If what you are seeing is pus from the infection, and the upper lip appears swollen, topical solutions will have little effect. A vet visit appears to be in order on this one. This snake will most likely need systemic antibiotic treatment to resolve this infection. Topical solutions like Betadine, or better yet, a topical antibiotic ointment like Polysporin or Neosporin, will only work well if the wound is caught in the early stages and has not penetrated too deeply. Once it becomes a deep tissue infection, antibiotics are usually required.

On an additional note, you should never use hydrogen peroxide on a wound. Your best bet on a small wound caught early is to use Polysporin or Neosporin as stated above, or if those are not available, a Betadine solution as Caden suggested. Hydrogen peroxide causes minor tissue damage around the edges of the wound and significantly slows the healing process. It can still be used safely to clean healthy, undamaged tissue however.

Please let us know how everthing turns out.

Kelly

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