Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am having a tough time getting Moxie's mouth open long enough to medicate him. Every time I try holding his head behind the jaw (between my thumb and forefinger), he pulls it back in, and I'm afraid to hold on too hard, his head is so little. Is there any safe tool I can use to pry his mouth open? The vet made it look so easy!
-----
Jeannie

0.0.1 California King Snake (Rex)
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa (Lucas)
0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa (Bella)
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake (Bess)
1.1 Rubber Boas (Isaiah & Esther)
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise (Moxie)
2.0 DSH Cats (Amos & Silas)
1.0 English Springer Spaniel (Jimmy)
and...
2.0 Kids
1.0 Husband

If you've seen this done by your vet, you have the technique. The main mistake most folks make is that they try too hard. You have to, kind of, get the trust of the little guy. You apply pressure to the lower jaw but just enough... You don't want to try and force it or the littley guy will get frightened and just want to close it tighter and withdraw.
I always suggest the whenever you pick him up go ahead and gently grasp the head and open the mouth and have a peek. What you are looking for is a clean, pink tongue. Not only are you checking out the general health but you are getting this guy acustomed to the action which makes it easier to administer meds and whatnot. The point is that you have to gain the tortoises trust and get it to see that it is in no danger. This can take time in some cases. I've got some tortoises that I've been working on for 2 years and I still don't have their trust but you can see progress...
Ed

np
-----
Jeannie

0.0.1 California King Snake (Rex)
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa (Lucas)
0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa (Bella)
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake (Bess)
1.1 Rubber Boas (Isaiah & Esther)
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise (Moxie)
2.0 DSH Cats (Amos & Silas)
1.0 English Springer Spaniel (Jimmy)
and...
2.0 Kids
1.0 Husband

Should you need to open its mouth for meds or a casual check and you have the type of animal that won't let you simply open it and you don't have the luxury of waiting around or have too many animals to train, you need to incorporate some gentle force.

Best with the help of a partner. Coax animal's head and neck to extend. Then, using your thumb and forefinger to "pinch" behind the head (works best with an anapsid or bulbus-like head) to prevent animal for pulling back into shell. Have your partner then open lower jaw with forefinger. If jaw is too tight, try using the corner of a thin but firm credit card and go in from the side. Once in, "square" the card to prevent mouth closure then do what you need to do- check, administer meds, etc.

is by far the easiest method in the long run. As I said, I've got one species that this is taking me a long time to condition but I've managed this with about 15 species. The important point is to condition them early and maintain the pattern even if they are healthy. Being forceful will only continue to get harder because the do 'learn' what is coming. (and yes, as with any statement, there are exceptions) I can count on one hand the number of tortoises that this did not work for me.
Ed