Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey,
I just bought a new large male burmese python..he is about 100 pounds..any ways..he eats great without any problems..but i'm lokin for some advice on the situatiom..his two heat pits on the top of his mouth are like blocked up..looks like a scab of some sort..and its pink...I want to take him to the vet...but maybe its a problem i can fix on my own..any advice or any oitment i can put on it...but he is healthy and eats awsome..and an awsome snake..very friendly

We frequently see this problem with adult burms but primarily clogged nostrils. We will use a syringe of warm water and coat the affected area thus loosening the caky matter. We also have a nice, little pair of blunt tweezers that allows us to gently pick the stuff out of the nostrils. You may be able to do the same with the heat sensing labial pits but be very careful. Of course, if you have any doubts, seek veterinary assistance. Rob

I just want to offer one note to keep in mind if anyone chooses to use your method of bathing the nostrils with warm water to loosen dried, cakey phlegm.

Some time ago my burm had a cold, not too bad, but enough so that his nostrils were caked with phlegm. I too had the idea of softening the phlegm with warm water to help get it out. I put him into a warm bath to soak for a few - which he liked very much (he, as most burms probably do, loves water).

After a short while, as the warm water and humid air began to soften the phlegm crust in his nostrils, he suddenly started to have a very difficult time breathing - VERY difficult. It was enough that I was immediately very worried for him.

Apparently, the softening was so effective that he hadn't had a chance to clear any of the mucous before it had all softened and swelled in his nostrils. It was very sticky and not easily cleared. It took a good amount of sneezing on his behalf, and a good amount of gentle, patient rinsing and wiping on my behalf before he was able to breathe freely through his nose again.

It was startling to see him nearly unable to breathe. I might just suggest to carefully watch if you try this approach, and be ready to help your burm blow his nose (so to speak).

- Mark

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