Spotted Eating Paper

[capsicum]

The other day I noticed that my male spottie, O'Thesis, had been trying to eat paper (God knows why), so I had to clean his mouth out. I took a picture beforehand, so I would have refference if he ever did it again. For now he is back on the repti carpet stuff, at least he can't eat that :(

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/5722O_Thesis_2-med.JPG

Thanks for looking.

TK

[Stockwell]

Are you sure it doesn't have mouth rot? that mouth looks mis-shapen in that pic. What's the redness and why are the gums exposed... It might just be the photo and the fact you were messing with it just prior to the photo, but it doesn't look normal in that pic

[Invictus]

That really looks like mouth rot to me as well. Get it to a vet.

[capsicum]

On our way.

TK

[Linds]

I agree, that definitely look like mouth rot to me. That asides, on the topic of paper eating. I have a Rosy Boa that I kept on newspaper for a little while who would always try to munch down on it the second there was so much as a spot of rat blood on it :flick:

[gonesnakee]

Second all above posts. Leftover "blood spots" from prey has caused me problems before. I use the blue paper towels "shop towels" & I have Calkings that have eaten them as well as my one female woma. Now if blood is noticed after feeding I will replace them with certain snakes as I know which ones like to eat them LOL. Easy to laugh now but when a baby Woma pukes up a couple super absorbent shop towels it ain't so funny when dehydration is a major concern after as it creates a major fluids loss & womas aren't big on water usually. Some of my CKs will eat try to eat anything a mouse has touched. I've also had a few incidents with them trying to eat the tongs, rubbermaids etc. Not the swiftest creatures LOL Definitely a creature of instinct, smells like food, must be food LOL Mark

[marisa]

Yeah! My cal kings do that to. Heaven forbid one blood drop is left because they will all be pushing their noses on it all night long.

I hope your snake turns out o.k! Good to hear its getting the attention it needs.

Marisa

[reptiguy420]

Yeah the mouth on that guy does not look right, good luck to you.

[capsicum]

I have been reading a lot about mouth rot, and I am just wondering what causes it? Could him eating paper or anything cause it? Thanks for the advice!

TK

[Invictus]

Eating the paper can certainly do it. Usually, it's just that something gets caught on their tooth when they are eating, and just starts to rot, causing a gum infection in its wake... other times it's improper husbandry, ie, too much humidity, mold in the environment, etc. If you can eliminate the latter, chalk it up to "just one of those damn things....."

[capsicum]

Ah, I see. When I got him he was trying to eat paper...that was just over a week ago. Thanks Ken! Will be keeping him away from paper, shavings, etc from now on :rolleyes:

TK

[Invictus]

No problem. I've got a boa constrictor right now that has it, and is going to the vet as a result, although swabbing the area with hydrogen peroxide has reduced it VERY well. The vet is just a precaution I'm taking in case there is other dental damage that I'm unaware of. Anyway, until you can get it to a vet, you may need to apply VERY small amounts of peroxide. You'll have to hold the snake gently but firmly right behind the head so it can't get away, use a Q-tip, and apply a small amount right on the area - not anywhere near enough for it to drip or allow the snake to swallow it. It'll pi$$ the snake off something fierce, but I've had success with it.

[capsicum]

Ken, thank you sooooo much for that tip! I have been worrying so much about it, just wondering what I should do in the mean time. Thanks again :)

TK

PS What other home things should I do? I have his heat set 24/7 as I found online, but anything else? TY in advance!