I have a speckled kingsnake who had a bad spot under her chin where an old scale didn't shed properly. I have dealt with that before and that it didn't seem like avery big deal. I used warm water, rubbed it with a towel and it peeled back from the healthy scale, then it picked right off with tweezers and inspected for foreign material. There was a scab looking yellowish/brown spot where it had been attached and I washed everything with plain clean warm water and put her back. A week later (yesterday) I notice that the right side of her face is swollen. (she is very dusky in shed) I inspected inside her mouth for lesions or cuts or foreign material and it all looks normal and very clean with no noticable swelling inside. I inspected under her chin, which is NOT swollen and it appeared as it did before and should until she sheds.
There is a yellowish/brown spot just below and behind the eye. I am going to assume due to swelling that this is an infection.
The only other thing I've seen on her is that she has discharged one or two tiny drops of blood from the cloatia.
I keep cages very clean. She is on newspaper with access to fresh water all the time. Clean hide boxes. 50-60% humidity. There is nothing to irritate scratch or give splinters. And she is not housed with any other animals, nor has she been in contact with any. She is mite free and healthy otherwise and eats sml mice once per week liek clock work.
Any ideas what caused it?
Should I use antibiotics?
Does she need more heat or less to fight the infection?
etc.
any help is much appreciated.
-MAC-
