Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay so my nearly 6', 4 year old jungle carpet python is, well he's blowing out more air than usual. I've read up ad nauseum on upper respiratory problems and can't decide whether he's developing one. He's in a 70 gallon enclosure with a (just recently made hotter) 90-98 degree hot spot. At night it gets down to about 75 in there, a bit warmer if he lays on the heating pad area. The water bowl evaporation provides any humidity, it's been pretty dry this year through the winter.

Before he shed (just a few weeks ago), he was inahling a little oddly and I could feel it in his lungs, but it seemed to stop after he shed, so I thought it might've been loose nose skin. HOWEVER, I only feed him once a month (the first day, usually), and he didn't eat his rat this month. (In fact, he took a nap. On top of it. On the hot spot. Superb smell, that.) His lack of eating is not enough evidence to me, though, because he might just not be hungry.

He's been blowing out puffs of air a lot (and sometimes sounds a teeny tiny bit wheezy when inhaling), but he isn't doing anything like holding his head up or leaking mucus. When he opened his mouth last night, it does look quite pale in there, but no mucus or anything that I could see. Am I being way too mommy here, or do you think it might develop into something worse?
Thanks for any help you might be able to provide.

First note made when reading your post is that lack of a humidity measure. I would assume it's improper until you can prove otherwise.

I am in a bit of a hurry at the moment, so be sure to check out the many other upper resp threads below.

Opinion after reading your situation though, is that your snake is not ill enough to really be showing obvious symptoms, but that you don't want to wait for that to happen. What you are describing are classic "pre" respiratory infection symptoms. While they can be from other things, like loose scales, irritation for dry air or a draft, they are also very likely the workings of your snake fighting a battle withen.

Also of concern is your mention that the snake looked pale. Many snakes normally look pale, but I"d assume your comparing this to what it looked like before.

If in doubt (and I am) take your snake to a good herp vet.

Ian

good luck

Yeah I don't have a humidity gauge in there. After reading up, I've gotten the idea that low humidity is good for respiratory issues, and I know the humidity's pretty low in there (comparitively). Now that we're headed for nicer weather, it's gonna shoot up. (YAY nice weather)! I'll get him in to a vet, there's an ARAV one right down the street. Thanks for the advice.

It looks like you've done your homework. Nice to have an ARAV member so close.

The humidity issue for sick animals is a debatable one, but it should still be in the normal range for the animal. ie, there are two chains of thought on this, one biased for low humidity, and another for higher humidity. Both have merit. If your animals prefered humidity range is say 50-75% ( I really don't know specifically for carpet pythons), then if you choose a low humidity, choose 50% and not lower.

Ian

I took him in and she says his lungs sound fine. His mouth is really quite white but no mucus. She said he could be a bit anemic or that might be his normal pigmentation, but I am pretty sure his "normal" pigmentation is a lot more blueish purplish. SO. She gave him a shot of Baytril and I also have the distinction of attempting to force some more down his throat twice next week, which should be a party for both of us. After he calms down, I'll try to feed him again. He is certainly not wasting away.

Thanks again for your good advice, I'm putting a sheet of plexi over most of the screen front of the cage, he's an Aussie snake and loves his humidity, so that'll help in that arena.