Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello I have an 03 boa and just noticed the bottom jaw looks slightly larger than the male I have. Is this a good sign to take it to a vet, or is there something I can do at home before spending alot of money? I have seen on-line about 50/50 peroxide water solutions to clean the mouth is that a start? Thanks Matt

I'd check the inside of the mouth first, I'd hate to see you go through all that if the snake just happens to have a differently shaped face. Look for any discoloration in the mouth, it should be nice and pink. If it looks like the jaw is getting any bigger, that's a bad sign too.
-----
Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

How on earth do you do thaT? I got her out and know luck. I also noticed today her eyes are cloudy(getting ready to shed). Would that make her jaw look slightly swollen? Thanks Matt

Ok, I thought about this and I think I figured it out. Put the snake in a pillowcase so just the head is sticking out, then hold the head gently with one hand and with the other pry the mouth open gently with something like a popsicle stick or credit card. If you're in good lighting you should be able to detect any problems in a few seconds.
I don't have any Boa boas, so I don't know if shedding makes them look different or not.
-----
Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

Thanks for the advice I will try this when I wake up. Ill post a message and tell you what I find. Hopefully nothing. Thanks Matt

Hi Matt –

To be honest, I can’t say anything about whether your snake has mouth rot or not. But, let me throw out a couple of things.

First, it’s kind of like if your jaw was infected and rotting. You’d probably need more aggressive treatment than topical application of peroxide and water. On the other hand, if your mouth problem was really minor, improved hygiene might be all you need.

If you do decide to forcibly restrain your snake to look inside its mouth while it is in the middle of the shed process where the new and old layers of skin are separating, just be aware that you could cause damage. It is sometimes hard to keep a snake from thrashing about when you restrain it by the neck.

Good Luck,
Joan

Well I decided to just to feed them and after they bite the prey shine a bright flashlight in there mouths, and it worked. All the boas have light pink mouths with no mucusy looking stuff. I have seen a bunch of pictures of mouth rot and I think I could tell if they had it. Anyway I will keep an eye on them and I greatly appreciate the replys. Thanks Matt

That was a good idea, my brain didn't process the fact that the snake was shedding. Oops!
-----
Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?