Does this sound like R.I....?

whoaxmary · 06-02-11, 10:17 AM

Alright, so just recently I've started to wonder if my pine snake Richard possibly has an R.I. He went through quarantine in a seperate part of the house, and I never notice anything expect a few weird poops. (He was fed eggs before I got him..) He was also kept in a basement with no light or heat, so I was almost expecting R.I. He is a very spunky character, he hisses costantly, and flicks his tail like he thinks he has a rattle. He never bites - and is slowly becoming better with handling. The past few times I've held him I can not tell if I am hearing him breathing, or if it's just a tiny hiss here and there?
He does not have any mucus near his eyes, or mouth, and seems otherwise healthy. . . I'm hoping it's nothing - but I should know better. Already have phoned the clinic to make an appointment to be save.

stephanbakir · 06-02-11, 10:27 AM

If you aren't sure its an RI it probably isn't and because you are getting him checked out early if it is an RI you wont have any problem fixing it. Pine snakes are notorious hissers so I wouldn't worry, its probably nothing.

whoaxmary · 06-02-11, 10:33 AM

I was hoping so. His conditions before I got him were what concerned me.
And yes, I've learned how notorious they are for hissing. He seems pretty content wrapping around my arms and side but always will hiss.
My poor mother gets a fright every morning I'm not home an she turns my lights on for me, because he always hisses at her, and he's so large it's not hard to hear.
Thanks for the reply Stephan, made me feel a tad better.