Mouth rot?!

[Akuma223]

(re-posted from varanidae forum)
I think Oliver may have mouth rot, long after eating he will have blood around his mouth (just a little ring on his lips) and today I was picking at some stuck shed on his head and noticed that at the very corners of his mouth looked real dirty so I scraped at it with the tweezers. This disgusting black stuff came away and was noticeably smelly. He also makes strange noises when he moves his head or shifting while lying down. Kinda like a strange rhythmic chuffing that doesn't seem normal. When he eats I look into his mouth and his gums seem pale pink but they have always been that way? His breath doesn't stink at all from what I can tell and there is no change in attitude from him.

So ummm, what do?

[smy_749]

Vet. Could be nothing , or just a tooth issue causing bleeding. Could also be something stuck in his mouth. The smelly black stuff is not normal. Keep us posted.

[millertime89]

Vet. Could be nothing , or just a tooth issue causing bleeding. Could also be something stuck in his mouth. The smelly black stuff is not normal. Keep us posted.

100% this.

[Akuma223]

Okay, is there a way to find vets that have experience with varanids?

[millertime89]

Your best bet is to ask locals or call around and ask vets if they have significant experience with varanids. You'll get some that will lie to try and get your business so I find it's best to ask specifically which species they've dealt with and don't say "monitor" and then ask a few specific questions that can be used to determine if they're a dog/cat generalist or if they actually have experience. That's what I do when determining if I want to take my animals to that vet or not.

[smy_749]

You are in NY, talk to John Adragna from Cybersalvator on facebook. You might have to take a drive though...I know bronx zoo does checkups as well because a friend brings his animals there, but I dont know if that is an option for the general public.