Mouth Rot

[Xander]

I have a large RTB with early stages of mouth rot, but the problem is no vets around here will treat reptiles of any kind. So if anyone knowsa how to get rid of mouth rot with out seeing a vet then i would really like to know.

[XzyluM]

Re:Mouth Rot

You should still make a trip to the vet. As you will more than likely need a prescribed antibiotic. You are going to need to clean the boa's mouth out daily. Use a 50/50 listerine and water solution. You will need a cotton tipped applicator to do this. All residue needs to be swabbed out. Be careful when doing this as you can harm your snake further. May need to do this at least twice a day depending on how bad it is. You should remove your current substrate and put your boa on either paper towels or newspaper. It may also be a good idea to lower the humidity as this can relate to bacteria build up.

[BMoore]

Re:Mouth Rot

Speaking of it........ What causes mouth rot? Is it easy to get it? What are the sign's?

**Beth**

[___LEE___]

Re:Mouth Rot

I KNOW FEEDING LIVE CAN CAUSE MOUTH ROT IF THE SNAKE IS INJURED IN THE MOUTH AREA IF THEY GET SCRATCHED OR BIT AND SO FORTH THE BACTERIA WILL GROW IN THE WOUND AND CAUSE A INFECTION THUS MOUTH ROT. I DO BELIEVE AT LEAST THIS IS HOW I UNDERSTAND STEVE WEHRE U AT OR CLAY SOME ONE LET ME KNOW IF I AM RIGHT PLEASE LOL DON'T WANT TO GIVE WRONG INFO.


LEE

[sclark]

Re:Mouth Rot

Hello Xander,

I agree with what Xzylum said, except I would use a 50/50 mix of peroxide and swab the gums and affected areas 3 times a day. Drop the humidity to about 30-40% and up the heat by a few degree's.. And if the snake is not already on newspaper I would put him on it..

Depending on the degree of mouth rot it could warrent a trip to the vet for some meds.. But if its the very start, do what was mentioned for a week has done wonders.

Also unless your snake is really thin, I would cancel a couple of meals..

Good luck and keep us posted..

Steve

[sclark]

Re:Mouth Rot

Hey Beth,

Lee is correct. Any trama to the jaw, mouth, gums, teeth, rubbing their nose on a scrren top, etc can cause mouth rot. The trama causes the natural bactiera to be displaced and allows bad bactiera to start an infection..

Hope that helps..
Steve

[BMoore]

Re:Mouth Rot

So do you check your snakes mouths every so often or only when you suspect it? How do you get them to open thier mouth? I hate to hold mine by their heads...........

**Beth**

[sclark]

Re:Mouth Rot

Hey Beth..

Truth is I only check my snakes when they are acting funny or I see something odd, like swelling around the mouth, or refusing food, or mouth gapping, etc... I do check all the rescues within 48 hours of arriving to make sure no issues that need to be taken cared of..

Now to get their mouth open.. Normally I use a popsicle stick and just be careful.. If I am out and can't find a popsicle stick, I use a credit card.. To be safe you need to secure then just behind their jaw...

Hope that helps..
Steve

[tofutedm]

Re:Mouth Rot

Uhhhh.....this may be a dumb question, but what does mouth rot look like? I've never had any health problems with my ball python, but it would be good to know just in case.

[sclark]

Re:Mouth Rot

hey tofu,

not a dumb question at all.. it sometimes looks red and swollen, sometimes like little blisters, real bad cases the gums and the roof of the mouth are very swollen, so much so you can't see the teeth and sometimes the mouth won't close in real bad cases,, sorry not typed the best.. my female surinam is taking use of my one hand...lol

steve

[tofutedm]

Re:Mouth Rot

Thanks Steve. Maybe she'll learn to type for you (heh heh). I'm so excited about the arrival of my baby. I just want to know what to look for so any problems like mouth rot can be taken care of ASAP.

[BMoore]

Re:Mouth Rot

I don't really suspect any of my snakes have it, I was just wondering for future reference. I try to cram as much info as I can into this brain of mine. Thanks for all the info guys.

**Beth**

[Doug]

Re:Mouth Rot

HI,
this is post is about the mouth rot issue question at the begining of this post.

I would like to suggest you review your cage temps and humidity and over all health of your snake. Many problems are related to complex issues that may be overlooked. Feeding in the cage with wood bark can cause problems. certian low temp gradients can lead to immune supression and abnormal flora. parasite loads can cause problems..
Most of the health problems covered in a recent reptile magazine where the results of animal husbandry issue over looked leading to other problems that became re-occuring even post treatment with antibiotics and medication, the first question every vet should ask is descibe your cage ...
doug :P
are your ambients good warm and cool.

I did considerable research today on causes and effects of mouth rot, and the bottom line is its a symptom of a larger problem. > your animal has an infection in his mouth because his immune sysytem is compramised from either improper temps or parasites either mites and or internal parasite. You will probably need to see a vet. Be sure no part of your cage is Less than 82 degrees, according to the information I ve read a common reptile bacteria (aeromonas hydriphilia) is causing the infection and this can only occur in a weakened or immune compramised snake. Things that help a boa's immune system is heat. min 82 cool 88 warm while sick
You can read a very imformative article in this months reptile magazine written about reptile disease
Reptiles magazine OCt issue.
good luck find a good reptile vet in your area. describe your cage and your heat sources are they enclosed or does your cage have a screen top....
:P

here's a national list of reptile vet's give it a try.
:P

http://www.herpvetconnection.com/