blowing water out of nostrils??

[patoquack]

I recenlty purchased a new boa and I noticed it was in blue phase when I received it. I also noticed it was making a wheezing sound after being submerged in water.. I also noticed some bubbles coming out of her mouth a few times..

I was really worried, but was kinda hoping she was just having trouble breathing due to the oncoming shed. Well, she did shed a few days later but is still making a slight wheezing sound after submerging herself in her waterbowl although much less than before the shed..

Is this OK?? I have other boas and never noticed this before..
I'm concerned that the boa may have a slight respiratory problem and am trying to decide if I should return her to the breeder.. I had a vet check her out and he didn't seem to see any obvious signs of concern.. although I'm not completely sure he has had a lot of experience with snakes.

any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
thanks

[oOSpOOkYOo]

you keep saying that she does it after she submerges her head, she's most likely just breathing in a bit of water and then spewing it back out. Just make sure that it is in fact water and no any sort of mucus. -sTEVE

[patoquack]

Thanks for replying Steve!..

So if it seems to be just water there is no problem? Is it unusual but ok for this to happen? just a bit of a poor breather then?

It does seem to be just water. When the vet checked her out she (the boa) seemed really clean inside her mouth.. and overall she looks really healthy now that she had her shed. I'd really rather not have to ship her back to the person I bought her from but I was also afraid of getting a sick snake.

thanks again

[oOSpOOkYOo]

I have had boas when the first time, an albino burm did this once too, it was their first bath in a tub ever, and they really didnt get the concept of breathing and water. When they went in they kept exhaling underwater, it sounded so funny! They would cruise and blow bubbles like lil motor boats. But anyways, they would always come up with water in their nose and mouth, they just spit it out. Just make sure it is water, and not any type of discoloration, or mucus, as for the breathing, if it is an RI or maybe mucus build up, slowly decerease the humidity for a couple weeks and that may dry up some of those booger, but make sure their not about to shed anytime soon. -sTEVE

[Panama_Red]

The real question here is does the boa make these noises when it's not in the water? And have you seen the boa hanging out with its head proped up on somthing all the time? Boas with respatory infections have a hard time breathing with their head sitting flat, and won't always blow bubles or have a visibly plugged nose.

[patoquack]

Thanks for the response Steve..

I will keep a close eye for any suspicious looking liquid, but I'm pretty sure it was just water. prior to shedding, the snake looked and sounded a lot worse.. I'm guessing the loose skin that was getting ready to shed was making her breathing more labored? once she had her shed, she still made some noise after being submerged but much less than prior to the shed. Since she just recently had a shed, I will definitely keep her on the dry side for a few weeks.. Maybe just offer her a water bowl a every couple of days or so?.. would that seem OK?

[patoquack]

Panama Red. thanks for the response!
I will watch for this behavior. Even though I'm trying to keep on the positive side and think that the boa is just breathing out water, I will definitely take some preventative measures for possible RI..

I was concerned about keeping the snake even though she is het for albino and I was having a hard time getting a female het to go with my nice male het I got from Canopy Creations.. To be totally honest.. I found three mites on her within two days of having her, so the suspicious wheezing sounds and fluid coming from her mouth really made me concerned. After her shed though she appeared quite a bit healthier - nice body tone and irridescent glow to her. She was also an eager eater when I offered her a small meal following her shed..

I have decied to keep her at this point and will just give her some extra TLC in case she needs it.