hiccups

[cj99]

I am a new snake owner. I recieved my Red Tail from a breeder, he is about 8 months old. I have a under-tank heater on the warm side and a UV light on top. About 2 days ago my buddy started (what appears to me) having the hiccups. He will be breathing normally but then his breathing will quicken and he sorta jerks. As I said, I am a new owner and very worried. In addition to this condition he has been aggitated and hissed at me a few times lately. I am worried about the humidity in his house, but I live in very dry New Mexico. Any advice will be much appreciated!!!!!!!

[ClayEnglish]

Re: hiccups

Welcome to the fourm.

Well I have never heard of that symptom. You could however check for signs of respiratory problems..

Is the mouth and surrounding area clean and dry, or is it wet or bubbly.. Do you hear a loud wheexing or popping sound..

Not sure what this one is.. Give us more information such as last feeding, substrate, temps etc and maybe someone will have an idea..

[SnakeDan]

Re: hiccups

Hi C.J.
Do you know how much humidity you have in your enclosure?It needs to be at least 55-65%.
What are your temps?
How has he been eating and how often?
These things are very important to what kind of answers we can give you.
The UV light is not needed for boas just a heat lamp, so people use no lights at all.
As for the hiccups it may just be the hiccups,or the sign of something else like,a respitory inffection.
Have you noticed any odd behavior or anything like bubbles around his nostrills? Or, raspy breathing?
These things would be a sign of a R.I.

Let us know and I am sure someone here will have an answer, or at least a good idea.

Good Luck,
Later,
Dan

[cj99]

Re: hiccups

Sorry for lack of details guys. Ill catch on eventually. I want to start by saying how great this site is and how informative I found it. Thanks a million!!!

I am using indoor carpet for substrate. I just put a gauge in to check the humidity and its between 60 and 65%. As for the temp, the ambient temp, which I take from a few inches above the side I have the heat pad under is about 80 degrees F. Im not sure about the temp of the actual surface. I have the heat pad just under the "medium" setting which is what the breeder told me to leave it at. The thermometer on the cool side reads about 78 degrees. Besides the heat pad, what can I do to raise the temp a little if necessary? There is no bubbles or anything strange on the face of my friend. If I can be more specific, he was resting in my hand and would be breathing normal, then every now and then sort of shudder and breath very quick. Then it would return to normal. It was like a slight "twitch". I may just be paranoid, but I want everything to be perfect. So far my snake's diet has been very regular with no problems. He last ate a week ago. I fed him a large mouse, about 3 inches not counting tail. He has been eating one large mouse once a week. His last shed was 29 Mar 03. I figure he is about due. He is starting to darken a little.

I hope this is enough info. Thanks again for the help!!!!

[SnakeDan]

Re: hiccups

Here is a post that I put on a while backhttp://www.redtailboas.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=board5&action=display&num=10 47867611
By the way the symtoms have not shown any ill effects at all.
And hehas only presented these "hiccups" three times that we are aware of.
Later on,
Dan

[tatdaddy]

Re: hiccups

What type of cage do you have glass, wood ,or plastic?

[cj99]

Re: hiccups

I have a plexiglass enclosure.

[tatdaddy]

Re: hiccups

Is the whole cage made of plexigalss?
Also is the top open or closed?

[cj99]

Re: hiccups

The walls and floor are plexiglass. The top is 1/3 screen and 2/3s plexiglass with a hinge to open.

[tatdaddy]

Re: hiccups

You can insulate your cage. I had a glass cage that I put insulation on and my temp's shot up like 20 deg.
I had to control them with a thermostat. I got the insulation at my local hardware store for under 20 bucks. Then cut it to fit and duct taped it in place. I had the bottom top and side's insulated. The type of insulation that I used was a buble type.
Try that and see if that works for you. Oh one last question what is the temp of the room that the cage is in? You want to keep the room temp aroun 78 give or take a few deg.

Tat

[SnakeDan]

Re: hiccups

CJ ,
That insulation idea should work really well.Just be sure that the humidity doesn't lower as the temp rises.
What kind of thermometers are you using ? I had some of those stick on things when I first started keeping snakes.I was lucky that I didn't cook a cornsnake I had, the darn thing was reading about 15 degrees cooler than the actual temp. I like the dual temp and humidity guages that you can pick up at Wal-Mart for about $15 or so. I haven't had any trouble out of them,at all.
Later on,
Dan

[cj99]

Re: hiccups

As is the way it usually works out, I had made an appointment for the vet but by the time I got there the symptoms had stopped. He has shown no signs since early yesterday. He is close to shedding and Im hoping it had something to do with that maybe. Not sure. Im using one of those guages you recommened for the warm side and a stick-on, on the cooler side. Thanks for the insulation tip!!!!!!!! You guys are great!