Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was checking out a large colombian boa the other day, and i noticed that it was breathing heavily, making kind of a wheezing sound. i was told by the breeder that this is normal in large snakes and does not necessarily mean that it has a respiratory infection, but i had always been under the impresion that that was what it meant. does anyone know for sure if this is normal, or if it definately means that the snake has an infection? i'd like to know because i'm trying to decide if i want to get the snake or not. thanks for any replies...

I wouldn't rule out getting it, but, I would take it to the vet. right away! (My large boas don't weeze)

is its throat swollen? Look in its mouth and see if there is mucus if so then its RI or some sort of bacteria infection. Also was it in shed or nearing a shed, some of my dumerils will do that while in shed, no ri just the the skin around the openings hangs lose and ,akes that sorta popping noise when they breath, its also possible that the animal may have soime psrta scare tissue in there that is causing it to sound a little funny when it breaths, I have seen animals that did breath "funny" even though they were perfectly healthy, How ever as the other poster said I would take it to the vet riht away to be sure also I would quarintine it as well for atleast 60days, espesially at shows its easy for someone to pass off a sick animal as healthy because all the excitment theyll normally swallow the mucus and what not that helps shows signs of sickness and act totally nomral till ya get them home and a day or two later its obvious, anyway hope this helps thanks Jason
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