From what you describe it sounds like the ambient cage humidity may be a little low. This typically may cause the lungs and nasal passages to dry and cause this slight wheezing sound while breathing. If you were getting into the initial stages of an RI, you would see a little excess clear mucous in the mouth, and sometimes around the nares as well, along with the slight wheezing sound.

Bci are very resilient and much more tolerant of cooler night temps than Bcc. However, I would recommend a minimum temp of 80 to 85 during the day, with night temps no lower than 70. The only time I would allow temps on any of my Bci to fall into the 60’s was when I was running them through a cool down period prior to breeding. Even then, I would always bring the day temps back up to the low 80’s. Humidity does not need to be high with Bci, but should be somewhere in the 60% range. Raise temps and humidity slightly and see if it disappears. Even if it does move into the initial stages of an RI, higher temps (low 90’s) and elevated humidity (70 to 80 %) can still be used to resolve the condition. Typically, only more advanced cases of an RI require the use of antibiotics.

Kelly

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