Wheezing can be an annoying symptom. Perhaps it's nothing; a minor aberance from an old nose injury, or loose scales ect. Unfortunately, it is also likely to be something health related. In the instance of RI's, it can be more tale telling than many think.

Minor "RI's" are often temp/stress related from the whole purchase cycle. Higher temps can often help create the fever necessary to fight this off. However, in a chronically infected animal, some degree of pneumonia is usually associated with it. The problem with pneumonia in snakes is that they cannot cough. The loooong, lungs extend so far into the body cavity that it is nearly impossible to expell the infection. Thus, the infection of the upper respiratory are resolved, while the pneumonia only festers, again to reappear as what seems to be a seperate incident.

Another associated problem with "poor-doers" and reoccurent respiratory problems are immunocompromised individuals. Iridovirus, herpes virus, IBD virus, among others, can lead to this type of individual. Make sure your snake is under quarantine until a good 6 months of perfect health is observed. Having a complete diagnostic workup on your new snake (bloodwork, fecal and lung x-rays) would be a safety step of significant value.

Ian

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• health question - riddick13, Tue Jan 3 07:43:34 2006
• RE: health question - joeysgreen, Wed Jan 4 20:16:06 2006
• thanks for the reply - riddick13, Thu Jan 5 08:04:31 2006