Why is my ball python wheezing?

Wheezing, labored breathing and discharges can indicate that your snake has an upper respiratory infection. The causative organism can be viral, bacterial or fungal, which can cause serious illness or death if left untreated.

Why is my ball python making noises?

Whilst certain noises are the result of physical exertion or plain grouchiness, others are a sign of illness. If you hear gurgling, wheezing, or clicking, skip any investigation and go straight to a vet – ASAP! Generally speaking, if you keep a snake for some time you will get to know what noises are normal for it.

How do you tell if your ball python has a respiratory infection?

Snakes with respiratory infections may have excess mucus in their mouths, nasal discharge, lethargy, loss of appetite, wheezing, and may make 'gurgling' sounds or open mouth breathe.

Is it normal to hear my snake breathing?

Crackly breathing is not a good thing. Some snakes may have an audible sound when they breathe, during or right before the shedding process, from the skin expanding and contracting when it inhales and exhales, and that is not a sign of disease or illness.

Is snake respiratory infection contagious?

Willems: Nidovirus is a viral infection that causes respiratory disease in ball pythons. It's considered a fatal disease, there is no treatment for it and it's highly contagious, so it's a really big deal, and it's something we haven't seen in the Denver area.

Identifying Upper Respiratory Infections in Snakes

What does a wheezing snake sound like?

Snakes often wheeze or make a clicking sound when they are about to shed. This is no cause for concern, and will go away shortly after the snake sheds. Snakes that continue to wheeze for more than a day or two after shedding should see a veterinarian promptly.

Why is my snake hissing for no reason?

As previously mentioned, hissing is a form of communication. If your snake is missing at you, it means it's feeling afraid, upset or annoyed. Any time your snake hisses at you, stop handling it and give it some time alone.

Can ball pythons have too much humidity?

In the rare case you see pools of water around the enclosure, your ball python's humidity is too high. Humidity much above 70% can quickly lead to a respiratory infection. To reduce the humidity, you should increase the tank's ventilation.

Why is my snake making choking noises?

Respiratory Infection

Captive snakes are prone to respiratory infections, which means they have too much mucus in their mouth. What is this? Signs often include lethargy, lack of appetite, nasal discharge, wheezing, and making gurgling noises, which could be confused as a cough.

How do you treat respiratory infections in reptiles?

Treatment. Antibiotics given by mouth, injection, or via inhalation are an essential part of treating bacterial respiratory tract infections. If parasites or fungi are involved, different medications will be prescribed.

How do you know if your snake is dying?

Breathing issues are one of the major signs of a dying snake. You can come to know that if your snake is straining to breathe or is breathing by keeping its mouth open. Apart from these, you may also hear your snake gasping for air or wheezing loudly.

Do snakes make noises?

Most people are familiar with the adrenaline-spiking sound of a hiss or rattle, but snakes make plenty more noises than just your typical hiss. Some of the sounds and noises snakes make include hissing, rattling, buzzing, growling, and shrieking.

What temperature do ball pythons need?

Temperature and Humidity

Ideal temperatures for Ball Pythons range from 75-80°F on the cool side and 80-85°F on the warm side. Provide an 88-92°F basking area on the warm side.

What does it mean when a snake stares at you?

A snake usually stares at its owner because it wants to be fed. Other reasons include protecting its environment, sensing heat, and lacking trust. In some cases, it can be a sign of stargazing, which is a dangerous condition requiring medical treatment.

Why is my snake making a whistling noise?

The most common reason why some snake species whistle is the beginning of the shedding cycle when there is a loose layer of skin inside their nostrils. Once the process is over, the snakes do not produce any more whistling sounds. Some snake species will produce a whistle after swallowing prey.

Can a snake survive Nidovirus?

There is evidence that reptiles can be asymptomatic when infected with nidoviruses. Detections have been reported in snakes, lizards and turtles in the absence of clinical disease.

How do you treat a snake with pneumonia?

Pnuemonias caused by bacteria or with secondary bacterial infections are frequently treated with antibiotics. These antibiotics may be given orally (in the mouth) or by injection. It is important to give the prescribed amount of antibiotic at the time interval indicated by your veterinarian.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a upper respiratory infection?

Why is my python breathing heavy?

Heavy Breathing in Snakes Due to Stress Things that can cause stress in ball pythons include: Suboptimal conditions in the enclosure, e.g. it's too hot or the enclosure hasn't been cleaned. You're handling your ball python too frequently. The enclosure is too big, which makes the snake feel insecure.

What does a dehydrated ball python look like?

So, what does a dehydrated ball python look like? A dehydrated ball python will have wrinkly skin, creasing eyes, constipation, and a dry mouth. A stuck shed may also occur due to inadequate moisture and enough fluids in the body.

What happens if a ball python gets too cold?

Hypothermia. Your ball python can develop hypothermia if it is kept in an environment that is too cold for too long, or only given heat for a few hours per day. This can also lead to your snake developing other health conditions such as a respiratory infection.