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I have a nagging problem perhaps you all can help with. Have a 15 year old Black Rat. Developed a nasty crust around his mouth. Saliva was cultured and skin scraped...came back negative for mouth rot or RI. Vet's explanation---due to advanced age saliva has become thick and is hardening. Snake continues to hace crust (going on a year. Other than this problem snakes appears to be fine.

Recently aqcuired young female Corn. Other then some minor shedding problems (which I suspect are humitidy related) she has been fine. Just recently she too has developed a slight crust around mouth. She is mouth breathing and there seems to be some bubbling. She will go to the vet ASAP.

Has anyone had similar problems with Elaphe snakes. Is this a common problem with the genus.
Also does anyone buy the old age explanation for the crust?

Any ideas or comments are appreciated.

Thanks
Steve

I would get a second opinion.Dried up spit isnt a very good answer.Do either snakes hold there heads up strait into the air?Any raspy breathing?I would turn the heat up to about 85 and get some moisture in there...Im not a vet but it sure sounds like RI....Paul..

I dont know about making it more humid in the snakes cage if it is a RI. Doesnt excessive humidity cause RI in snakes that are not used to high humidity?? But if the other snake has developed the same symtoms, then a trip to another vet for a 2nd opinion is most definitely a must! I wouldnt put it off.
Let us know how things turn out.

>>I would get a second opinion.Dried up spit isnt a very good answer.Do either snakes hold there heads up strait into the air?Any raspy breathing?I would turn the heat up to about 85 and get some moisture in there...Im not a vet but it sure sounds like RI....Paul..
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Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

I have also heard that, but then I have heard that humidity being too low can irritate the lung tisse and lead to respitory problems. For a sick snake I would recommend getting a humidity gauge and checking to make sure the humidity stays at a good level. My snakes do okay at about 50% which is moderate but I would double check with a vet if one of them got sick.
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Anna

The Zoo
Corns
1.0 Snow - Cornelius
1.1 Ghost(pastel) - Eek & Boo
1.1 Amel - Parker & Scarlet
0.1 Hypo - Nikko
0.1 Anery - Missy
0.1 Hypo Motley - Cordelia aka Cordy
Boas
0.1 Columbian (BCC) - Bella
Lizards
0.0.1 Leopard Gecko - Leo
Rats
0.1 Dumbo - Moon
1.0 Rex - Pluto
Cats
1.1 Siamese - Blue & Fiona
0.1 Gray DMS - Druscilla aka Dru
Horses
1.0 Thourghbred (Hunter/Jumper) - Morgan's Majesty aka Cody

i agree with paul..get a second opinion from a different vet
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0.0.1 pacific gopher snake ; Mich
0.0.1 amel corn snake ; Andy
0.0.1 motley corn snake ; Shmee