Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found this information on a site....

"Some reptiles may exhibit signs of respiratory infection as a signal to you that they have been handled enough or want (or need) to be put down. My female Burmese python would start dripping saliva from her mouth in copious amounts when she'd decided she had had enough out and handling time at education events. When I saw the saliva start oozing from her mouth, I knew I needed to put her away off exhibit immediately. (An interesting note: my male Burmese would erect his anal spurs, digging them into my arm, when he was tired.)"

Could this be the case in kingsnakes if after about 10-15 minutes of handling it makes small clicking noises, or is that a sure sign of a RI? Thanks for your time.

I'd say take that info with a BIG grain of salt.
terry

>>I found this information on a site....
>>
>>"Some reptiles may exhibit signs of respiratory infection as a signal to you that they have been handled enough or want (or need) to be put down. My female Burmese python would start dripping saliva from her mouth in copious amounts when she'd decided she had had enough out and handling time at education events. When I saw the saliva start oozing from her mouth, I knew I needed to put her away off exhibit immediately. (An interesting note: my male Burmese would erect his anal spurs, digging them into my arm, when he was tired.)"
>>
>>Could this be the case in kingsnakes if after about 10-15 minutes of handling it makes small clicking noises, or is that a sure sign of a RI? Thanks for your time.

thats interesting w/the burms ive never had that happen and i to have lg.boids as well for educational shows i know in boids that mucus from the nose&mouth is a sure sign of RI,but saliva??.on the kings RI and clicking i dont beleive that would be RI as its very difficult for na colubrids to get a RI it is possible but unlikely,if the "clicking" continues id have a vet give it a once over,,,,,,,,good luck,,,,,,,thomas

I've had the clicking sound before, twice with corns and I was worried too. Each time as I found out and asked questions like you, I learned it was from not a complete shed and some little part of the old skin still attached around the nostril area. After the next shed it went away. Hope that helps in your case.
Happy Herping,
Uncloudy

I have noticed this quite often myself in perfectly healthy animals and I have pinpointed it to just prior to shed. Can't explain it yet, but it could possibly be a slight inflamation due to the process which may restrict normal breathing? Once my animals shed out, all is well.

I've got a female Cal king who likes to get up around the back of my neck. She will stay there for hours...I've never heard any noise...she just seems to enjoy it...Helane

Thanks so much to you all. Your answers take a load off of my mind. The snake I was worried about was treated twice for an RI (with Baytril), so naturally any noise got me paranoid I'd have to do it again. I did notice this noise right before a shed, and was wondering if possibly a flake of skin over the nostrils was to blame. After that shed, I have held him twice and haven't heard the noise since. If anything does go wrong though, I'll be sure to come right back here and ask you all what to do. One more thing, I know reptiles can get an RI from poor ventalation, drafts, improper temperatures, wrong beddings and such, but can anyone think of anything else to be aware of that can cause problems? Thanks again, very much.