whew!

[drache]

yesterday morning I took out Sammy for some hanging out time, and heard this weird sound coming from her
at first I thought there was a cat sleeping next to us, but I was certain I'd put them all in the kitchen, so the sound had to be coming from Sammy
it was just like the sound cats make when they're dreaming, like a low mewing on the exhale
I'd never heard a sound like that coming from a snake, and it freaked me out, coming from my favourite girl in particular, and on a Saturday morning, and knowing there are no rides to PA on the horizon, and yeah, the local vet is okay, but this is Sammy!
on the good side, she was acting completely normal, curious and active while mewing on the exhale, and well - there was an occasional gurgle too
Soooo . . . . I scrubbed down the enclosure and cranked the heat - into the mid-90ies
this morning - no more mewing, just an occasional slight tick sound - so, much better
I wonder how she got this

[ConcinusMan]

Vet and antibiotics ASAP! Respiratory infection. Causes are variable.

[gregmonsta]

I'm glad the increase in temps helped to lesson the symptoms. Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.

[Tyrel26]

I had a red sided once that had a strange noise coming from her when she exhaled as well, it turned out to be a piece of shed skin that got stuck in her nose. It was easy enough to get rid of and as soon as i did the noise stopped; But there is still a possibility that yours has an infection. May wanna get a check up

[MoJo]

I have heard these sounds when snakes are ready to shed. It does not always mean a respiratory infection.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I have heard these sounds when snakes are ready to shed. It does not always mean a respiratory infection.

YES!!! I cannot tell you how many times I've had a snake going into shed that had what I thought was a respiratory problem.... and the moment they shed it miraculously dissapears! If you see symptoms like this and you crank up the heat, they will often go away very quickly. It's not always an infection. If it is, shedding, or cranking up the heat is NOT going to do anything, and you'll find it out very quickly.

[ConcinusMan]

Huh, I've never heard noises like that because of a shed. It's always been someone elses snake and always a fatal respiratory infection. I guess that's why it's important for us all to share our experiences here!

I suppose it is possible that the tight skin, or the expanded blood vessels near the nose right before a shed could cause that sound.

[Tyrel26]

Well in the case of my snakes noise, it was a loose piece of skin in the nose. A persons nose can whistle too when something gets in there, so why not a snake? lol

As I said before, I would take it seriously until I knew exactly what it was.

[ConcinusMan]

Whistle perhaps, but gurgle? I don't know what's going on with that snake but if it is a respiratory infection, to delay medical attention would seal it's fate. Often times before you hear that sound, it's already too late.

[Tyrel26]

I have to agree with Conman (even though one should never listen to a conman lol) a gurgle may be more serious, but its hard to say without actually hearing the snake. If it sounds like fluid rattling i would be concerned.