Spotted Python - faint whistle?

[Hannahmania]

I have had my spotted python for 3.5 weeks now.

I had her out earlier today, and noticed a faint whistle sound when she breathed, not constantly, but every now and then. It was a dry sound, not moist, no sign of discharge or mucus or anything. She ate happily 2 days ago, seems otherwise normal.

If anything her humidity was a bit low... I know she had water yesterday when I checked on her, but her water bowl was dry today. I normally change it every couple of days, but last time I changed it I only half-filled it, and it has been a busy week. But yeah - excess humidity wasn't an issue.

She hasn't shed since I had her, so I am wondering if this could be something to do with a pending shed?

I am guessing that I am going to somehow need to find the money to get her to the vet.

Does anyone know an affordable vet that treats reptiles in north-east Melbourne?

And just when I finished treating the mites. Here was me thinking a snake was a nice low maintenance pet!

 

[notechistiger]

No need to run off to the vet yet. If there's nothing other then a little whistle, odds are it's just from an upcoming shed.

 

[Hannahmania]

Is it safe to leave it? I was kinda hoping that is all it is, but I have my daughters birthday tomorrow, and a number of kids coming over on Friday night (who are really excited to meet Hannah's families new pet snake). I am scared that if I leave it, given my general lack of experience with keeping snakes, I am going to miss some sign, and just randomly find her dead. :?

 

[notechistiger]

If it's just from an upcoming shed, then it will stop once she's shed. If you're worried, I would bump up the heat a little, just in case. The why you've described it though makes me think it's not an RI. Definitely keep an eye on her

 

[Hannahmania]

Thank you. That makes me feel a bit better. She has been a little skitty the last couple of days... I haven't noticed any obvious clouding of her eyes... but I don't really know what I am looking for.

 

[sharky]

When my spotted sheds her eyes don't go noticeably cloudy until like 5mins before she sheds. All her head are 100% healthy aswell. Just look for darkening/dulling of her scales. The black blotches will almost be blue and the colour will be noticeably darker, duller or lighter. I have a really light spotty so she goes really dark when she sheds and her blotches go literally blue!!! Also her skin will wrinkle when her body curves and her skin becomes really soft because of the oils being released.
It's okay to handle them if they are coming up for shed. Just don't disturb them when they are shedding

 

[Hannahmania]

I just thought I would quickly update, in case anyone else was facing this problem...

In the last day or so the whistle sound seems to have cleared up. I just had her out a minute ago to check on her, and she is definitely getting ready to shed. Her markings have gone really dull, and her eyes are looking kinda cloudy - Looking at her I suspect she will probably shed in the next day or so. Very relieved!!!

Thankfully she waited until the day after my daughters party to do the whole cloudy thing - she was very popular amongst the kids! (she was kept in my sons room, and I was only taking one or two in at a time to meet/hold her, much to their disgust... lol)

Thank you so much for the replies! A trip to the vet was both a cost and a stress I really didn't need this week! I really appreciate the responses!

 

[notechistiger]

Good to hear