*help* im worried

[munchy]

okay its like this. my bp has recently slowed down his eating due to winter im guessing but will still eat occasionally eat a mouse or small rat. i got him to eat a sub-adult mouse last night. that was the first time in a couple weeks i have been able to get him to eat. he is being kept at 90* on the hot side and about 80-82* on the cool side. humidity 50%. i dont know if any of that is relevant to my problem but i just wanted to provide some info.

so today i had him out of his enclosure for a while and he seemed completely normal, moving around and checkin things out like he always does when i have him out. after having him out for about 20 minutes i noticed something. when he would flick his tongue onto my skin, there would be little spots of red stuff which resembled blood. in fact, as much as i want to think it wasnt blood, im pretty sure it was.

does this mean it is time to go see a vet? is it possible that he maybe bit his tongue? has this happened to anyone else? what could it be? perhaps blood left over from a small feeding last night? the outside of his mouth appears fine. no cuts, scratches, or abrasions. the 'blood' is coming from inside the mouth. any help would be much appreciated.

[munchy]

is there any way i can get him to open his mouth so i can see what the problem is?

[sapphire_moon]

try using the middle part of a cotton swab, gently hold his head and kind of roll it between his "lips" to get him to open his mouth....and try to see what you can, if he won't open for you. Try taking him to someone more experienced. Maybe a friend or if possible the person you bought the bp from may be able to help you. Just be very gentle so you don't rip out any teeth. If you feel unsure about it, then take him to the vet with a fresh fecal if possible (always handy, the vet might ask for one)

[daver676]

If your going to use a q-tip, make sure you cut the cotton ends of. The last thing you want is a snake with a mouthful of cotton.

[BurmBaroness]

ALso, if you feed, you should wait 48 hours at least before handling.

[sapphire_moon]

Oh yes thank you! I forgot that!!!

[mykee]

Aside from your problem which I unfortunately know nothing about, I would increase your hot spot a few degrees, to as much as 5 or 6.