 24-48 hours to see if it gets better or worse.

If this isn't after a shed, then I'd still hike the temps a little and wait 24 hours to see if things get better or worse. If there's no change or it's worse, then get her to a vet. ;-)

Linds · 06-26-03, 11:08 AM

With most snakes, you could wait it out a little while longer, but seeeing how this is a burm I would get her looked at asap. Burms and RI's are a deadly combo... due to a bacteria they have, once they get an RI, they will have an extremely difficult time getting rid of it, and it will most likely be a recurrent thing. I have even seen them die despite all possible antibiotic and temperature treatment from RI's

Hopefully its nothing, and it very well could be, but better safe than sorry, especially with these guys. Good luck and keep us updated

Thomas · 06-26-03, 11:32 AM

that happened with my corn but the guys on shat said to leave him for a few days and now its all cleared up. Then again, he is a corn and they are pretty hardy.

jncoclub · 06-26-03, 01:52 PM

If I increase the temp, shoudl I also increase the humidity?

Also, when it's warmer & more humid outside, our snakes get super active. I've noticed a rub/wear mark on my burm's nose from trying to find a way out of her tank. I put a small dab or neosporine on it, is this anyway linked to the whistling noise?

BTW- she shed about 3 weeks ago. I may have heard a fait whistle then, but nothing that alarmed me then like now.