Advice for mouth infection

Boa Dave · 03-31-20, 05:02 PM

Looking for advice on a mouth infection my columbian boa has gotten.
Please let me make it clear I am not trying to avoid a vet visit. Vets in my area that will look at a reptile are very hard to find and with this whole COVID-19 thing going on, most are not taking appointments.

The infection is not severe. Yet. It appears to be only on one side, and near the outer edge. It has started to affect the alignment of her lips.

I think it may have started because I tried changing from newspaper bedding to pine shavings. Should have known better. She was fine for years on newspaper. So was every snake I ever owned.

I have now switched her to astro turf. She is active and I am letting her get exercise on sunny days. Of course her appetite has dwindled but she was such a healthy eater she is in no immediate danger there.

Should I try to swab her with peroxide or anything else while I wait on an open vet appointment?

Any advice is appreciated.
Thank you.

chairman · 04-01-20, 09:28 AM

The only product that I'm aware of that can be used to treat mouth injuries in reptiles is chamomile tea. There are probably others but I'd want to get a veterinarian's advice on something that is going to be ingested.

I would look in to flushing the area with either water or the tea. I'd also check to see if there's still anything stuck in there, like a stray wood shaving.

My understanding is that you can pour chamomile tea in to the snake's water to create a dilute solution that is safe for the snake to drink and will help clean things out.

I know that a lot of veterinarians are reluctant to do so, but any chance you can call yours and get a suggestion for care prior to the visit? If you tell the vet that you are going to attempt first aid options to stop things from getting worse then you might find yourself with an appointment sooner rather than later.

Herpin' Man · 04-01-20, 11:13 AM

A photo would help. Could it be mouth rot? Mouth rot is typically an infection and swelling of the gums, giving the animal a "fat lip" appearance.
If so-
I have successfully used betadine on the affected area, followed by an application of triple antibiotic ointment. Some people suggest squeezing the pus out. If you do this, extreme care must be taken not to cause further injury. I'm not convinced this step is always necessary.
The most important thing is to keep the snake's enclosure sufficiently warm, and immaculately clean. If this is done, mild cases may clear up without veterianary treatment.

Boa Dave · 04-10-20, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herpin' Man

A photo would help. Could it be mouth rot? Mouth rot is typically an infection and swelling of the gums, giving the animal a "fat lip" appearance.
If so-
I have successfully used betadine on the affected area, followed by an application of triple antibiotic ointment. Some people suggest squeezing the pus out. If you do this, extreme care must be taken not to cause further injury. I'm not convinced this step is always necessary.
The most important thing is to keep the snake's enclosure sufficiently warm, and immaculately clean. If this is done, mild cases may clear up without veterianary treatment.

Thank you both. Already started Betadine treatments. Still just a mild case. Sorry for the lack of photos. I still think it was due to the wood shavings. She now is back to her normal clean environment with Astroturf.

toddnbecka · 04-10-20, 11:36 AM

For mouth rot, you can use hydrogen peroxide, applied daily, until the problem is resolved. Usually takes some number of weeks.

Astroturf isn't a good substrate option, does nothing for humidity. I use cypress mulch for my boas, keeping it damp (not saturated) maintains a good humidity level for them.

Boa Dave · 04-15-20, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

For mouth rot, you can use hydrogen peroxide, applied daily, until the problem is resolved. Usually takes some number of weeks.

Astroturf isn't a good substrate option, does nothing for humidity. I use cypress mulch for my boas, keeping it damp (not saturated) maintains a good humidity level for them.

Good advice. Thank you. I started cleaning her mouth out with Betadine saturated QTips. Got a lot of infection out on first treatment. Less on 2nd. Mouth is starting to look a lot better and pinker. Things are looking up. She's been great through the whole thing, even opening her mouth to let me clean.

Thanks for the reply.

rafi_eaa · 04-22-20, 10:48 PM

hello, i have a tiger het albino reticulatus python, i've noticed a black spot under its mouth since yesterday as shown in the picture, i fed it three mouse where one of the mice was open from the stomach since the mice started eating each other out and ate pieces of the plastic basket from where i kept the mice in, it was the last pieces of snake food i had left, should i be concerned? can anybody help me please? im scared if it is a symptoms or mouth rot, if it is can someone suggest of what i should do to take care of it? thank you