Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I just got a reticulated python and she is awesome. One thing I did notice, however, is every so often I here a wheeze when she exhales, maybe a slight hiss? Now I am freaking out. I have had many snakes but never ever had a sick one, so I don't know what it is. She is in preshed, probly gonna shed in a day or two, and I was told this could be why. Never had any of my other snakes do it when they shed.

So my question is, if it is RI, how do you fix it? I have a 100w red heat lamp on one end of her tank. Will she recover naturally or will she need to see a vet?

It is not that bad, no mucous or anything in her mouth. But she is yawnig a lot. I may make it sound worse than it is, but its seldom I hear it, not every breath. She seems very healthy and is alert and all, still curious when shes out.

Am I being a nervous nelly?

Any help is appreciated!

Gabe
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GABE C.

mine have a wierd almost-wheeze when they're a day or so away from shedding- when i look closer, the skin around the nostrils is loose and when they exhale, it whistles.
mine yawn more often when about to shed- they're working the shed loose off thier face/jaws- starting it.

you should probably check your humidity- having a lamp like that will dry out your tank VERY fast-- which could be part of the wheezing, as well as the frequent yawning- if shes too dry, then she'll have problems getting her shed started- and therefore yawns a lot....

just my experience.

Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue