Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About a month ago I traded in a corn snake for a sub-adult female ball python. For the time I had her, she wouldnt eat. I thought it was normal, but I decided to take her into the local pet-shop to see if there was anything physically wrong with her.

Turns out, she had mouth rot. Every time I got near her, she'd strike. These guys just grabbed her by the head and looked at her, but I'm no expert and didn't want to hurt her. Anyways, I had my male ball in with her probably for 8-10 hours total over the month. I don't know how long she's had it, but is there a chance my male can catch it? I looked it up on the internet, but havent discovered if it's contagious.

Thanks!
Ryan

Stomatitis (mouth rot) in and of itself is not contagious. However, the bacterium that cause it can be transmitted from one animal to another. It won't likely cause any problems unless there is an open wound to provide an infection path.

Generally Stomatitis gets it's start from a small injury in the snake's mouth...maybe the snake pulled a tooth out biting something (or someone), or was bitten by a prey item. The bacteria can then get into the mouth tissue through the wound and cause an infection. Stomatitis is usually marked by loss of appetite, swelling of the mouth, and a cheesy-looking pus discharge. The best course of action is to keep the infected area clean by swabbing it out daily with Q-tips and Hydrogen Peroxide, in addition to antibiotic therapy. Most of the time it will respond to one of the 3rd generation Cephalosporins such as Ceftazadime, or something like Enrofloxacin. I prefer not to use Enrofloxacin unless I really have to because it's such a harsh drug. A culture/sensitivity test is a good idea. That way, you aren't guessing at what drug to use.
-----
We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank you. I don't have the snake anymore, so I don't have to treat it. I believe the snake already had mouth rot when I got it, but I'm not sure. Last week, my dad fed her while I was gone, and left them unattended. When I got home, I had a cow because the mouse was still in there, uneaten. She wouldn't let me get close enough to check for wounds, but the guy at the shop checked her and she had a sore or bite on her. I just figured that the reason for her not eating was the mouth rot, but I can't be sure. I traded her in for a different girl, and immediatly changed the substrate, threw away the hide box (it was a shoe-box, no big deal) and cleaned the whole thing out before I let her in. The guy said to because she could have left some saliva in there, and I didn't want this girl to catch it.

Thanks!
Ryan