Reptile & Amphibian Forums

when my redtail is moving around a lot he kind of makes a really quiet whistling sound on his exhale and every once in a while on an inhale, he doesn't normally does this unless he has been moving lots, is this normal kind of a whistle or could it be a respitory problem

thanks derek

he also does it when he starts breathing harder when i start to pick him up i kind of thought it was him hissing, he does that sometimes but it's quiet when he hisses, so i am having trouble trying to figure it out, i was told to make the humidity go down, and get the ambient temperature around 88 degrees, so i am trying that but i need help

thanks derek

It kinda sounds like the onst of a resp. infection. Jack the heat up to say 90 and give him some Batryl (as directed by a vet) or Tilan 200 every three days. Be sure and weigh him first so you know the right dosage to give. If you use Batryl be sure and tell your vet it is for a snake so he/she can dilute it for you. This will also determine the formula you use to figure up the exact dosage for the snake. The vet should be able to tell you the exact dosage if you provide him/her with the exact weight. Both medicines are usually given in the muscle along the spine. In the first third of the body from the head. This should knock it out and I hope this has helped.
Good luck,
Gilbert Thompson

i got him out tonight and it doesn't happen everytime, it happens vsometimes on the exhale but sometimes not at all i can feel his breath but not hear a thing other than air blowing, the temps at 90 but should i raise or lower the humidity, or leav it the same

thanks derek

Pehaps he has asthma, I have it myself and when ever I run I get an attack unless he has an respitory infection. Higher humidity helps me get over an asthma attack. I would consult a vet