Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I adopted an adult male bp of unknown age about a month ago. He's eating like a horse, very active and alert, tame and acclimated, and in generally very good condition. However recently when I handle him I commonly hear a nasal whistling sound when he is actively tongue flicking and sniffing surfaces. No sound when he is still. His mouth is clean, no nasal discharge, no gaping or other symptoms. He's housed in a Vision terrarium with UTH at about 88 F and a radiant heat panel overhead that gives the rest of the tank about 80 F. Humidity ranges from 40% to over 60% right after misting. Bed-A-Beast substrate, hides, and large water bowl. I know this could be a sign of URI so would like suggestions as to what temp to raise the enclosure to, what humidity range would be better, and if I do need to take him in to my vet what the dosage rates of a recommended antibiotic would be to treat possible infection. If the tank humidity is too low could this dry out nasal membranes and cause a dry wheeze? I have not treated URI in snakes before so please excuse my beginner questions.

The temps of the basking spot could be raised a few degrees to maybe 92. The humidity sounds good. I do not like bed a beast as a substrate for balls. The medication for a URI should be determined by a culture and sensitivity process. And the vet should know the dosage. However if the wheeze is not persistent and the mouth is clear it may not be a URI. Some snakes that have rubbed their faces trying to escape have a whistle that never goes away. Also if there is a piece of shed in its nostril it could be the culprit. However if you do have suspicion that it is a URI I would bring the animal to the vet for the piece of mind.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

Thanks, I've been thinking along the same lines. No facial rub that I can see, but he does push and roam along the glass front quite a bit. Wondered if the terrarium was too small (it is 36x28x21). I wondered about the dry piece from a shed also. Haven't seen anything really obvious. He's not head shy which is great! The last shed was not perfect (he decided to shed during shipping). I know we'd need a culture and sensitivity test first before selecting an antibiotic, I was just trying to educate myself for something the vet might prescribe. We all know some vets are Baytril-happy. I am not overly worried at this point but as we live in a small remote bush town in AK a trip to the vet means a hour by air taxi (plus $120 if I go with him). For this reason I keep sterile Culturettes around so i can send a sample in to the vet. I got them for my birds. Do you know if the same would work for snakes? How should I take samples? He's a rescue but has turned out to be a really beautiful nice animal.

Daytime temp's: 84-92f
Nighttime temp's: 78-84f
Basking temp: 90-92f
Humidity: 60-80%