Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was giving my ball a soak a few days ago to help him out of some skin that he didn't shed quite right, and right after I took him out of the water and dried him out, I heard him making little clicks and whistles with his breath. I know this is a telltale sign of a respiratory infection. BUT. The temps seem good, and now, two days later, there's no sign of those sounds whatsoever.

...Did he just get some water up his nose or something? Anybody know what this is?

He could have just inhaled a little water. At least with my experience, RI was pretty obviously. It wasn't just little clicks, but rather fairly loud 'pops' followed by deep breathing, almost gasping, and a few bubbles at the mouth. Just keep a close eye on him. Another sign is star gazing, were the snake raises his head more than normal to allow for drainage.
Pleased to say that my little guy is making a nice recovery. After a visit to the vet, a 10 day Baytril routine, and more than a month without eating, he's now showing no signs of RI what so ever and ate his first meal yesterday since the 11th of October. I was seriously losing sleep over the matter and was beginning to consider force feeding. I suppose the real test is to see whether or not he'll eat on a regular basis now.
But like I said, just keep an eye on him. Since balls can be somewhat picky eaters, if there is anything wrong with him, he may refuse a meal. That may be a good indication that something is wrong.
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1.0 Pastel Ball
1.1 Het VPI Axanthic Balls
1.1 Het Albino Balls
0.0.2 Red Tail Boas
1.0 Albino Nelsoni Milksnake
1.1 Room mates
2.2 Dogs
0.1 Cat

I would look for the basic signs, continued wezing, mouth open, and so on; however, since you said that you only heard it shortly after the soak and a day or to later it was gone, I would say most likely just some mouster build up by the nose from the soak, no harm done. I have on that always wezes when it soaks but is just fine.

I wouldn't loose to much sleep over it.
matt

dont feel bad...now im worried about that with my girl...
ive posted about her bad shed. ive gotten it off of her eyes and nostrils, a little remains on the head, but im not worried about that...
she was whistling a bit but i thought it was due to having a nostril covered in dead skin...so i figured it would go away with the skin...but its still there...
im trying to make sure the temps are good and going to keep a listening to her. its not every time she takes a breath, but just every so often- sorta like if you get a booger or nose hair a little outta wack..there is a bit of yawning, but it seems to have gotten better, i think...
she hasnt refused a meal yet...

like i said, im watching her and trying to make sure shes warm...
shes a "text book" case ball python- likes to be in the hide spot for the most part....but i think shes settling down a bit more--she came out this afternoon for a short bit. crap, im rambling...sorry i hijacked the thread and then used it for typing diarreah..LOL....
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~Snake Charmer~

3.1 dogs (church, bandit, willy and tonka)
0.2 cats (squeaky, cami)
1.1 'normal' ball pythons (zenith, zahara)and i want more snakes. guess you can say im developing a "reptile addiction"- lol

Hi,

My big girl always makes those noises when I soak her. I think they panic a little when out of there cage and get some water where it does not belong. If was still persistent a few days later I would worry.

Good luck,
Bill