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Setup:
- Housing: Was in a 41 qt Steralite bin, which he was previously housed in at his old home. Recently swapped to a Hefty bin the same size, but taller (LATCHING LIDS GUYS!). Will be moved to a Christmas tree box when those hit the shelves. Paper towels are used as substrate.
- Humidity: 50-60%
- Temps: Ambient- 79-81F, Hot spot- Low-mid 90s. Heat pad regulated with Ranco thermostat
About the snake: He is about 5 years old and was given to me by long-time family friend, [MENTION=7407]zamora[/MENTION] last November.
Hello! In early April, I noticed some swelling in my boa’s mouth. I ended up taking him in to a reptile vet, where he was treated for an abscessed tooth with gentacin injections and oral amoxicillin. I also had to put a gentacin-based ointment (Gentak) in the abscess cavity daily. My boy is a champ dealing with all of that. I have no idea what caused it since I am pretty anal about my husbandry. I brushed it off as a freak accident, and took steps to prevent it from happening again.
I changed his water bowl from a pourous stone-like material from petco (seemed like a breeding ground for bacteria) to a plastic dog bowl, which he can’t tip and can be cleaned easier. I change his water daily and disinfect the bowl every time. I lowered his humidity. It used to get up into the high 60’s, so a few new holes in his bin and it sits pretty constantly within 50-60% now. I don’t let him sit in his waste ever- not that I did before the abscess. Anything I saw as a potential cause was fixed.
Anyways, even with all of those steps it looks like it was not enough. Here we are months later, and there is some swelling on the other side of his mouth, which looks like the same thing. He has an appointment with the vet at 2:00 today. Unfortunately, the boyfriend was roped in to taking him because my class schedule wouldn’t allow me to sneak away today. I’m sending him with a bunch of notes for the vet. Haha! I am honestly at a loss as to what is causing it, and as a broke college student, I can’t afford to keep treating it if it’s going to be a recurring problem. Plus, if my care is causing him to get sick, I can’t keep letting him suffer. I may end up having to sell/give him to a more experienced keeper, as much as I would hate to let him go. If anyone has any input, I would be very grateful! Zamora and I have been in constant contact about it, but we are both at a loss.
- Housing: Was in a 41 qt Steralite bin, which he was previously housed in at his old home. Recently swapped to a Hefty bin the same size, but taller (LATCHING LIDS GUYS!). Will be moved to a Christmas tree box when those hit the shelves. Paper towels are used as substrate.
- Humidity: 50-60%
- Temps: Ambient- 79-81F, Hot spot- Low-mid 90s. Heat pad regulated with Ranco thermostat
About the snake: He is about 5 years old and was given to me by long-time family friend, [MENTION=7407]zamora[/MENTION] last November.
Hello! In early April, I noticed some swelling in my boa’s mouth. I ended up taking him in to a reptile vet, where he was treated for an abscessed tooth with gentacin injections and oral amoxicillin. I also had to put a gentacin-based ointment (Gentak) in the abscess cavity daily. My boy is a champ dealing with all of that. I have no idea what caused it since I am pretty anal about my husbandry. I brushed it off as a freak accident, and took steps to prevent it from happening again.
I changed his water bowl from a pourous stone-like material from petco (seemed like a breeding ground for bacteria) to a plastic dog bowl, which he can’t tip and can be cleaned easier. I change his water daily and disinfect the bowl every time. I lowered his humidity. It used to get up into the high 60’s, so a few new holes in his bin and it sits pretty constantly within 50-60% now. I don’t let him sit in his waste ever- not that I did before the abscess. Anything I saw as a potential cause was fixed.
Anyways, even with all of those steps it looks like it was not enough. Here we are months later, and there is some swelling on the other side of his mouth, which looks like the same thing. He has an appointment with the vet at 2:00 today. Unfortunately, the boyfriend was roped in to taking him because my class schedule wouldn’t allow me to sneak away today. I’m sending him with a bunch of notes for the vet. Haha! I am honestly at a loss as to what is causing it, and as a broke college student, I can’t afford to keep treating it if it’s going to be a recurring problem. Plus, if my care is causing him to get sick, I can’t keep letting him suffer. I may end up having to sell/give him to a more experienced keeper, as much as I would hate to let him go. If anyone has any input, I would be very grateful! Zamora and I have been in constant contact about it, but we are both at a loss.
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