It sounds like my boa is wheezing

Jadee22 · #1 09-03-2007, 12:55 AM

Male red tail about 6.5ft long... ever since I've had him (only a few months) he seemed to be a heavy breather but now it's really loud and almost sounds like wheezing... is this anything to be concerned about?
And also, is there a good book on just about everything i should know about red tail boas? I don't feel i know nearly enough and want to make sure I'm doing the best I can for these two.
Thanks! This forum has been a lot of help to me so far!

Jadee

HavocovaH · #2 09-03-2007, 01:18 AM

Sounds like a possible RI. Have you noticed any other symptons that might validate that?

razeraze · #3 09-03-2007, 11:46 PM

There are a ton of great books out there. I really like the one by Mark Bayless and Ben Aller, though I can not remember the name. Just type in amazon.com red tail(ed) boa books.

As far as wheezing it could be a RI or it could be nothing. Do you notice any fluid from the mouth or nostrils? what are the temps?

Draggon · #4 09-09-2007, 06:13 PM

Most likely weezing is caused by a respiratory infection. Best bet is to make sure the temps are right and to be on the safe side, I would take him to a vet. Better safe than sorry. Good luck! Hope things work out

HavocovaH · #5 09-09-2007, 06:20 PM

If it's a raspy wheezing and it's fairly consistent with his breathing then it's more likely to be an RI. If it's simply a puff or sharp exhale every once in a while then I think that's fairly normal.

But I'm no expert. Best of luck with figuring out what the cause is and I hope it's nothing.

richardduckworth · #6 09-09-2007, 07:09 PM

you can get your temps up to around 90-95 with nowhere in the cage below 85. nothing wrong with giving it a basking spot of 100-105 for a while as long as it has the above-mentioned 85 degree spot to retreat to.

warmer temps will usually dry them up and certainly won't harm a healthy one. leave a normal sized or small water bowl in there just to drink from and maybe plan a trip to the vet.

sometimes, antibiotics are necessary but the average vet won't know anymore about snakes than you do. if you find a vet, make sure it's one with regular experience with snakes.

but a warmer environment may get him over the hump. you NEVER want those temps to drop or be below 85 for a while. check the night time temps especially.

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