Python Wheezing

[ozziepythons]

I have a 4 year old male Murray Darling who makes wheezing sounds when I take him out of the cage and pick him up. My female also does this (they produced a clutch this season), as did another male that was in my possession. None of my other pythons do this, and have never kept any that have before. Are they just letting out exited hisses, or is their potentially some respiratory problem? I keep them in dry conditions, with access to water bowls. Anyone with experience and informed insight welcome to comment. I will be taking him to a top dollar, snake specialist vet (whom I know) for a prognosis, but want some APS keepers advice.

 

[morgs202]

Check around the nose and mouth for any form of discharge. I've seen snakes that have been wheezing and upon closer inspection had one nostril totally blocked with dried mucus. Check all this out, but yeah, get it looked at by your vet

 

[Justdriftnby]

I cannot say for sure that it isnt a respirtry problem but I have 2 pairs and they both hiss which more often than not sounds like a weezing sound but only when they are out on my shoulders, put them on the floor or couch and it stops, I am begining to believe its a trait they have (mine anyway) Hope this is of some help, my oldest male I have had for 16 years and its always been that way

 

[JrFear]

i have the same problem with my Murray darling! its unusual!

 

[ozziepythons]

It seems like some of you have them same experience, it does seem to be a sound like air being expelled due to excitement, as they are a little nervous when I interact with them. Its weird that only my murrays do it. All the same, they are placid as puppies and never bite or attempt to flee, they just get excited at being out of their cages. Lets see what the vet thinks. Anyone else have a similar scenario?

 

[eamonn]

I cannot say for sure that it isnt a respirtry problem but I have 2 pairs and they both hiss which more often than not sounds like a weezing sound but only when they are out on my shoulders, put them on the floor or couch and it stops, I am begining to believe its a trait they have (mine anyway) Hope this is of some help, my oldest male I have had for 16 years and its always been that way

I have a pair of coastals that do the exact same thing. There fine in there enclosure but as soon as i got to pic them up and place the around my shoulder the hissing wheezing sounds start. As soon as there put down it stops. It is probably best to get it checked out by a vet. Better safe then sorry.

Eamonn

 

[ozziepythons]

Yep sounds like mine too, and glad to know others have their pythons do the same. I was starting to think I'd overlooked some horrible lung disease. But mine does wheeze a little when allowed free movement around the floor, which none of you guys seem to have, just when they are being held. Its hard to imagine it being an infection, as the only respiratory problems I know of are caused by damp, humid conditions (I have dry cages) and my collection is closed to infection from OPMV and IBD. They are very healthy by all means.

 

[bfg23]

What snake specialist vet are you going to see?
My big bredli girl does this when she is out for pro-longed periods of time, but she is still eating pooing and shedding fine so I am not too fussed..
But let us know the outcome from the vet prognosis anyway, as with almost identical symptoms, you could be saving all of us from a trip to the vet.

 

[nabu120]

yea my male darwin does the same, he seems healthy n fine, only does it when i handle him too, i was worried for a while but he hasnt changed in 1.5 years, and noticed a few threads on here but never really saw an answer, i would be really interested to see what your vet says, keeps us posted. cheers

 

[JrFear]

Hey All
I was speaking to my friend the other day about the wheezing! and he said it wasnt good!
he told me his 2 jungles were doing it and he was a bit worried so he took them to reptile vet David Vella! David said it was most probable a respiratory problem and that it should be treated otherwise your snake could die! David gave him anti biotics which he has to inject into his snakes for about a week! Im going to see how that goes and see how his snakes are after the week! Anyways when i can afford it im going to run my Murray Darling up to David and explain the situation and get his view on it al! Ill let you know how it goes but i suggest getting them cheeked just in case no one wants there pets to passss
Thanks Jesse!

 

[Lene]

wheezing is a common symptom for respiratory infections, but is also coupled with mucus discharge at the mouth and nose, and restless behaviour.
the breathing sound can be normal. snakes have a U shaped wind pipe, that has a slightly corrugated inside edge (as opposed to mammals that have a smooth O). this is to allow the collapse or expansion of the windpipe when feeding. the corrugations are what cause the 'wheezing' sound when air rushes through with breathing. it could be due to excitement, nerves or when the snake is coming up to a shed. like i said, can be completely normal
to make yourself feel comfortable, ask your vet when you get a full health check for you MD.