OT: Snakes n' Fishes (Brian)...have ?s 4 U

[polarpooch]

Brian,
I updated my photography post of my ball python, but I'm not sure you'll see it--so I'm posting here, too.
Anyway, here's my question: my snake is sort of wheezing. He sounds like he is lightly "whistling" through his nose. Why might my snake be wheezing? Can he catch cold? Could it be a parasite? I looked for ticks--I can't see any.
Should I be worried, or is this normal?
BTW, he's about 22-24 inches long, but not that thick. When he curls up, he fits in both my hands. How old do you think he is?
(I got him at a petstore, so of course, I'm a little worried. I don't know any breeders in the city and we don't have a reptile-only store here. I've looiked online, but can't finding anything about ball pythons (or pythons in general) wheezing or whistling.)

 

[michelle13]

I know I'm not who the post was intended for, but thought maybe I could help. It sounds like your ball might have a respiratory infection. I would take it to a vet in your area that will see reptiles. A good place to gain information on all types of snakes is kingsnake.com. I don't know anything about age. I know my ball is 3 years old and is about 33-35 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Hope I helped some?!? Good Luck!!

 

[polarpooch]

It sounds like your ball might have a respiratory infection.
Oh no. I hope not. Do they have things for that? I'll call my dog's vet tomorrow, and see if she can recommend someone for me. Thanks!

 

[jferrier]

Is it a whistling sound from the nostrils or a wheeze from within the snake? Sometimes if skin or other gunk covers a large portion of the nostrils you'll hear a whistling sound from air passing thru such a small hole. However, if its a deep wheeze from within it could be a respitory infection. That could be really bad. Especially with ball pythons which are notorious for starving themselves once something goes wrong. Has the snake been exposed to temps or cold drafts outside its normal range? I'm not sure what a vet could do, but with snakes its really hard to get them well again.

 

[polarpooch]

I would say it doesn't sound like a deep wheeze, more like a whistling sound.
His temp is about 74 at night, around 78-80 during the day...which is what my book said was a good range. He also has a heat rock he sleeps on at night.
Should I try wiping his nostrils? Would I just use a damp cloth?

 

[jferrier]

That should be ok. If its skin from a recent shed their are products at petstores that can help with that. I'd still take it to a vet, if it continues, but maybe its something minor like that. Just out of curiousity is your snake wild caught or captive bred?
Ball pythons, especially wild ones, sometimes will refuse to eat for very long periods of time and generally arrive to the staes in very poor condition. They are sold for a third of the price, but such a risk, and are harvested irresponsibly.

 

[marvida]

I agree with jferrier. I do however think you need to warm it up a bit. For a while you might lose the day/night difference for a while & bump up the temp to the mid to high 80's. Make sure you keep a gradient for it both covered & uncovered. If it's not eating, don't worry about that too much, it's not unusal for them to stop eating during the Winter. If it doesn't clear up within a day or so get it to a vet. Upper respiratory infections in reptiles are serious & not too uncommon. Keep it warm & dry. Speaking of dry, what type of bedding do you have it in? Cedar, for instance is toxic to snakes & the symptoms are similar to what you describe. As far as age, a snake's growth rate varies depending on how well it's fed. I've only had rescued ball pythons so I've never raised a neonate. If the growth rate is simlilar to the pythons I have raised, I would guess your snake to be 1-2 years old. It should reach it's full size of 3.5 to 4.5 feet at 3-4 years. They are great little pythons!
Good Luck!
Ken

 

[michelle13]

just a side note. You mentioned a heat rock? Heat rocks are not a good choice for snakes as they will get burned on them. I copied this from kingsnake.com:
Heat can be safely provided in a few different ways, either a heat mat,× and/or a clip type lamp with an aluminum reflector. AVOID "Hot Rocks!!!" Hot Rocks provide a centralized heat that will not adequately heat the enclosure, and they will burn your snake if it lays against it. It's not advisable to allow your snakes to come into direct contact with any heat source. I like to use clip lamps on a timer, to provide both a warm basking spot (~90F), and give the snake(s) a photo period (Since Ball Pythons are nocturnal, Ultra Violet light is not needed). I addition to the lamp, I use heat mats all day every day to provide belly heat of about 82-85 degrees F on the warm side of the tank. Heat pads and lamps usually don't have a way of adjusting heat output. With lamps you can use different wattages of bulb (40-60 watt is usually about right). All my heat pads, and some of my lamps, have snap on lamp dimmers which cost about $4 at the hardware store. They are not as good as thermostats, but at least give you a high/low/off adjustment. Another alternative to a clip lamp would be to use a ceramic heat element, which is basically a ceramic bulb that gives off heat and no light.

 

[lesleybird]

Am I on the wrong website? What do snakes and saltwater fish have in common? Just kidding! Looks like you need to find yourself a good snake doctor! Lesley

 

[marvida]

I missed the heat rock!
Lose the heat rock. There are some under tank heaters that when used with a rheostat work well. My preference is a ceramic heater in a fixture sitting above the animal. Making sure that the snake cannot touch the heater. Any heat source you use will need to be adjustable. Dimmer switches work well.

 

[polarpooch]

Thank you all for all the advice. I do have the heat rock covered in coconut bark chips to avoid burns, but I think I will get the under-tank heat mat--it seems more efficient anyway.
I also have a heat lamp on that I am worried about leaving on during the day, because of the fire risk (the lamp gets pretty hot). It sits directly on top of the mesh tank lid (I don't trust the clamps). It is made for lizards, has a ceramic fixture and I have a 60w red bulb in it.
He was still whistling tonight, but not as much. I am hoping that it is stuff caught in his nostrils.
I don't know if it was wild or captive bred. The kid at the store didn't know much about them, according to my boyfriend. He was $75. I don't know how it compares to other prices, as I've never priced a python before. My boyfriend has had many snakes before. He says he hasn't had a ball python since he was a kid, though...so his memory on them is a little fuzzy.
Again, thank you all for all the advice. I didn't realize there were so many snake people posting here...but snakes do seem to go together with fish!
PS-- I logged onto Kingsnake.com and will post there as well.

 

[michelle13]

Great! They have a ton of excellent information and the people are very knowledgeable! Hope you snake gets to feeling better!

 

[snakes'n'fish]

I knew there where other snake people here I agree with everything everyone else said. At night he is cooling off to much 76 to 78 would be ok but nothing cooler. I would also increase the temp of the cage to 85 or so to help him out with this. The higher temps will help with the RI. If it doesn't clear up take him to a vet ASAP. MarVida is right, if not treated it can cause serious problems.
I have used the clamp lights and I know alot of people who do, I have never had a problem. I would leave the light on 24/7, just make sure the ceramic end is not touching anything.
A note on heat rock and under tank heaters: They only create a warm spot but really do nothing for the air temp. It would be like you sitting on a heating pad out side in the cold. You rear end is going to be nice and toasty but the rest of you is going to be cold.
Personally I have found that the best substrate for snakes and alot of different lizards is aspen. It tends to be cheaper that coconut bark, reti-bark and the crushed walnut shell. It is digestible if they swallow it and one bundle lasts longer that any of the others. Balls like to burrow so they like things like aspen. I personally like the stuff.
If you need anymore help feel free to drop me an email : snakekpr@neb.rr.com. But everyone before me pretty much answered all the questions. BTW hoiw big of tank do you have him in ? I would also guess him at a a year and a half or so in age. $75 for a ball around here anyway is a good price.
HTH
Brian

 

[michelle13]

Hey Brian, I was just wondering if you ever used astro turf for substrate? I have used it since I got my ball 3 years ago with no problems. I know she can't bury under it, but I have three hides for her to use. I really like it because I can just take it out, put another in, and wash the dirty one. My tank is pretty big (55gal) so having to buy substrate would break me!!

 

[marvida]

The last ball I rescued had been on/under astroturf for two years. Like Snakes said they like to burrow. The astroturf is very abrasive on the underside & this snake had some serious scars from it. The other problem is that it's a pain to sanitize.
Sorry for butting in but I wanted to share that experience. Aspen is the best way to go if at all possible.
Ken

 

[polarpooch]

Wow you guys! I think like SWF, one should not assume anyone at a pet store knows anything about reptiles, either.
Thank you thank you thank you for not blowing off this thread. I've learned a lot from these posts.
I got a heat mat tonight, and will keep the heat lamp on all day to raise the temp. I can't find Aspen, but found it at an online petstore, so I ordered some.
Still a bit worried about the whistling, but it seems better over the last couple of days.
And Michelle13--great suggestion on the kingsnake.com site. Excellent info there!

 

[snakes'n'fish]

Originally posted by michelle13
Hey Brian, I was just wondering if you ever used astro turf for substrate? I have used it since I got my ball 3 years ago with no problems. I know she can't bury under it, but I have three hides for her to use. I really like it because I can just take it out, put another in, and wash the dirty one. My tank is pretty big (55gal) so having to buy substrate would break me!!
Like MarVida said, it is abrasive. I used astro turf and repti-carpets when I first started, I had a heck of time keeping them clean. If your Ball has three hides he should be fine. Around my part of the country, I can buy a 3000 cubic inch bale of aspen for right around $7. That is good for 2 complete changes of a 4' wide 5' long box I have my baby B&W tegu babies in,(accidental breeding from a pair I was rehabing, had 2 big ended up with 9 eggs now I got 9 little monsters ) So aspen is not that expensive. But that is my personal choice, the the carpet is working for you just make sure it clean.( toss it in the washing machine, wears it out faster, but it is clean.)
-Brian

 

[daniel411]

Brian,
Did you breed the columbian or argentine b & w? They're pretty awesome as long as you handle them enough to keep them tame.

 

[snakes'n'fish]

They are columbian. It was an accident. But I am going to sell off the babies to the pet store I work at for some instore credit ... I guess that means I am going to be buying some new salt water stuff