Mouth Breathing

ToKigg · #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2010, 07:31 AM

Hi, I have a Boa Constrictor Imperator, who for the last six months, has been mouth breathing. Most of the time he breaths just fine but once in a while he'll open his mouth to take a breath and kind of gasps. There are no other signs of a respiratory infection and it hasn't improved or gotten any worse. He's responsive, eats well, sheds well, and has regular bowel movements. The temps are in upper 80's and he has a humidity box. He is on aspen bedding with peat moss in his humidity box. He eats in a separate container with no bedding. Is there such a thing as a persistent, mild respiratory infection or is it something else?

AGActaeonia · #2 (**permalink**) 01-03-2010, 07:48 AM

I've never heard of a respiratory infection lasting as long as you've described without working itself out or worsening.

Is your aspen-bedding dusty? Wring it out a fair bit before its application. When he's in blue, ensure that his humidity is raised to between 60-70%. I sometimes find that before and even after shed, some Boas will breathe open-mouthed because their nostrils are covered over by the releasing outer skin and can sometimes be retained without being easily noticed.

mongoose5971 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-03-2010, 02:33 PM

Honestly I would take him to a vet. A good reptile vet. Maybe even write to Veterinarium Q&A at Reptiles Magazine. It could be stomatitis (mouth rot,) an infection/abcess, or any other number of thing. It could also be, similar to what AGA said, a piece of shed stuck in his nostril. Usually if this happens you will hear whistling or weezing. Take some pictures if possible and also check the color of his gums. They should be dull pink, smooth, and without excess slime or any other buildup and you should just barely be able to see his teeth.

AGActaeonia · #4 (**permalink**) 01-03-2010, 07:13 PM

If it were completely retained shed on the nostril, one would see more open-mouthed breathing than hear whistling and wheezing. Whistling and wheezing is caused by air being forced through a crack in the retained dermis, if there is no crack, you'll see many more open-mouthed displays.

As for stomatitis, I refer to that possibility the same as I do a respiratory infection. A six-month bout of mouth-rot? Unnoticed? Talk about an angel on that snake's shoulder...

Do as Mongoose suggests and check the snake's mouth. If you notice crust at the corners of the mouth, dried blood or white mucus caked about the gum, or your snake's mouth is unable to close properly or looks swollen, you've got a case of mouth-rot.

Another possibility - and I'm unsure whether you referred to this or not - is that it could be a defensive display. I presume the snake only does it while you're around, and if so, perhaps he wishes you would leave him alone?

Hard to say. If at all possible, provide pictures. If nothing is visibly amiss, you can take him to a vet, but if there turns out to be nothing wrong whatsoever and you're stuck with a $100+ bill for nothing more than a check-up, don't get too bent out of shape about it. At least you know you're snake's all right and can be wiser to some other disorders' symptoms, should they ever appear in the future.

John_White · #5 (**permalink**) 01-03-2010, 07:53 PM

Is it possible that the snake is just aligning its jaws?

ToKigg · #6 (**permalink**) 01-04-2010, 07:17 AM

First, I would like to say thanks to everyone for taking their time to help me with this.

I brought him out to the brightest light I have to check the things you guys have listed for me. His mouth appears to be fine, light pink gums, no mucus/blood, and clear bright eyes.

As for him realigning his jaws, that is sort of what it looks like but he takes a deep breath when he does it. There is no wheezing or congested sound to this.

He is a very sweet snake that seems to like being interacted with, and does everything he can to avoid being put back in his home when were done hanging out. So I don't think it's an aggressive display.

The one strange thing I did notice is that upon close inspection under the light there seems to be what looks like a slightly recessed cap over both his nostrils with a small slit in the center.
Its black and hard to see but it seems to be similar to what you described.
I looked at close ups of others online and their nostrils are holes and look like what you would expect a nostril to look like, as opposed to what I'm seeing.

I tried to take a pic with my phone but its too blurry, and my digital camera is currently unavailable but I will try to get a clearer picture when I can.

Could this be the problem, and if so, is it something that needs to be handled by a vet? The nearest vet that does reptiles is 2 hours away so if this is something that can be handled at home, that is the route I would like to take.

I appreciate your help.

AGActaeonia · #7 (**permalink**) 01-04-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToKigg

Could this be the problem, and if so, is it something that needs to be handled by a vet?

I should think so. Is a prime example of what I first described.

Raise the humidity to 60%. Despite the rise, it will mostly likely only disappear with the next shed.

HERPHAPPY · #8 (**permalink**) 01-04-2010, 08:02 AM

If you want to convince your snake that you've lost your marbles, just try gently plucking the old un-shed skin plug out of their nostrils with a tiny tweezer...(been there, lol...) helps to raise humidity and moisten their face first...mine came right out easily, and the improvement was immediate. (and the snake seemed more comfortable...)

mongoose5971 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-04-2010, 02:28 PM

If you can get the piece moist enough you can try picking it off, but if it doesn't come off just leave it and address it the next time he sheds. I've seen this result in removing the actual scales beneath if the shed is stuck hard enough. If you have a good pet store close by there is a product by R-Zilla called Shed-Ease that actually works quite well if it continues to be stubborn during the next shed. If you allow it to build up it can eventually get infected, disfigure the snake's nose and continue to cause the open mouth breathing. Since you stated that this has been going on for such a long time you might already have buildup and may need to take him to a vet. If possible, get us some good macro pics.

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