Is My Corn Snake Sick?

CJoys

Arachnopeon
Joined
Sep 3, 2016
Messages
6
So I got my corn snake Feb. 20 of last year. So far he has been eating good until now. He has turned down a mouse, ate one, killed but didn't eat, and then completely ignored another over the course of 2 1/2 weeks. This isn't the thing I worry most about though. At night as he is taking is laps in the 20 gal terrarium I occasionally hear what sounds like sneezing, and when I hold his head up to my ear I can hear wheezing. Can anyone shed any light on what's going on? There isn't any bubbling and mucus but should I rule out ri? The bedding is zoo med aspen shaving.
 

Mila

Arachnoknight
Joined
May 7, 2017
Messages
169
I'd take your snake to a vet. Wheezing is generally caused by fluid in the lungs and snakes cannot cough so it becomes dangerous very quickly. Does your snake look like it has a runny nose?

Edit: when did your snake last moult? Moulting can cause a wheezing sound due to the loose skin in nostril
 

Xafron

Arachnosquire
Joined
Apr 5, 2017
Messages
82
Sounds like it could be a respiratory infection. I recently lost a pet to this even after taking it to the vet... I would find a vet that looks at reptiles and have them check it out.
 

houston

Arachnopeon
Joined
Feb 18, 2017
Messages
39
^^
Wheezing and whistling are usually upper respiratory infections. These can quickly become fatal in a snake due to their rather primitive respiratory system. I'd double check husbandry and take it to a vet asap
 

CJoys

Arachnopeon
Joined
Sep 3, 2016
Messages
6
Mila- He shed not too long ago, maybe mid April. There is no runny fluid and bubbles around the nose or mouth inside and out. The wheezing can only be heard when he is by your ear, maybe an inch, and it is every exhale. There is no open mouth breathing. The "sneezing" can be heard from a couple of feet away and is a short but sharp puff of air. I am going to get him to the vet though. Also, he is acting normal and is drinking and going around the cage.

EDIT: His colors are going dull too because he is about to shed. Maybe I am pumping too many mice into him because he has been shedding alot lately, which could point to the loose skin.
 
Last edited:

basin79

ArachnoGod
Active Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2013
Messages
5,893
VET. Don't play about just get him to a specialist reptile vet.

I lost my beautiful blood python due to an RI even though I'd took her to a vet and she was antibiotics.

She wasn't that bad when I took her as I just heard a little wheeze . The topical antibiotics didn't work and by the time the swab off her came back and they'd give me specific medication it was too late and she died.

RI's can be successfully treated but they also can be fatal.

For the sake of the snake get her seen asap.

Better to be told it's nothing now than lose her in a few weeks. I took one of my retics to the vet as I'd become quite paranoid regarding RI's. Turned out to be nothing but it was worth the £40 for the vet to check.
 

Mila

Arachnoknight
Joined
May 7, 2017
Messages
169
He's saying she's coming up to a moult soon. I'd take the snake to the vet regardless but good chance he's just got loose skin it it's nose.

Try bathing him in warm (shouldn't hurt or cause tingling in your hand) water for an hour or two everyday and see if that helps.
 

CJoys

Arachnopeon
Joined
Sep 3, 2016
Messages
6
Thanks to all who replied. I am going to take him to the vet at the very latest Sunday. I'm really hoping it isn't ri, but I am not going to risk it. I'll give an update when I figure out what's going on.
 

CJoys

Arachnopeon
Joined
Sep 3, 2016
Messages
6
So I got an appointment for friday, and it turns out all he needed was a bath to get the loose skin off his nose. It was a $100 vet visit, but better safe than sorry. Thanks to all who replied.
 

dragonfire1577

Arachnodemon
Joined
Oct 7, 2015
Messages
697
Doesn't look like stargazing, just a snake looking around. Also make sure your heat source is monitored with a thermostat too if it isn't already to avoid any issues in the future with RI's or burns. Happy he was ok.
 
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