King snake broken jaw or something stuck in mouth? Help!

Grenadiers · 10-02-17, 06:07 PM

I was given a California king snake and he has a problem with his mouth not closing on one side. I'm not sure if it's his jaw bone sticking through or something stuck in his gums but you can clearly see it and it's a little swollen around it. I don't have the $$ to see a vet because of Harvey. A have given him 3 f/t mice since I've had him and he ate them without a problem and I've seen him drinking. If it is something stuck I might try to remove it but I would hate to find out a was pulling on his jaw bone.

Pictures are here https://imgur.com/gallery/7bHlk

**Minkness** · 10-02-17, 06:59 PM

Welcome to the forum. It looks like a bit of substrate to me, though I do suggest taking it to a vet for closer examination and removal of whatever it is.

SerpentineDream · 10-03-17, 06:20 AM

It could indeed be just a piece of bedding. You might take a pair of tweezers and very gently try to pull it free.

If it doesn't come loose then I'd be suspicious of it being some kind of growth or infection. In that case the snake *would* need to see a vet because that's definitely not a DIY job. Perhaps the vet might be willing to work with you given your circumstances.

ETA: If it is just a foreign object and you find when you remove it that there's pus or severe swelling, then that's also a vet job. Even if there isn't you'd want to keep a close eye on it for a while and watch for any signs of infection.

Grenadiers · 10-03-17, 10:03 AM

Thank you guys for your very helpful replies. So to be clear nobody thinks it could be his jaw bone? It's definitely either substrate or a growth?

**Minkness** · 10-03-17, 10:46 AM

I would say yes.

**Andy_G** · 10-03-17, 10:53 AM

That is not a jawbone. It looks like a growth to me.

Grenadiers · 10-03-17, 05:45 PM

Whatever it is it's hard (like a steak bone) and is swollen around it. It moved his jaw when I tried to move it a little with the soft end of the tooth pick. Can a growth be hard or is it definitely substrate?

TRD · 10-03-17, 06:09 PM

growth can be hard yes... if it doesn't come out easily when you try and pick it out with a pair of tweezers I would definitely opt for a ride to the nearest vet.

Grenadiers · 10-03-17, 07:34 PM

If it's more then substrate I am going to find a way to get him to the vet. Thank you guys very much for the help!

SerpentineDream · 10-04-17, 04:29 AM

Let us know what happens!