RI or just shedding?

[Mercurian]

Hi all,
my adult stimmie's skin has gone all pre-shed and he's been hiding in his hole for 4 or 5 days, which he normally does for about a week before shed.
I had the urge to check on him tonight though and when i got him out his neck seemed a bit puffy. I was worried, but he seemed otherwise fine, was curious and moving well with normal muscle tension. I turned the temps up a little as the weather has been cool here for the last few days.
I decided to call the vet in the morning, but I kept an eye on him and within half an hour his neck was back to normal, but I saw him yawn twice. I'm just trying to figure out if he needs to go to the vet or if i'm just being paranoid. I've heard that some snakes yawn when they're coming up to shed and maybe i've just never noticed because he hides away during that time. But then, i'm worried about the neck thing and that maybe he's showing early signs of an RI. He's never been sick before, so I don't really know how to tell. Any advice?

 

[AllThingsReptile]

if you are really that worried, call the vet, its your pet and no-one on the internet is gonna know whats best for you or your snake, thats purely your choice

no-body is a magical internet vet, they cant really off the top of the head go "oh your snake has RI"

 

[Bonustokin]

All sounds normal before a shed mate. Even the neck thing. Should be fine.
Good on ya for observing closely though.

 

[AllThingsReptile]

but yeh, if he normally does this, chances are, he's normal

 

[Mercurian]

if you are really that worried, call the vet, its your pet and no-one on the internet is gonna know whats best for you or your snake, thats purely your choice

no-body is a magical internet vet, they cant really off the top of the head go "oh your snake has RI"

Precisely the reason I asked for advice and not a diagnosis.

Thanks for the input guys. I'll see how he is in the morning.

 

[Asharee133]

my guys always get chin flab coming up for a shed nothin to worry about.

 

[GeckoJosh]

Unless he was making unusual noises when he breaths I would not be concerned about RI

 

[Mercurian]

I think I'm just being paranoid... I'm gonna leave him be and if he starts to breathe funny or blow bubbles i'll call the vet.

thanks everyone.

 

[Mace699]

Hey mate quite often coming up to a shed the fluid that is in between the old slough and the new skin can "pool" for lack of a better word so if hes been hanging around with his head hanging down it can move there. Nothing to worry about by the sounds of things. but just keep an eye on him and if he doesnt shed like normal maybe get him checked on.