Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I have a Colombian Boa about 3 1/2 feet. She eats well and doesn't have one mean bone in her body. When I take her out, I hear her making this popping/bubbling noise when she exhales (could be when she inhales I am not sure). It is only a noise, there is not any visible signs. I was wondering if she has a respiratory disease. I have read about respiratory disease in snakes and it said that you will see bubbles/foam come out of the mouth if it has this disease. I do not see any of that. Can anyone please tell me if she has it, and if so how can I treat it?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like an RI to me. The fact that you haven't seen bubbles yet, just means the infection hasn't gotten that far along. Take her to a VET NOW and get it cleared up before it gets any worse. Also, check your temps. They may be too cool for her. Something caused this and you need to correct it for her to stay well after treatment.

Good Luck!
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Linda Hedgpeth
lindafh@frontiernet.net
Sierra Serpents

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"

Linda is right, a vet visit is probably in order. However, sometimes you will hear sounds like this right before they go into shed. If it looks like it is about to turn blue, that might be the problem.

Matt

I think that the preceding advice was so good, that I can't add much. If you feel too poor to go to the vet for a small issue, just make sure you're temps are within acceptable ranges, and don't be shy to ask if you don't know what they are. I have had minor Repiratory Infections clear up in a day or two just by raising the ambient temperature in the room (or cage) to 85f, and having a hot spot available up to about 93-94f. Monitor her as often as possible, and if there is any worsening, real or imagined take her to the vet, even if you are too poor. If it was your health at risk, you'd do the same. I am sure you care about this animal enough to do the right thing.
Make sure to find a vet who is a specialist in, or at least knows reptiles. My experience is that the office will tell you that the doctor is an expert in anything you ask about. ("Sure, he knows all about the reproductive husbandry of the Bruneau Hot Springs Snail!" Look for an outside source of information on a good reptile vet.

In all actuality, a trip to the vet would be best.
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Jeremy J. Anderson
snakepimp.com
email me!
No one in the world ever gets what they want, and that is beautiful. Everybody dies frustrated and sad, and that is beautiful.

Ooops, thanks! I forgot about that. It must be the weather change here, but this fall some of my boas have had some shed cycles that seemed harder on them than usual. We have had some early cold fronts this season. All other factors were the same.......except the outside weather, so I guess that is the culprit. I heard some noises with a couple of them and started to worry, until I realized they were having a "harder than normal" shed. Once they shed, everything was fine with them.
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Linda Hedgpeth
lindafh@frontiernet.net
Sierra Serpents

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away"