clicking noise when breathing

[hermannstig]

When I was handling the hatchlings today I noticed a click when they're breathing, this wasn't every breath and they don't seem to be struggling in any way. All 4 are doing this so obviously its a worry.
They are all very active, eating well and their noses are dry no mucus or anything & no open mouth breathing.
They are all gaining about a gram a week they all weigh between 16.5 &18 grammes , pooping, drinking & doing everything they should be apart from this strange clicking noise.
There enclosure is 3ft by 18 inches its a plastic underbed storage box the a mesh lid. They're on top soil that's dampened every other day to keep it at the same consistency as it would be outside. They're bathed in warm water for 10 minutes every morning. They're fed on mosty plantain with other weeds mixed with in with it, holly hock, dandilions, sow thistle, pansies, hawk bit & clover are the ones I'm still able to find at the moment.
Their basking spot is 33C and the cool end is between 19C & 20C depending on the time of day it drops to 18C at night.
Their soil was a little dried out this morning but not so much that it was dusty.
Does this sound like they are ill or the start of a RI?
Thanks in advance for any help given.



Kerry x

[Alan1]

I don't know what you can do other than watch them very closely but I'd have the temperature a bit higher at night, maybe up to 25c for a while

[Emilyjayne2012]

I have a 16 month old Spur Thighed who did this for the first 2 weeks I had him. I was really worried and took him to my vet who is a reptile specialist and the vet said its nothing to worry about. As long as his nose wasnt runny and he was eating peeing and pooping then he said he is fine. He didnt really have an explination of what it was he said hes seen it a lot before and its always in the young ones. If they are acting normal in every other way and no signs of them being unwell I wouldnt worry too much, just keep an eye on it. But I remember how much I panicked when mine did it so I understand the the feeling!

[Suze65]

Sometimes a couple of mine whistle slightly when breathing, my vet said so long as they don't have a runny nose, don't worry, it could just be a bit of dust up the nose. I don't do any thing and it does go away. So I would say just keep an eye on it, look out for runny nose. Everything else sounds good.

[hermannstig]

thanks for the replies, I was going to phone the vet today but only 1 is doing it now so I think I'm going to hold off and keep an eye on them.
I can't explain the noise but I'm not convinced its coming from their chest it sounds like its coming from either their mouth or nose it kind of sounds like a knuckle cracking only quieter




Kerry x

[Easter Bunny]

One of mine does that noise when she breathes but not all the time..she hasn't got a runny nose and eats well etc. I was worried at first but have been told its ok x

[hermannstig]

They have the vet on Thursday just to be on the safe side as they were doing it again this morning I'm scared I leave it too long if it is something to be worried about as they are so little.
Fingers crossed they're ok they still seem fine I'm sure I'm worrying over nothing but I just want to put my mind at ease.




Kerry x

[shellonia]

A lot of tortoises make a clicking noise now and then. Unless other signs develop it's not too much too worry about. Maybe substrate a bit too dry or they ate something juicy or even got their bath water up their nose...........hope nothing develops. Think tortoises are too often put on antibiotics and then they don't work when they reaaly need them. My vet is a stickler that with proper husbandry/temps they should be able to overcome minor problems. he's afraid of creating 'superbugs'

[hermannstig]

I cancelled the vet appointment a friend of mine rescues reptiles and has been advising me.
I've been keeping them at a constant 24c day and night and it seems to have helped. She suggested I do this for a few months.
She also suggested putting them in a vivarium over winter and not spraying the soil so much. She suggested putting them on paper towels for the time being and just providing a sleep box with soil in so they can still burrow at night if they want.
I don't have a vivarium yet I'm getting a lend of one on Monday so for the time being I'm stopped spraying the soil & gave them a humid hide instead and I'm giving them overnight heat with a red bulb to keep it at 24c.
Does all that sound ok?


Kerry x