More than welcome, as always. Try feeding him a very large meal every 5 to 7 days to cause him to have to lay still and digest. Just until he heals up.



(to Rob) "Starboard" is the right side of the object of interest ("port" is left). So in this case, as the snake is the object, it would be left side of the photo, right side of the snake's head. I tried to use this to make my point of reference easier to understand and I only complicated it more, lol. 'Less is more', they say.





>>Once again, thanks to both of you for your speedy replies.

>>

>>You are both actually quite close to the cause in your opinions on my burm's mouth condition.

>>

>>Here's what the case is exactly: over the course of the past month or so he (btw, he is a 'he') has been 'nose-rubbing' the glass of his Vision cage. He has been doing this so incessantly that he is hurting himself. So far his nose isn't raw, but, there are other problems that have come of this.

>>

>>First off, his nose is getting kind of beat up looking. That is, it's rough and looks obviously like he has been rubbing. This beat up skin on his nose has led to a restriction of his nasal openings on account of the skin around the openings being crunched up. I believe that it is this restriction of his nostrils that is causing him to 'wheeze'; which sometimes almost sounds like a whistle whenever he takes a particularly big breath. This wheezing completely disappeared after his last shed; which peeled away the beat up skin and left fresh new skin that wasn't restricting his nostrils at all. Unfortunately his rubbing kept up and has since led once again to the beat up nose and wheezing.

>>

>>The other issue that has arisen due to his rubbing gives me much more cause for concern. As I sat at my computer a few nights ago I heard him rubbing and went over to see if there was anything I could do. Upon inspection of the area he was rubbing I found, and was very surprised to find, one of his teeth! He actually knocked out one of his teeth by pressing so hard on the glass trying to get out. I felt so bad that I took him out (again) for a while. But I can't always be there to take him out - and as soon as I put him back he starts up again.

>>

>>Lately (past couple of days) he has also started gently rubbing his nose and sides of his mouth everywhere. This recent rubbing is in a different manner - it's much gentler (not pushing very hard, just gliding almost). I'm guessing this has something to do with loosing one of his teeth.

>>

>>This is his tooth that I found:

>>

>>

>>I grabbed the photo tonight while he was yawning to see if I could see how much damage he had in his mouth. I figured I could look at a photo for as long as I want instead of having to hold his mouth open for as long.

>>

>>I don't think that I personally have enough experience to know a poor mouth condition when I see one. It is so unlike a human mouth that I wouldn't know where to start. I did notice the area where the tooth appears to have come out, but it doesn't seem to me to look as bad as I was expecting it might. But then again, what would I know.

>>

>>Now I just want to know if he will be able to heal from this, or am I in for a long ride to recovery with this guy. AND, what can I do about this nose rubbing thing. It was suggested to me earlier that it may be because he's looking for a female to breed, and that seems likely to me. He doesn't seem to be rubbing mindlessly, and when he is out he seems like he's on a mission. So it makes sense to me that he is looking for something in particular - say, a female for example.

>>

>>I know there is a lot in this post, and I apologize for it's lengthiness, but I just want to be sure I know as much as I can to help my burm out - after all, I am in effect his Dad, and the only one he has to rely on to take care of him.

>>

>>Thanks for reading, and I look forward to your replies,

>>- Mark

>>

>>P.S.

>>He is about three years old, nine feet ten inches, 30lbs, and friendlier even than my sister's golden retriever.

>>

>>it's hard to see in this photo that his nose is getting beat up, but then, this is from back when he first started this rubbing thing - so his nose isn't quite as bad in this photo as it has gotten).

>>

>>

>>>>I agree with Brian ...I am not a sailor so I am assuming "starboard" means the right side (right side of the picture that is). It does look a little swollen but nothing of major concern. As Brian mentioned, could be due to striking or chrnonic rubbing, getting bit by a live mouse/rat, etc. A little listerine applied with a cotton swab and dabbed on the affected area a couple of times a day for a week or so has worked well with me (for mild cases). If it gets worse, seek veterinary assistance right away.

>>

>>
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"If I had 365 enemies it would only take a year out of my life to settle all scores." Mia Miselfani

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