Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys,
Today when my bp was yawning I noticed a pebble sized purple bump toward the front of the lower jaw, just inside the lip. I then saw that even when his mouth closed, the right side of his jaw remained slightly open due to the lump. He has failed to feed in the last four weeks, and about three weeks ago he struck a rat, causing it bleed but didnt seem able to hold on. Has anyone witnessed these symptoms? Treatment ideas?
Thanks a lot.

Step 1: Figure out what the lump is. Is it a lump in the flesh or is something stuck in the jaw/teeth? If it's something stuck, go to Step 2. If it's a lump in the flesh, go to Step 3. If you don't know what exactly the lump might be, go to Step 3.

Step 2: Get a q-tip. Get it wet. Gently rub the thingamajiggy until it is no longer stuck in the teeth. If it doesn't budge or seems imbedded in the flesh, go to Step 3.

Step 3: GO TO A VET. A good reptile vet, preferably, but if all else fails go to a vet that's comfortable handling snakes. They'll be able to use their special vet tools and antibiotics to get the lump removed with minimal fuss to the snake. If you're unsure of what the lump is, the vet will also be able to help figure that out.

Good luck!

~jenny

PS: For future reference, if you can get pictures, that usually helps too. Get someone to help you take the pictures, since bad pictures are about a good as no pictures at all.
-----
"The python has, and I fib no fibs,
318 pairs of ribs.
In stating this I place reliance
On a seance with one who died for science
This figure is sworn to and attested,
He counted them while being digested."
~Ogden Nash

jenny.thegreenes.org

"If you're happy and you know it,
Bomb Iraq!
If you cannot find Osama,
Bomb Iraq!
If the terrorists are frisky,
Pakistan is looking shifty,
North Korea is too risky,
Bomb Iraq!

I think there are a couple of veins, one on either side of the breathing tube.

Maybe the rat bit the vein or something?

If you think you can do this without bursting the mass inside his jaw, have someone hold the snake, and use a popcicle stick or pen to hold open the mouth and take pictures.

If it is on the gum line it may be a broken tooth that failed to come out of the gum and may be getting infected , or a new tooth that has failed to emerge for one reason or another . But you need to take it to a Vet to have it looked at . Thanks David of DS Reptile Rescue